I've said this once, I'm saying it again and I'll keep on saying it until the City finally does it

The City of Dallas has scheduled four community meetings next month, supposedly to get citizen input on the upcoming budget, which, as we all know, is a mess. The City is facing a $190 million deficit (excuse me, cuts approved Wednesday by the City Council "slashed" that deficit to $177.4 million.) Now at these meetings city staff leaders are either going to tell you here's what else we're thinking of cutting or, possibly, they might even ask you which items from this laundry list would you cut if you were making these decisions.

But cutting services is not the only option. The City can also increase revenues by increasing the property tax rate. I know, I know, raising taxes ranks right up there with replacing Friday night high school football with cricket matches (no, those are not what you use to set crickets on fire), but hear me out.

I work part time at a video store and we offer four $5.99 DVDs for $20. If someone comes to the counter with three DVDs marked at $5.99, I tell them about the special and they invariably decide to buy another DVD to take advantage of the offer. I'm convinced if the City does the same thing -- shows its customers exactly what they can "purchase" for X amount of cents -- these customers may be more likely to make that purchase.

So what I would like the City to do is prepare a list of options that we, as citizens, can purchase with our property taxes. And alongside each item, list the tax increase it would cost to purchase that service along with a check box. Then ask the citizens at next month's town hall meetings to check those boxes they would be willing to purchase at that price.

By the same token, the city can list other options that are already in the budget, again with their price, and ask the citizens if they want to keep them. That way we can vote to lower the tax rate as well if we think we can get along without those services.

If the City does that, then these meetings will be worthwhile and provide the staff and elected officials information that may surprise them.

These meetings will take place from 6:30-8 p.m.:

• Wednesday, June 3, Cedar Crest Golf Course Clubhouse, 1800 Sutherland Ave.
• Tuesday, June 9, Goodwill Industries, 3020 N. Westmoreland
• Monday, June 22, Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northhaven Road
• Thursday, June 25, Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake, 950 E. Lawther Drive