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By: Kenny Tompkins

Niagara Falls City Councilman

As it stands right now I am against the garbage user fee unless they can show me where it is going to benefit the taxpayer.

Where they are going to get something for their money? Are they going to get unlimited bulk. Are they going to give people who need two cans two cans? Are they going to do something about illegal dumping?

I need residents to get something for their money.

Realistically, you can have a tax increase of up to 2% each year. But with the user fee they are already raising taxes. You can call it a user fee or whatever you want, but it’s a tax.

Usually going up 1-2% per year is like going up $20, $30 or $40 dollars. Creating an additional user fee for garbage of $200, and then having a tax increase of 1-2%. They are well onto a double-digit tax increase.

I think we need to go through every department – and I mean every department – and one person gets laid off. Let’s see what that savings is. I have a feeling it would be a considerable savings, which is fair because that effects everyone.