The Southern Standard conducted an online reader survey two months ago that asked this question:Do you think it helps or hurts our county to have gone 14 years without a tax increase?I was surprised to see 55 percent of respondents said it hurts our county, according to the newspaper's nonscientific survey. I thought the number would be way lower.This shows Warren County residents realize that always cutting costs and consistently operating on a shoestring budget is not always in the best interest of the community.I compare it to stiffing the waitress by not leaving a tip at a restaurant. Sure the overall bill will be lower and you'll keep a little extra money in your pocket, but it won't help the waitress.Some members of our County Commission have a paralyzing fear of raising the property tax rate.