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55V35lM t1_j1itph4 wrote

Reply to comment by Mr_Boneman in Why are Henrico roads so much better? by RefrigeratorRater

I can assure you that the city has very existent tax base which has actually been growing in recent years (see the redevelopment and increased property values in the previous wastelands that are now high growth areas - Manchester & Scott’s Addition - as an example). The city has wasted more money swinging for home run big projects (that fail to deliver a return above the investment or never made it beyond the expensive ‘study’ phase) which has reduced funds and oversight available for routine maintenance. Stoney was elected initially with the promise of getting the boring stuff (ie, routine maintenance) done more efficiently - to which he has successfully failed in spectacular fashion.

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Mr_Boneman t1_j1iu1ba wrote

Not for the last 40 years, the last few absolutely, which I mentioned they pissed away spectacularly.

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55V35lM t1_j1iye39 wrote

The last few years is selling it short - since the Great Recession it’s been trending upwards. The mismanagement is the underlying problem- the tax basis excuse is worn out and needs to be retired (the lack of improvement when the basis has been expanding demonstrates it as not being the ‘cause’). Poor leadership in the elected positions (primarily) and bureaucratic positions (secondary) are the both the constants and the causes.

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Mr_Boneman t1_j1izy8h wrote

I agree with you that mismanagement is the problem but you’re missing the nuance of my point while lecturing me on things i’m already keenly aware of. Our poor roads haven’t just been a problem the past few years because of just mismanagement, it’s been an ongoing problem that STARTED with the tax base being crippled and has now continued on as we have elevated our tax base. If you want to nitpick what exact year between 2008-now go for it, but i’m not arguing that the tax base is currently decimated.

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55V35lM t1_j1jfc01 wrote

And your missing my nuance - the tax base started falling when the middle class residents moved out to the counties and industries moved out- that started back in the ~1960s/70s across the country to include Richmond. Cities had to adapt to the changing tax landscape - some did, many did not which includes Richmond. The inability to sufficiently manage the tax revenues that were available to them, irrespective of them being decreasing or increasing, is a management and leadership issue - not a tax base issue. The mismanagement likely cause further erosion to base for that matter. There is but one root cause - the rest are excuses for politicians.

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Mr_Boneman t1_j1ld13j wrote

I agree with you that mismanagement is the problem but you’re missing the nuance of my point while lecturing me on things i’m already keenly aware of. Our poor roads haven’t just been a problem the past few years because of just mismanagement, it’s been an ongoing problem that STARTED with the tax base being crippled and has now continued on as we have elevated our tax base. If you want to nitpick what exact year between 2008-now go for it, but i’m not arguing that the tax base is currently decimated.

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