Enough is enough.

That’s the message that several Suffolk City Council members say they have received from constituents frustrated by the city’s ever-increasing real estate assessments and property taxes.

This year, assessments are jumping an average 17 percent citywide. Nonetheless, Suffolk City Manager R. Steven Herbert has indicated that a decrease in the tax rate will not be included in his proposed 2006 operating budget.

Councilwoman Linda T. Johnson said she has received numerous e-mails, including one from a resident whose assessment went up by 600 percent.

The increase in property value for another constituent forced his mortgage to go up by $68 a month, she said.

&uot;People are saying enough is enough,&uot; Johnson said. &uot;I think the fairest way to handle it is to decrease the mill rate.

&uot;I think people are willing for us to trim things back to do that.&uot;

Councilman Curtis Milteer Sr. agreed.

&uot;We-the seven of us here-have the opportunity to do something about this,&uot; he said. &uot;I think we need to reconsider and give people a break on their taxes next year.

&uot;Someone on Airport Road told me his assessment went up over $11,000 this year. To me, it’s negligence on our part.&uot;

The fact that many in Whaleyville don’t yet have the city-provided trash cans simply adds insult to injury, he added.

Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett said he has received calls from residents on fixed incomes that don’t yet qualify for the elderly tax relief program because of their ages.

He suggested the city consider looking at reducing the age criteria, which is now 65.

Herbert is expected to present his budget in May.

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com