Latoya don't be making idle threats

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“We absolutely need to have an adequate budget to provide basic city services,” she said.

After a re-assessment, a government agency “roll back” millages to keep taxes from going up. They can, however, later vote to roll forward a millage. In other words, a property tax increase.

Cantrell had sought to roll forward the city’s millages 100 percent but later asked the council to roll them forward 50 percent.

Part of the reason Cantrell is pushing for higher property taxes is to get away from the practice of using one-time money -- think federal dollars that came in after Katrina -- to pay for the city’s day-to-day operations.

“Pay raises for police officers? One-time money did that,” Cantrell said. “That’s no longer available.”

The mayor has proposed a $722 million budget for next year, and property taxes would make up nearly a quarter of that.

She is asking the council to approve another $6.9 million in property taxes. She says that for many homeowners, it would only cost them a few extra bucks a month.

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Her administration has warned of things such as slower response times from police and fire, cuts to recycling, closing down rec centers or libraries -- or even longer waits to fill potholes if they can't get the extra money.

“I don’t make idle threats,” Cantrell said. “I’m telling you if we don’t see a modest roll forward -- $6.9 million? Come on. Yes, we will have to look at how we can make cuts.”

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