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There are a few things in there that the world will n/)t end if we cannot do, however, there are <br />more that are needed to meet the needs of a growing community and that impact our ability to <br />provide services such as collection of yard waste, first response and firefighting and cleaning <br />storm drains. To defer many of these needs now will only put these burdens on budgets in the <br />future, and will leave our customers dissatisfied with our ability to respond to their needs. <br />Our organization is committed to continuous improvement and is directly accountable to the <br />elected officials and the public. We have put a great deal of emphasis on doing more with less <br />and are doing so. However, despite the water restrictions we are still faced with growing <br />residential neighborhoods that are demanding more in services than they provide revenues. As a <br />manager I am forced to recommend cutting services and/or raising revenues from the limited <br />sources provided to local governments, basically property taxes and development fees. Even <br />though Concord has maintained one of the lowest property tax rates in North Carolina for a full <br />service city, I can tell you with certainty that most of our citizens would rather that revenues <br />come from other sources. I did not say "new" revenues as you know we are not talking about <br />additional money but replacement funds. <br />There are a number of costly challenges on the horizon for city and county governments such as <br />the implementation of the mandated PhaSe II stormwater requirements, continued environmental <br />costs to offset the impact of growth and just expanding basic services to a growing residential <br />population. I will do what I have to do to recommend to our elected officials that we not stick <br />our heads in the sand' and hope for a miracle. We have seen what that has done for the State. <br />Unfortunately, it will be up to them to make the tough decisions on what is best for Concord <br />today and in the future. The financial impact is beyond this fiscal year as we are talking about <br />replacing recurring revenues.. We owe it to our citizens to be concerned about the quality of life <br />for the future for..to ignore it would be irresponsible. <br /> <br />Thank you for your consideration. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />W. Brian Hiatt <br />City Manager <br /> <br />PC: Mayor and City Council <br /> <br /> Office of the Cit MamXer <br /> <br />(704) 920-5215 ~, Fax (704) 786-7068 ,, TDD '1-800-735-8262 ~, www.ci.concord.nc.us <br /> <br /> <br />