Property Tax Levies Throughout Region Increased Modestly In 2011
Tax hikes need to mean more, better services, according to homeowners
According to a leading policy organization, municipalities such as Greenfield are having to charge higher taxes, a concept that has homeowners wringing their collective hands.
The Public Policy Forum reported recently that the southeast Wisconsin seven county region experienced a 1.5 percent increase in taxes which was accompanied by a 6 percent increase in aggregate gross tax rate for municipalities and school districts.
The increases force homeowners to be asking simple, yet financially significant questions about the value they are receiving from their municipality.
"Where is this money going? Why?" said Greg Karcher, a Greenfield homeowner. "How is it going to benefit me, my family, my neighbors and my neighborhood?"
Karcher added he enjoys the municipal services that Greenfield provides for his money.
"But who's back pocket is getting fatter because our taxes are going up," he said. "Where is this money going?"
The forum's report indicates the relatively small property tax increase may be beneficial news for taxpayers, but it "also may raise questions regarding the capacity of the property tax to support desired levels of local government services.”
During a recent city finance committee meeting, Greenfield policy makers discussed a raise in taxes. The city's top financial official told aldermen that the city can increase the levy $104,795, according to meeting minutes.
Mayor Michael Neitzke, according to the minutes, is "inclined not to support increasing the levy."
Even if the city does not increase the levy, property taxes for individual property owners may increase because values of certain properties continue to decline.
"There is obviously much more pressure on elected officials to increase the rate when the values are declining," said Rob Henken, president of the Public Policy Forum. "That is a tough call for them."
According to the Public Policy Forum, the rate for municipalities and school districts in the region increased from $20.36 to $21.58 per $1,000 in 2011.
Even with the increase, it is a decline in services that drives the frustration for homeowners like Karcher.
"They are cutting all of these things and that is what gets me kind of angry," said Karcher, a father of three, who focuses a lot of his attention as a taxpayer on the school district.
In This article
-
Greenfield City Hall
7325 W Forest Home Ave, Greenfield, WI -
Greenfield School District
4850 S 60th St, Greenfield, WI
milliibarra
5:44 am on Thursday, August 18, 2011
Penalty abatement is a way individuals can get the IRS to forgive certain penalties that have been charged on their tax debt but you might need help from "Free Tax Settlement" advisers
Alicia Smokowicz
10:52 am on Thursday, August 18, 2011
I for one am very outraged on paying for higher property taxes while our value on our homes are dropping like mad. Good luck selling any property. I for one can't afford anymore. I am on SSI disability and my husband works. How dare they discuss raising any more taxes
joey boogie
9:04 am on Friday, August 19, 2011
It's not the City of Greenfields fault that home values have plummited. Don't just read part of the story that taxes may go up and get mad. Understand that with the hand that the economy has dealt us, and yes that includes the municipalities, it has caused property values to drop lower than last year. This means that the current cities tax base has shrunk, which puts the City short in its next budget before they even set what is needed in the budget.
Pamela Panich
10:16 am on Friday, August 19, 2011
Seriously, it is the City of Greenfield's fault (and the idiot assessor they hird). The values of homes were raised to an absurd amount. Yes -- it was "all by the letter of the law (statutes)" but to not put blame on the City??? The City is not stupid and they are not going to drop the values of the homes, so now they raise the tax rate. Really -- what planet is "Joey Boogie" from??? GET MAD -- YES!!!!
Pamela Panich
10:16 am on Friday, August 19, 2011
"hired"
joey boogie
7:00 pm on Friday, August 19, 2011
Pamala obviously you think the City has a crystal ball. How could the City have ever foreseen the downfall of the housing market. Why are you unable to understand that this economy is at fault, not the city employee who was following state law rules. Of course the City will not lower property VALUES! That would cut the funding to do the job of taking care of the city. THAT WOULD BE IDIOTIC! No Police no Fire no Snow removal and so on! Taxes are what pay for all of that and more idiot!
Pamela Panich
12:32 pm on Monday, August 22, 2011
Nice -- Mr. Joey Boogie!!! The City knew the property values were going down when the appraiser assessed the new values of the homes. Why do you think they used their "crystal ball" and appropriately raised the "land value" of each property rather than the "home value." Because by definition the "land value" and the "home value" are one in the same. They did not raise home values -- take a look at your assessment/tax bill. They used their "crystal ball" found the appropriate "loop hole." FYI -- the assessor which was hired is NOT a city employee!!!!