Dear Editor,

As a county property owner I have a vested interest in the recent County Commissioner’s discussion regarding changes to the homestead tax exemption as reported in the Morning Journal. As we all should know, due to the recently completed county triennial property assessment of (unrealized) gains, valuations have increased up to 36%, with the county auditor not having released that total valuation increase to date (I wonder why). As we are taxed on 35% of a property’s assessed value, our taxes are going up, i.e. more revenue than previous periods for every party with a finger in this pie. This key point did not appear to have been part of the reported discussions. As I understand it from one of the authors of this legislation, if this “piggyback” homestead exemption was adopted, along with the also available increase of the owner occupancy credit, the amount returned to the taxpayers would be something less than 30% of the tax revenue increase associated with the revaluations. So, school districts and others would get a little less of more money. Sounds like a win-win to me.

To rewrite from the taxpayer’s perspective a statement in the article from Salem City Schools Treasurer Michael Douglas, — Homeowners are already facing financial challenges from rising associated upkeep and insurance costs, inflation, and more demands for ever more taxes from all directions. I suggest that those receiving taxpayer money do what we homeowners and private businesses are doing every day and look deep and hard at what costs are essential and what are just nice to have bloat that can be cut.

Voters recently approved renewal of the 1% sales tax which accounted for over $15 million in revenue last year contributing to a carryover in the general fund of over $7 million this year. While not a record, it is a significant amount that has helped the county’s financial flexibility. I urge the commissioners to approve both the homestead and owner occupancy taxpayer relief options available to them and sooner rather than later. As an aside, reluctance to do so only adds more fuel to the fire of efforts to abolish property taxes altogether. Our state should take heed of and learn from taxpayer relief efforts ongoing in Florida and other states (even California) and act proactively. I’ve heard it said, and it is starting to ring true, that taxing agencies will never be satisfied until they have ALL of our money.

Bryan Fuller

Hanoverton