Crestwood resident Jerome Friedeck provided Mayor Jeff Schlink and the Board of Aldermen a list at Tuesday's meeting, which he said could be used as an answer to what the city could do if they enacted a tax increase--or at least, what to say if residents ask why the city would need one.

Here's what Friedeck provided:

NEEDS FOR A TAX INCREASE

1. Raise in salaries for all Crestwood employees.

2. Make it easier to balance the budget.

3. Develop quarry site in Whitecliff Park for fishing and picknicking.

4. Replace trees which were removed by City along streets and right-of-ways.

5. Replace broken and deteriorated curbs along streets. These curbs were never repaired when streets were overlaid with blacktop.

6. Manholes on storm sewers should be checked and brought up to good level.

7. Hire park rangers to reduce vandalism, and to enforce park regulations and regulations of Grant's Trail.

8. Add two officers to police force. This would probably cut down on overtime, and give officers who patrol areas the ability to enforce parking regulations instead of just driving by. When the mall is completed, officers will be needed for patrol.

9. Maintain sidewalks, as in the past.

10. Increase manpower in other departments, as needed.

11. Hire a person to be in charge of animal control.

12. Request input from citizens, possibly using the Crestwood newsletter, phone or computer.

13. Cost of living increase... haven't had an increase for many years.

14. Clean trucks after distributing salt to halt corrosion.

15. Government funds to communities may be reduced or even limited.

16. To keep from borrowing in the near future.

Requesting a tax rate increase of up to 45 cents the first year, and an additional 5 cents per year for each of the following two years, should help to give Crestwood enough funds to support the city until funds are replaced from the Crestwood Mall property.

--Jerome Friedeck