SMARTaxes
Scarborough Maine Advocates for Reasonable Taxes
Read the latest SMARTaxes Newsletter (The $6 Million Land Bond FAQs)
SMARTaxes recently submitted this OP-ED to the Scarborough Leader
Yes for conservation, but no on the $6 million Land Bond
Most Scarborough residents support conservation and appreciate the great work of the Scarborough Land Trust. And it’s tempting to see increased land conservation as a remedy for the out-of-control growth the Town has experienced over the last several years. But before voting, it’s essential to understand what the Land Bond does and does not mean.
First, it means that all taxpayers are compelled to support conservation efforts. While such efforts are certainly worthwhile, there are countless equally worthy charitable causes which Scarborough residents choose to support. To force all residents to support a specific charitable cause over others is inappropriate and unfair. This forced donation is particularly difficult for those residents whose financial situations make any donation a burden.
Second, it is unrealistic to assume that the land bond will curb the rapid development in Scarborough. The town’s growth has been fueled by town leaders adopting wildly pro-growth land use ordinances in the past. Control of future growth must come from revising those ordinances – not spending taxpayer money to outbid developers for prime development sites. Those ordinances should also effectively protect our land and water without the need for taxpayer-funded property acquisitions.
Scarborough’s approach to conservation funding is very different from that of almost all Maine communities. In most towns, local land trusts raise funds through private donations and grants. In Scarborough, however, taxpayers foot most of the bill. We are not aware of any other local Maine land trust that relies on recurring substantial funding from taxpayers as the Scarborough Land Trust does. Local fundraising – not property taxes -- is the engine that drives local conservation efforts throughout Maine.
Additionally, voters should note the bond’s broad and vague language. The funds aren’t strictly limited to traditional conservation purposes. They can also be used for purchasing land that supports “active or passive recreation” or to expand existing public areas. This broad wording would allow funds to be used, for instance, to acquire land for a pool/community center or a new park in The Downs or perhaps even a golf course. Worse, land purchases made with land bond proceeds would not require a voter referendum as other purchases of more than $600,000 do. A simple 4-3 vote of the Town Council would be sufficient purchase authorization, stripping voters of their right to approve or reject these large expenditures.
Finally and critically, voters should consider the Town’s larger financial picture. The current project wish list for the next five years includes a $130 million school solution, an $89 million pool/community center and a $15 million library expansion. Yet town leaders have not presented a plan that prioritizes and prices out the tax impact of these projects. A $6 million land bond may not seem like a huge commitment by itself. But taken with the other projects totaling more than $230 million, it all adds up to a potentially crushing additional tax burden. The land bond should not have been put on the ballot without town leaders showing us the overall tax impact of all the currently contemplated projects.
While we strongly support land conservation efforts in Scarborough, the land bond is not an appropriate, fair or cost-effective approach. We strongly recommend a no vote on the land bond.
First, it means that all taxpayers are compelled to support conservation efforts. While such efforts are certainly worthwhile, there are countless equally worthy charitable causes which Scarborough residents choose to support. To force all residents to support a specific charitable cause over others is inappropriate and unfair. This forced donation is particularly difficult for those residents whose financial situations make any donation a burden.
Second, it is unrealistic to assume that the land bond will curb the rapid development in Scarborough. The town’s growth has been fueled by town leaders adopting wildly pro-growth land use ordinances in the past. Control of future growth must come from revising those ordinances – not spending taxpayer money to outbid developers for prime development sites. Those ordinances should also effectively protect our land and water without the need for taxpayer-funded property acquisitions.
Scarborough’s approach to conservation funding is very different from that of almost all Maine communities. In most towns, local land trusts raise funds through private donations and grants. In Scarborough, however, taxpayers foot most of the bill. We are not aware of any other local Maine land trust that relies on recurring substantial funding from taxpayers as the Scarborough Land Trust does. Local fundraising – not property taxes -- is the engine that drives local conservation efforts throughout Maine.
Additionally, voters should note the bond’s broad and vague language. The funds aren’t strictly limited to traditional conservation purposes. They can also be used for purchasing land that supports “active or passive recreation” or to expand existing public areas. This broad wording would allow funds to be used, for instance, to acquire land for a pool/community center or a new park in The Downs or perhaps even a golf course. Worse, land purchases made with land bond proceeds would not require a voter referendum as other purchases of more than $600,000 do. A simple 4-3 vote of the Town Council would be sufficient purchase authorization, stripping voters of their right to approve or reject these large expenditures.
Finally and critically, voters should consider the Town’s larger financial picture. The current project wish list for the next five years includes a $130 million school solution, an $89 million pool/community center and a $15 million library expansion. Yet town leaders have not presented a plan that prioritizes and prices out the tax impact of these projects. A $6 million land bond may not seem like a huge commitment by itself. But taken with the other projects totaling more than $230 million, it all adds up to a potentially crushing additional tax burden. The land bond should not have been put on the ballot without town leaders showing us the overall tax impact of all the currently contemplated projects.
While we strongly support land conservation efforts in Scarborough, the land bond is not an appropriate, fair or cost-effective approach. We strongly recommend a no vote on the land bond.
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SMARTaxes, formed in 2014, is a group of Scarborough residents whose mission is to educate and inform Scarborough residents about their property taxes.
Remember to vote. Absentee voting now through October 31 at the Public Safety Building. Voting on Election Day, November 5, at the High School from 7 am till 8 pm. For more details visit the Town Clerk's Election page [https://www.scarboroughmaine.org/departments/town-clerk/elections].
