Taxes, Taxes, Taxes, and More Taxes for Harrisburg Residents

The picture below shows the amount of taxes collected over the past 6 years.

You can quickly notice the increase between 2020 and 2025 is more than double at $10,503,000. This just doesn’t seem reasonable.

The town’s increased revenue is quickly spent. We know the 50-year celebration cost over $500,000 which included a big party for elected officials at the Speedway Club. The latest town manager salary jumped over $75,000 more than the previous town manager’s salary. The renovations to veteran’s park will cost over $350,000, which likely would have been much less with an ongoing maintenance plan. Notice the 2-year pattern of increases with next year possibly being another tax increase based on this administration’s history.

I found an interesting article about a town that taxes and spends:

A Town That Taxes and Spends: The Hidden Cost of Government Growth

In towns across America, a familiar pattern is playing out: rising tax bills paired with ever-growing government budgets. While officials often frame these increases as “investments” in the community, the reality for many families is simple: they're being asked to pay more for services they didn’t ask for—or don’t necessarily benefit from.

Unfortunately, Harrisburg is beginning to show signs of becoming one of those towns that taxes and spends with little regard for the long-term impact on residents.

Bigger Budgets, Higher Bills

Every year, the town budget swells—driven by staff expansion, new construction projects, and ambitious amenities. These additions may sound impressive on paper, but they come with a steep price:

• Higher property tax bills due to both increased tax rates and soaring property values from revaluations.

• Costly new buildings and capital projects that require ongoing maintenance and staffing—expenses that don’t go away once the ribbon is cut.

• Growing government payrolls that commit the town to long-term spending obligations.

This cycle of taxing and spending often continues without meaningful public input, as major decisions are made at sparsely attended council meetings or buried in budget documents few residents have time to read.

Who’s Paying for All This?

The answer is simple: you are.

Homeowners, renters, and small business owners are footing the bill—sometimes without fully realizing it.

• Retirees on fixed incomes are being priced out of the town they helped build.

• Young families are finding it harder to afford housing and essentials.

• Local business owners face shrinking margins as overhead climbs.

This approach to local governance disproportionately affects those least able to absorb rising costs—and erodes trust in leadership.

Needs vs. Wants

A responsible town budget should focus on:

• Safe, well-maintained roads and sidewalks

• Reliable public safety services

• Clean water and effective storm-water management

Too often, however, tax dollars are redirected toward:

• Overbuilt government facilities

• Costly consultants and outside contractors

• Prestige projects that serve a few while burdening the many

If left unchecked, a town that taxes and spends will eventually find itself with a bloated government and a shrinking middle class.

A great town is one that grows with its people—not at their expense.

My vision to a better way forward

Being pro-growth doesn’t mean being pro-spending. Harrisburg needs leadership that believes in:

• Fiscal discipline and transparency

• Limiting government to its core responsibilities

• Growing the tax base through smart development, not raising the rate

• Respecting the taxpayers who fund every project, every payroll, and every policy

Join me in this vital movement for change. Together, we can build a stronger, more accountable Harrisburg.