It seems that the Gainesville City Commission is hell bent on self-destruction with its vote to increase taxes and all aspects of utility rates.

Many citizens and businesses of the city, held prisoner by Gainesville Regional Utilities, have conserved and reduced their electric usage or added solar, only to get slapped in the face because their efforts have cut into the profits of GRU and the subsequent cut taken by the city. This move makes it even more onerous to even consider opening a business or building a new home in the city limits.

To add salt to the wound, there is going to add a hefty increase to their fire service fee. Then there is the ever-expanding footprint of the University of Florida, and the removal of properties from the tax rolls, thus adding to the budget shortfalls of the city and Alachua County. Toss in some conservation, or donated, lands that are taken off the rolls, and it becomes a death spiral.

Next, we should consider the issue of UF not purchasing power from GRU. Perhaps if they did, there would be no shortfall.

There seems to be so many pet projects that do not benefit most of the people of the city or county. It’s nice to have trees in the medians, fancy faux-brick crosswalks, narrow roads and wide bike lanes. But like many of their projects, they are just window dressing that if they were not there, nobody would notice.

A few weeks ago, while I was having my mower repaired, I asked how business was. The owner stated that there are hundreds of professional people moving from Gainesville to the rural areas he services — where the land is less expensive and taxes are lower, as are the utility costs. Then there are the snowbirds who are staying for the same reasons.

The subsequent population boom has allowed him to sell more lawn and farm equipment than ever before. He also said that people don’t mind the extra gallon of gas or few extra minutes it takes to get back and forth to Gainesville. They are finding that they don’t need all the things that the city has to offer as they adjust to slower pace of rural life, and some are discovering Ocala.

The sad part of all this is that the people who can ill afford the tax increases are trapped and would probably like to move, but cannot. With the transient student population having to pay more for rent and utilities, it will be an additional burden to them and their families.

I believe that the next Census will be an eye-opener to the commissions, as they will probably see a double-digit increase in the population of the areas outside of Gainesville, along with some of the surrounding counties.

Empires and governments come and go, as do their leaders; it’s much like losing UF football coaches. However, along with their lip service to the public, three things remain constant once they take charge: It’s always about the power, control and money.

Fiscal responsibility and having to answer to your constituents don’t seem to be the focus of the city or county. Where that is, is beyond me.

Nobody in charge wants to cut the budget or spend the money where it is really needed. Luckily my electricity does not come from GRU, but from one of the rural cooperatives, which is held to task by their customers.

Richard DesChenes lives in Archer.