Greenfield Taxpayers Starting to Get Clearer Picture as Budgets are Finalized

Residents in both the Greenfield and Whitnall school districts should expect to pay less in school taxes in 2012.

But some of that relief could be wiped out by increased property taxes from the city.

On Monday, the approved its final budget, including a tax levy of $24,960,171, or a 0.34 percent reduction from last year, but slightly higher than what was presented as part of the preliminary at September’s annual meeting.

A projected decrease of 0.10 percent from the city regarding estimates in assessed property values set the mill rate at $11.43 per $1,000 of assessed value. So, according to district business director Kristen Kollath, if an owner’s assessed property value stays the same, that person’s school taxes should go down 0.5 percent.

Accross town, the Whitnall School Board set its levy at $15,542,825, a drop of 5.8 percent from last year, according to a story by Greenfield NOW.

The story explains that Whitnall School District taxpayers that own a $200,000 home will see school taxes reduced by $168 for 2012, if that person's home is assessed at the same value as last year.

Greenfield NOW also took a closer look at the City of Greenfield's 2012 preliminary budget, which includes a 2.15 percent tax increase to cover an extensive .

The preliminary budget will be discussed at a budget hearing at 7:15 p.m. Nov. 15, at .