According to Perry, the city has one of the lowest tax rates in the county without the golf course bond. With the debt, the city has one of the highest rates — and it's causing residents some grief.

Shanna Wilkinson, who lives on a fixed income, trembled as she told the council that incremental increases in her taxes could someday push her out of her home.

"I don't get a raise in January or February that comes near to these increases," Wilkinson said. "I am almost 70, am I supposed to get a job at 70? You people will be there (on a fixed income) some day. ... I've worked hard my whole life. Someday you people will be there and you may not have Social Security."

Maxwell told Wilkinson that he would donate his City Council salary to her to help her pay for the increase.

"I can't do it for every resident in the city," Maxwell said. "But I feel strongly that if you're willing to stand up here and pound the pulpit then you deserve that. Show me what your increase is and you can take it out of my salary until it's paid off."

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E-mail: achoate@desnews.com