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So they are going to increase the tax rate this year. Then they are going to reassess all property in Wake County next year increasing taxes even more! Between raising the rate and next year's reassessment, 10% increase in county taxes is more like it!

Why do people moan so much about taxes? Is $72 a year too much to ask for new schools? You think taxes are crazy here, try living in NY or CA. My house in Northern VA last year before we sold and moved, increased in assesment in a one year period over $100,000 and we're just talking about a 1,200 sq. ft. 20 y/o townhouse. They reaccess real esate value there EVERY single year...talk about a shock! I pay half the taxes here on a house that is almost twice as big. People need to realize that our taxes here are VERY low and they need to come up to keep up with providing effective services and a great education to our children. I don't even have kids yet, but I see the importance of having a first class educational system and I'm willing to pay for it.

I'm surprised they haven't increased it before now. Maybe it means they are FINALLY taking the growth seriously and the education of our children.

Glad to see they woke up!!

The costs incurred because of rapid growth should be largely assumed by the developers and new residents who are causing the problem through the payment of impact fees on new construction. It would be in Raleigh's best interest to discourage out of control growth before our area becomes a nightmare of sprawl and traffic.

Some of the cost of rapid growth should be assumed by those causing the problem, the developers and new residents through the payment of impact fees on new construction.  It would be in Raleigh's best interest to slow growth and protect what is left of our quality of life before it all is gone to traffic  nightmares and endless sprawl.

On the news, almost daily, for more than a year reports have been ongoing concerning the wake county school systems and the need for more money to fund the expansion of the schools to accomodate the growth of the county. I have no children and receive no direct benefit in paying taxes to fund the school system. I constantly hear parents complaining about the options available to them, year round schools, split schools days, busing, etc. One never hears about the impact to the teachers or to individuals who have no children and pay school taxes anyway. On one occassion I heard a mother complaining that a year round school schedule would force her to go back to work so that she could afford to send her child to private school in order to avoid a year round schedule. Give me a break, many families have both parents working just to make ends meet.

I have repeatedly seen where the school board has offer alternatives, options, and compromises to accomodate parents and the needs of their families. The only option I've heard offered by many parents is to raise taxes. Thoughout life people have to make compromises. One such compromise that individuals without children make is that we pay taxes to provide for schooling for other peoples children. People who want it only their way, and I speaking about the parents complaining about the impact that a year round school schedule would have on their family life, need to wake up and live in reality!!!

The tax base this year will increase merely because property values are being re-assessed. To continue to raise property tax rates would put an undue hardship on low or fixed income families as well as an unfair burden on individuals without children.

The only tax rate increase I would be in favor of is to fund a raise for teachers who seem to sacrifice more than anyone else impacted by the dilema facing Wake County school system.

I would hate to see this area have property taxes as high as New Jersey, New York or Florida.

Once this happens (just like in other states) the county will think "that was easy" and the increases will keep coming and this area will soon end up with a NJ type corupt government. They will never stop saying we need more money for this or that even if they dont need it. Hey heres one, why did the county choose to go with Waste Ind. for the hauler for the new landfill when there was a TN based company that bid to do the job for xxmillion less than waste ind? If they need so much money for schools couldnt that have been used? Trust me greed always wins....

I would have no problem paying higher taxes if there were impact fees and real estate transfer fees in place (preferably, assessed on the purchasers, not the sellers). In response to those that have moved here from elsewhere and don't see the problem, remember, we are the problem. Just because you paid higher taxes elsewhere, doesn't mean that it should be the same here. Those that have lived here all of their lives should not have undue hardships placed on them because of the influx of outsiders.

All that being said, I do not want to see another bond issue in the next election either. I think that may create a slippery slope of bonds every election.

How about a "pay for service" tax? Those with kids in school can pay more in taxes/fees so that the rest of us don't suffer....

Oh, by the way, for the person that said "it's only $72 a year" allow me to correct you, "it's only $72 MORE a year", gas tax, sales tax, income tax, car tag (tax), lottery, car inspection (tax), etc. etc. Now Easley wants a 1% tax on all property sold in N.C.???? Come on, how 'bout living within your means????