share.triangle.com - Should local governments raise property taxes? - Comments

Governments can't always downsize

buttpants — Sun, 25 May 2008 23:20:20 -0400

When the economy goes South, that frequently results in more demand for government services - i.e. public health, mental health, more stress on jails as crime rates go up, public assistance. That's why you frequently see local governments raise taxes when the economy is not good.

Not really

buttpants — Sun, 25 May 2008 23:17:20 -0400

Revaluation does not automatically increase revenue. The city council still has to adopt a property tax rate, and that will determine whether or not there is an actual revenue increase. In most instances, the local government tries to lower the tax rate to offset the increased value of the property base.

Not really

buttpants — Sun, 25 May 2008 23:05:57 -0400

A property revaluation alone does not generate a revenue increase. It's the revaluation plus the new property tax levy that determines whether or not a local government will generate more tax revenue.

Property Tax Increase

Visitor — Sun, 25 May 2008 13:41:20 -0400

My comment is very basic. Business downsizes and reduces expenses when the economy is tough. Citizens reduce their spending. What is so different about city and county government that they can't do the same? The government's answer is always "raise taxes". We have had enough of "tax and spend" as always being the answer. As a senior many of us will have to start moving to avoid these very significant and unfair additional tax increases.

Property Taxes

Raleigh Taxpayer — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:31:45 -0400

When my property was re-appraised recently, it was an increase of 49%. At this time the city assured us that they would reduce the rate per hundred so that we would not face a much larger tax bill next year. Based on Mr Allen's recent statement about increasing the rate to 15%, it looks like I and many others will be paying a lot more than what is reasonable in view of the recent economic situation.
We are paying too much taxes already, vote conservative!

Enough is Enough!!!

gridmaster — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:50:15 -0400

In response to the proposed 11% increase in property taxes submitted by City Manager, Patrick Baker, to the Durham City Council, I say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! First it was Durham County's flawed tax evaluation based on a database so filled with errors that 9 of the 11 properties in my starter family neighborhood cul de sac were given values either too high or too low. When given proof of these errors, the response from the tax administration was that the area would be examined later and adjustments MIGHT be made. Then came the rejection of my extensively researched, documented, and detailed tax value appeal package with no explanation except that the value would remain the same and was based on the sale of properties in my area. Of course, the rejection was based on the same error filled database that first formulated the wrong appraised value. That was closely followed by the City Council adopting the staggering increase in water and sewer service charges, sewer rates and the adoption of tiered water rates that will disproportionally burden those who live on low and/or fixed incomes. Jumping on the bandwagon Durham County Commissioners are going to propose more property taxes on properties that have been valued at the now unreasonable rates dictated by the old housing boom. Now with everything increasing in cost - food, energy, utilities, gasoline - the Lame Duck City Manager proposes an 11% increase in property taxes!!! Property taxes will increase even with the so called "revenue neutral" decrease in the rate. The increase in property values was so great that even with the revenue neutral reduction, only one property in my cul de sac will have no increase in their taxes. All the rest of us will see a significant rise without the proposed 11%. On the same front page where I read of the increase there was a smaller headline that said "Thousands can't pay their power bills." This is a true sign of the difficulty people are having in paying their bills. Where are we suppose to find the money to pay for the increase in water and sewer rates, property taxes and the spiraling cost of the essentials of life? Wake up Durham City Council! Get Real Durham County Commissioners!!! Durham has the lowest per capita income of the Triangle's major cities and yet is expected to pay one of the highest property tax rates in the state. Do not continue to violate the sacred trust placed upon you by the citizens of this city. Stand up for those who have no voice and do the right thing for once. Do not allow this or any tax increase to be passed. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! Fellow citizens voice your concerns by attending the City Council public hearing on June 2nd! And call and email the Durham County Commissioners and tell them Enough is Enough!!! No more spending.

Weakening Economic Foundations Cannot Support Higher Taxes!

Java55 — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:10:55 -0400

To paraphrase this...

With the economic crisis underway nowadays raising taxes is like using feet made of deteriorating rust and clay (our present economic situation) to support the construction of a gleaming head of very dense gold (the dreams of those in high places). To do this would surely be inviting a disasterous as well as complete collapse of everything from the top downwards! Shoring up the foundations should be the top priority before even beginning to think about taxing these foundations for any additional growth.

