expressing concern that the mayor didn't appoint a city manager
until last week. That meant the manager was not in place in time
to help put together and balance the budget."I don't believe this
has been a proper process," she said."
In a 4-2 vote, city leaders passed a one-half point increase.
The rate will rise from 3.65 to 4.15, annually costing property
owners an additional $20 per $100,000 of assessed value.
The average Snellville home is worth $150,000, which would
see a $30 rise in property taxes, city officials said."
.....Councilwoman Kelly Kautz refused to vote on the measure,
expressing concern that the mayor didn't appoint a city manager
until last week. That meant the manager was not in place in time
to help put together and balance the budget.
"I don't believe this has been a proper process," she said.
Kautz's abstention, under the Snellville charter,
counts as an affirmative vote."
I'm more upset about that than the tax going up.
Tax going up makes sense at least.
AJC Reports
But consider the alternative... an abstention should not be the `coward`s way` to kill a motion. If you are for something, VOTE for it. If you are opposed, VOTE against it.
ReplyDeleteActually, Kautz' abstention violated the spirit of the charter. The grounds for abstention (`conflicts of interest`) are well defined and limited in scope. Unless her situation meets the definition of a `conflict of interest,` she is duty-bound to express your will on any and every measure.
Elected officials should never be allowed to govern through inaction. That is what the `abstention equals approval` rule is designed to prevent.
That makes a lot of sense. Thank you for explaining that! For conflict of interest, I can see abstaining, but I still wouldn't like that someone with a conflict of interest who abstained would have their vote considered an affirmative.
ReplyDeleteWith a true conflict of interest, one should "recuse" themselves from the issue entirely rather than simply "abstaining" from the vote. When someone "recuses" themselves they are not counted in the vote tally at all.
ReplyDelete