Westlake Property Tax? "Never Say Never"

Friday, Sep. 05, 2008
Westlake Property Tax? 'Never Say Never’
Mayor Wheat: 'Never say never’
By A. Lee Graham
Staff Writer
Would Westlake ever levy a property tax? The prospect seems unthinkable to those calling the 700-person community home.

But the need to serve a larger populace could place the idea in the hands of town leaders.

"I would never say never," said Mayor Laura Wheat, no stranger to the subject.

Even before taking office in May, Wheat heard the idea discussed among aldermen. Serving Fidelity Investments among other tenants, not to mention attracting similarly desirable corporations to town, could require additional resources.

"Nobody likes property taxes," Town Manager Tom Brymer said. "But it’s a dependable revenue source."

Whether to seek additional revenue streams has not been decided, though officials cite a need not only to serve existing residents and corporate neighbors but to attract new ones.

"As you get more quality people, that attracts more," Alderman Rebecca Rollins said. "When you get to something like a Fidelity or a Deloitte, people are like, 'Wow!’ What we’re trying to concentrate on is looking for ways to generate more revenue."

But existing resources may be sufficient.

"If the town does not expand its residential base too much, there’s no reason why the town’s [existing] revenues shouldn’t be sufficient," said Scott Bradley, who served as mayor 14 years before stepping down in May.

Since moving to town in 1977, Bradley has watched the community balance growth and tradition. And property tax has always been a four-letter word to longtime residents.

"It’s a point of pride with the town," said Bradley. "With older residents, I can’t see they would ever consider that. I can’t speak for new residents."

Whether to consider a property tax in a community reaping most of its revenue from sales tax could rest with public demand.

"It depends entirely on how many services that citizens demand," said Bradley. "As far as I’m concerned, we have all the services I would want." If the Shops at Circle T and other planned projects reach fruition, Westlake could enjoy expanded retail revenue.

"There’s lots of retail opportunity," said Wheat. "We’ll see what happens."