Tax Hikes

Carol Edwards — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:05:56 -0400

How are many retired homeowners going to cope with higher property taxes, along with higher utilities, food and medical bills? We planned years ahead for this day but who ever imagined that our income would include such rates. And baby boomers now wait an extra year until age 66 to receive Social Security. That wasn't planned either.

My concern is that if we can't afford to pay higher rates, bills may not get paid at all. Then how will the city, county, utility, hospital, have the funds they need?

The good ole' American way of life is fading. Hard times seem to be ahead for many families.

Raise Taxes

Visitor — Thu, 22 May 2008 12:11:38 -0400

Our City leaders and the City Manager do not care about the citizens of Raleigh. All Allen knows how to do is spend Tax Money. Raise Fees, Raise Taxes, etc. We need to Raise him out of town. Years ago it was close Fayetteville Street to vehicle traffic. That was supposed to be the answer for downtown. Now he is throwing more money away. Every time there is a problem his answer is spend more. Look at the shape Raleigh is know with crime, lack of police, more taxes, higher fees etc.. And he wants $4.7 million to hire more staff and buy more equipment. I also thought the Lottery had increased the monies for the Schools. I thought that was going pretty well but maybe not. Wonder how much raise Allen wants this time. I move we Raise him to some other City.

Perhaps the Raleigh City

Visitor — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:32:30 -0400

Perhaps the Raleigh City Council should have thought about this before approving $30,000,000 to buy new software (a new erp system) at Tuesday's Council Meeting. Heck and that is just this year - next year we add another $30,000,000. This includes the interest the city will accrue for borrowing money to pay for a software system very few think is appropriate...

Give me a Break!!!

Visitor — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:06:00 -0400

With the cost of EVERYTHING going up, I have cut back. I don't drive around aimlessly on the weekend- I plan my trips to conserve fuel. I now buy store brand products to save money at the grocery store and most importantly, I haven't gone out and bought those granite countertops I do so want!! In times like these, you don't spend on the luxuries-- like a new Aquatic Center!!!! When times get better, and they will, then City Council can raise the property tax but for now, you morons at City Council need to trim your budgets like the citizens have. Keep raising taxes and you will see less money in your budget due to more people foreclosing on their houses or just plain moving away-- if they can sell their houses. I can't wait to vote in November- I hope you all lose your positions- except for the one guy who keeps voting "NO" to all the tax increases!

What is the goverment doing

Visitor — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:37:28 -0400

What is the goverment doing with our money, we are paying hugh amounts of taxes now. When the tax payers get a pay increase we get 2 or 3 percent but when the goverment votes on pay increase it is 10 to 15 percent. I have not been able to figure out how people could need $150,000. to $200,000 a year to live on.

The lottery was suppose to solve the school systems money problems, the head of that gets an outrageous salary and we still need school bonds. The people running this state need to live a little less higher on the hog. People who were trying to make ends meet are having to decide on food or rent.

Every person in the United states of America should be made to pay taxes if they are going to live here. If they use our roads, schools, hospitals, they should be made to pay taxes just like the people who were born here. I beleive in helping those who need help but we are giving all we have to outsiders and our own are not getting the help they need because the people who don't pay taxes are getting it.

If people want to live here, they should be treated like the people who were born here.

Raising taxes

Visitor — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:26:50 -0400

With our resent foreclosure crisis, you would think that the city would be more caution raising taxes. The fact is that many home owners have their county taxes included in their monthly mortgages. If you continue to raise taxes, you raise mortgages, and you start the whole foreclosure problem all over again.

Property Tax Increase

Visitor — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:21:58 -0400

What are they thinking?!?!?!? The very thought of increasing property taxes on top of all the other price increases; gasoline, electricity, natural gas, water, etc., makes me very angry!

Enough is enough!!

STOP SPENDING!!

Visitor — Thu, 22 May 2008 09:37:11 -0400

Revenues are down, so raise taxes! Try this, STOP SPENDING! Live within your means! We citizens must do it, so will you leaches!

Have you had enough yet Noth Calina? Vote them all out in November, if they run unopposed, skip that ballot entry! This insanity MUST STOP!

Should local governments raise property taxes?

M_Dubb — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:05:10 -0400

As if Triangle residents don’t have enough to deal with tightening their belts against skyrocketing fuel and food costs, along comes three of the region’s major local governments proposing hefty increases in next year’s property tax rates, including the city of Raleigh, which has unveiled a 15 percent jump that would be the largest in a decade.

As if Triangle residents don’t have enough to deal with tightening their belts against skyrocketing fuel and food costs, along comes three of the region’s…