Dave Engebretson: Sneaky City Leaders, Shame on Them

To the Editor:

Have you ever wondered how a city can establish a new source of revenue with hardly a notication to the public.  Well it’s happening right in front of my eyes with barely a comment from anyone who represents you on the Fargo City Commission other than Mike Williams.
Commissioner Williams at least put the new fee recommendation for the city street lighting expense on hold for 2 weeks, otherwise a hefty monthly fee would be added to your utility bill (8% increase or more).  Time to bug the Mayor and the other commissioners who support this massive increase.  Just call them or email them that this is not the proper way to increase revenue for the city.  No matter how anyone tries to make the cost fair by use of a fee, the billing system will not be fair.
Bottom line, this idea to take the current street lighting expense out of the general budget and start charging a new fee is nothing more than a sneaky way to raise your taxes without telling the taxpayers.  Thanks to Mike for challenging this sneaky little trick by a few of your city leaders.

Dave Engebretson
Fargo