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In a recent poll, residents of Austin cited rising property taxes as a major issue they face, iconic business are having to close their doors and longtime residents are moving out citing rising property taxes. Some have also cited homelessness as an impediment to business. How would you slow or stop the increase in City property taxes, encourage other taxing entities to do the same, and balance the requests for more funding coming from the City Departments and the public? One example of the request of more funding is to expand social service contracts to meet needs, including to provide more supportive housing programs. How do you balance less taxes and increased demand for social services? Please explain.

Reedy Macque Spigner III

City Council, District 1

Balancing less taxes while facing increased demand is not fiscally possible. We must increase of governmental efficiencies and receive more value for each dollar expended. We must reduce duplicity in government and use any savings towards funding constituent support services. An additional component must be more effective pubic-private partnerships with philanthropic, non-profit and religious organizations.