It’s gut check time for Erie’s mayor, Joe Sinnott. Last week, he announced that he’ll be presenting to City Council a budget without a tax increase. That’s good news, considering the 12% increase last year. However, on Sunday, the Erie Times News’ Pat Howard warned that if negotiations and arbitration with city fire and police don’t go well, the result could mean sky high taxes or even the city’s slide into distressed municipality status.

Let’s get this one thing straight: city property owners cannot endure any higher taxes. We are maxed out. Any raise in taxes will just lead to a corresponding reduction in property values, continuing the downward spiral we’ve seen for years now. Erie has to face the reality of its finite revenue stream and live within its means. It will more than likely mean some kind of employee giveback, since 75% of the city’s expenses are personnel related. Efficiency will need to increase, and bells and whistles are a thing of the past.

Right now Erie has some of the highest tax rates in the country, while it has endured a stagnant economy for decades. There is negative population growth, flat-lined buying power, and increased poverty. There’s no more money to be had.

Within this very difficult state of affairs is a great opportunity. If the mayor and city council could draw a line in the sand on behalf of the taxpayers, get City Hall in order, and be able to live within its means, it would speak a great deal to the adjoining municipalities and the county as to the seriousness of our leadership. You might see some softening of positions regarding regionalism and cooperation. And taxpayers might get a new understanding of the priorities of our elected officials.