[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Truth in Taxation 2007

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Truth in Taxation 2007
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1196745414.shtml


   My city's annual "Truth in Taxation" meeting was tonight, which I
   attended. Having provided some input as a volunteer member of our
   Financial Commission, I was curious to see the reaction. Actually, by
   law the proposed 2008 levy is below the threshold that requires this
   public hearing, but the city did the right thing anyway.
   Only two civilians attended, who both spoke. They both who saw a large
   increase in their assessed value and therefore property tax. Both were
   very civil, though, especially when they found out they really want to
   be at the spring meeting when you can challenge your assessed value.
   There may be more when the budget is adopted at the regular Council
   meeting, but I conclude that people are either happy, unaware, or
   resigned with inevitability.
   Tomorrow night, I will be at the Robbinsdale School District 281 Truth
   in Taxation meeting, as may be another MOBster or two. Just to set the
   stage, the entire Brooklyn Center budget is published on its web site,
   nearly 200 pages. The Robbinsdale School District also publishes its
   budget on the Web, but only 17 pages to explain how they spend over
   ten times as much money. Oh, and this is the 2006-7 budget, not this
   year's.
   I'm looking forward to this.
   ***
   We saw a 10 minute presentation on how property taxes work in
   Minnesota, featuring Colleen Needles. She details the many reasons why
   your property taxes may go up or down, a big one being that Minnesota
   possibly has the most complicated property taxes in the country with
   over 20 classifications.
   Needles said if you live in a growing community, your taxes might go
   down because the tax base is expanding. But, she continuted, those new
   homes require streets and sewers, and most importantly, public
   schools. Education Minnesota never misses a trick.