What about the taxes?

[forreason]

Much has been said on this board about town and fire protection taxes. Why is it that there is not a huge uproar about school district taxes? The general town tax is less than $5.00/$!,000 in assesed value and the avg. fire protection tax is around $1.20/$1,000. School Districts (outside of the residential tax in the Sweet Home School District) run either near or over $20.00/$1,000 (would be more if it were not for the STAR program). You should also read on the main page of this website, the letter in regard to patio homes and condos that receive a significant tax break at the expense of the single family homeowners.

[atotaltotalfan2001]

Originally posted by forreason
Much has been said on this board about town and fire protection taxes. Why is it that there is not a huge uproar about school district taxes? The general town tax is less than $5.00/$!,000 in assesed value and the avg. fire protection tax is around $1.20/$1,000. School Districts (outside of the residential tax in the Sweet Home School District) run either near or over $20.00/$1,000 (would be more if it were not for the STAR program). You should also read on the main page of this website, the letter in regard to patio homes and condos that receive a significant tax break at the expense of the single family homeowners.

I've wondered by school taxes get lost in the tax debate for years. They are the biggest portion of local property tax bills and operate with little fiscal oversight.

Something else I've noticed, which is related, is how quickly special district taxes have been going up in Amherst and elsewhere.

[Pauldo]

Originally posted by forreason
Much has been said on this board about town and fire protection taxes. Why is it that there is not a huge uproar about school district taxes? The general town tax is less than $5.00/$!,000 in assesed value and the avg. fire protection tax is around $1.20/$1,000. School Districts (outside of the residential tax in the Sweet Home School District) run either near or over $20.00/$1,000 (would be more if it were not for the STAR program). You should also read on the main page of this website, the letter in regard to patio homes and condos that receive a significant tax break at the expense of the single family homeowners.

Patio homes should not receive the condo tax break. Look at the $549,000 condos on Essay Road. Do they deserve a tax break?

[forreason]

Many of the residential projects in this town within the past 6-8 yrs have been developed under this law. Some individuals have spoken up about this at TB meetings along with the Town Assessor providing information on its' impact.

[Usually Right]

It is a State law. Has nothing to do with the Town. Complain to your State reps. yuk, yuk, yuk,yuk!

[left wing]

Originally posted by forreason
Much has been said on this board about town and fire protection taxes. Why is it that there is not a huge uproar about school district taxes? The general town tax is less than $5.00/$!,000 in assesed value and the avg. fire protection tax is around $1.20/$1,000. School Districts (outside of the residential tax in the Sweet Home School District) run either near or over $20.00/$1,000 (would be more if it were not for the STAR program). You should also read on the main page of this website, the letter in regard to patio homes and condos that receive a significant tax break at the expense of the single family homeowners.

This is a great question. I wonder this, year asfter year, myself. Everyone focusses on Town taxes but school taxes are more than twice the Town's and go up every year with nary a peep from the taxpayers. THIS is where you should be focussing your anger. And Satish, as he and many others do not seem to understand, has NO control over this.

[atotaltotalfan2001]

It's entirely true that Mohan and other elected officials have no control over school taxes.

They can, however, voice opposition and focus attention on the issue -- something most elected officials have refused to do forever.

He can use his bully pulpit to press for the need for greater accountability by schools. And, who knows? If people see changes at the town level, they might actually start to believe they can make a difference in schools too.

[HDavis]

Originally posted by Usually Right
It is a State law. Has nothing to do with the Town. Complain to your State reps. yuk, yuk, yuk,yuk!

...driven and virtually controlled in Albany by NYC's high-rise condo developers.