Rent and Taxes in the City of Austin
Seemingly related stories out of Austin that exemplify the “Let Them Eat Cake” mentality in our elected leaders:
The Austin City Council decided this morning to cut the rents for Austin Java and Fit City, two businesses that lease space on the first floor of City Hall.
As we explained in a story this morning, Austin Java will now pay only 4 percent of its gross monthly sales instead of its current rate of 7 percent. Fit City, owned by RunTex owner Paul Carrozza, will pay $10.50 per square foot per month instead of $28 per square foot.
via Council cuts Austin Java, Fit City rents | City Beat.
Meanwhile, taxes are going up across the city:
Transportation user fees, Drainage fees, Development and Zoning fees, and property taxes all are set to rise in the proposed 2009-2010 city budget. No layoffs of city employees or cuts to non-emergency city services are mentioned.