Letter: An opportunity missed

The action by the Collier County Commissioners to reduce the tax rate rather than invest the $20 million in the future was short-sightedness.

Commissioner Jim Coletta had it partially right. Seven million of the $22 million could have placed nearly 2,000 students in Early Learning Childcare with the dollars matched by the state to fund a second year.

Those 2,000 children are sitting on a waiting list for subsidized child care that would allow a parent to go out and get a job or reduce the burden of affordable housing pains.

The tax rate reduction for the rich would produce a $1,430 reduction in tax on a snowbird’s $5 million property or $993.65 if homesteaded. The same rate reduction would affect an average Collier home by $124.41 and $79.94 if homesteaded.

The working poor with a $100,000 property would only get $12.87 on a homesteaded house.

The county missed an opportunity to step up and assist the full time citizens of Collier County. Lee County generously supports child-care agency work with matching funds. There was not ample notice and time for the public input.

Isn’t it time to give the little guy a break?

William A. Robinson/Naples