WPCNR MR. AND MRS. AND MS. WHITE PLAINS SURVEY. September 30, 2009: With estimates of the city deficit from sales tax, mortgage tax, parking revenues down, it is estimated that the city faces a deficit ranging from $3.8 Million to $25 Million. If the worst case scenario comes to pass, a $20 Million deficit could be restored by a one-time 60% increase in city taxes, otherwise expenses would have to be cut $10 million to chop the amount of tax increase to 30%, and $15 Million to cut the city tax increase to 15% -- if other revenues are not found or created by the incoming city government in January.

A 60% tax increase which would replenish most of the dire predictions and restore the alleged missing fund balance of $27 Million. Faced with such a one-shot 60% tax increase, the  median-priced home in White Plains,  marketable at $650,000, would present the median homeowner with an additional $1,741 in the 2010-2011 budget year and a total tax bill of $4,642.In future years as the economy improves, tax cuts could be induced.

If the deficit holds at the City Commissioner of Finance (Gina Cuneo-Harwood) estimate of $3.8 Million -- plus a $4 Million across the board union increase (based on a probable 4% settlement in the voluntary arbitration that commenced last week according to the city negotiating lawyer last month) that's about an $8 Million deficit requiring a 24% increase in city income taxes to balance the 2010-11 budget at the present level of services -- the median home property owner would face only a $696 increase in city taxes bringing their city tax to $3,597 a year in 2010-11.

Now, this is just the effect of the city income tax based on the deficit numbers that are appearing now.

WPCNR was wandering if Mr. and Mrs. White Plains would opt for taking care of the looming deficit with one tax stimulus of 60% which should keep the city functioning the way it is, without cuts in services, or whether they would choose a more modest increase of 24% and not restore fund balance, just take care of current level spending.

Make your choice at the right.