Raise Taxes Or Cut City Services?

When the Gulf Coast began feeling the effects of the recession early last year, Orange Beach created a citizens committee to advise City Hall on financial matters. The committee, led by three retired business professionals, has told city officials they'll soon have a tough choice to make: raise property taxes or make drastic cuts in city services.

The panel wants City Hall to levy a one-mil property tax, which equals a dollar for every one-thousand dollars of assessed value. For example, the owner of a 500-thousand dollar home would be assessed an additional 100 dollars in new taxes.

Mayor Tony Kennon is against the proposal. Kennon vowed not to raise taxes when he was elected in 2008.

"I'm against it," says Kennon. "They're going to have to sell me to change my mind. I've pledged no new taxes and I'm going to stick by that."

City Hall will make a decision on the proposal by May 1st.