MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) - Midway officials are responding as some residents are speaking out, saying they want more oversight and answers from the people who run their city.
"There's been little if any growth in the community at all," said Nandrycka King Albert. She and other members of the Midway Community Action Committee are pushing back against a proposed tax rate increase. Their main concern: paying more, while property values are going down.
"We don't want our taxes increased to pay debt because people haven't had the knowledge to make the best decisions for the community," said King Albert. "We're upside down in our homes and then if the value of our homes are decreasing, that creates even more of a burden. So even for those of us who've considered moving out, it's really not an option at this point."
The citizen's committee is also handing out surveys, asking people what they want to see happen in the future.
Midway's City Manager Leslie Steele admits changes need to be made.
"We take their concerns very seriously," said Steele. "The first thing we have to do is be responsible with their money. In the past sometimes, we hadn't. Their tax dollars matter."
Steele says right now, the city doesn't have a comprehensive economic development plan in place because they're focused on paying past debts and balancing the budget. However, she says they are working on improvements like modernizing the police and fire departments, upgrading local parks and making the permit process easier so more businesses will want to come to Midway.
"This five member council is moving in a different direction and its our hope the citizens join in with us and that we're not arguing and fighting and bickering with one another," said Steele. "[We must] join together and move forward, move Midway forward."
The Midway Community Action Committee will hold another citizen meeting on August 29th at 6 p.m. at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Midway.
