The city of Geneva has a tax problem. At city council meetings, the city fathers complain that taxes are “too high,” but they do not offer reasonable, legal, prudent solutions to the problem. Part of that stems from their unwillingness to learn about city finances and what real solutions might look like.

For decades the guys in charge have ignored warnings from the state comptroller, city staff, and the comprehensive plan, with the majority choosing to just punt the issue down the field. Councilors who tried to make structural changes in the past got voted out, the people who complained the most (but did the least) got voted in, and here we are.

I suspect the current council will capitalize on the huge assessment increase by lowering the tax rate a bit, and patting themselves on the back a lot. But we need more.

If Geneva wants to step back from the fiscal cliff we’re about to fall over, there are three things — one immediate, one intermediate, and one long term — that would actually make a difference.

I’m a broken record — saying these things before and getting no response — but perhaps you, dear reader, can carry the ball further down the field. Ask your elected........

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