For the first time in history, more people are moving out of Florida than are moving in, including several of our good friends who moved this year. When asked why they are moving, the answer is most often the same: “I can’t afford (to pay) the taxes on my home (or business) here anymore!” People in the real estate business tell us that they have lost many a sale when clients find out how expensive their property taxes are going to be. The result is hundreds of houses and condos simply abandoned, and “for rent” signs on business buildings all over town.

It should be obvious to our elected officials by now that something has to give. The largest single budget item for all our cities, including the City of Deerfield Beach, is labor costs. Most private companies, including our own, have had to downsize in order to stay financially viable. Downsizing, of course, means that employees who are kept on may have to work a little harder; and some labor outsourcing will need to occur when “crunch times” come during the year.

However, local government also needs to out-source some services. It is tough to do in government because government employees pack the chamber room whenever the issue is brought up. Our elected officials, however, need to look at the big picture and the welfare of the entire community and direct the City Manager to look into what services could be completely or partially outsourced.

Publisher

David Eller