Even Higher Property Taxes Proposed

If you don't normally read the legal section of the newspaper, you tend to miss out on important notices that many times affect everyone, including YOU.

Recently, you may have missed out on the "Notice to Taxpayers of Greene County of Proposed Tax Rates" in the November 7, 2007 edition. Sure, it doesn't sound like exciting literature to read in your free-time for fun, but if you're a property owner, you may be quite upset at what was recently proposed. Even if you are not a property owner, but only rent property in the area, you will likely see this increase passed on to you in the form of higher rents. So, this affects YOU too.

All of the rates for the towns, cities, and townships are higher, as proposed, although Bloomfield and Newberry appear to be the two with the least amount of increase.

Let's take a look at the proposed City of Linton rates for 2007 payable 2008, which will climb from 3.614% to 5.30886%, an increase of 47%. The breakdown of where all of this money will go is as follows for each $100 of assessed value:

Out of almost $5.31 collected for each $100 of assessed value, about 2 ½ cents will go to the State of Indiana to fund the State Fair Board and State Forestry; this has remained the same since the previous year. Greene County will receive almost 76 cents, which is up from slightly less than 72 cents last year. Stockton Township will bring in 60% more, as proposed, than the previous year for a total of 6 cents. The City will see just over $1.34 to fund everything from police & firemen's pensions to streets, parks, cemeteries, and the new fire station; this marks a 54% increase year-over-year. As the biggest recipient of the property taxes, the Linton school system will receive more than $2.91; this is an increase of about $1 -- or a 53% increase -- from last year. The library will see 214% more this year or about 23 cents.

True, we can all just complain, but there are other more positive answers:

One way to combat rising property tax rates is for the area to develop a larger tax base. Essentially tax rates are determined by the total budget needed divided by the total assessed value within the area. So, if more businesses and industry locate in this area, these commercial properties share in the taxes needed to operate the local area, as well as spread the budget needed over more property value within the area. For example, the WestGate project will certainly help in the future, along with other new businesses that moved into the area already or are considering the move.

Certainly, we all don't have access to millions of dollars to build new buildings and businesses, but we can still be a part of the solution. Buying local when we can helps instead of spending money in other communities for the same goods and services. Some local entrepreneurs have gone into new lines of businesses and opened new shops, and it's important to support their efforts instead of waiting with arms crossed to see if they make it. Becoming part of the many task forces and groups now developing around the county is also a huge help. Groups have formed for economic development, tourism, planning, etc.

Taking once blighted properties up in value by remodeling and rehabbing helps, too, although tearing them down without replacing the structures actual hurts. True, it may make the neighborhood look better by comparison, but even the run-down shack had some value assigned to it from a tax perspective, which is now gone from the property tax rolls. This is not to say that they should remain "as is" or not be torn down either, but more of a suggestion that something should be build back on the property once the old is razed, such as a new home or business.

There may be many other ways, too, that don't involve tea or a harbor. It will largely be up to the citizenry to find and effectively execute those to help combat future increases.
One thing is for sure: we can always use more positive solutions.