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Post by devilsrus on Apr 20, 2006 20:51:45 GMT -5
A few thoughts; Tremendous meeting. Well run by John Hanrahan and the committies. Great signs and hand outs....looking forward to seeing the signs and hearing the buzz. good weather this weekend would be a boon. Was nice to see the Plainedge Master there with insightful comment re: the Library postings. This is a forward looking group of people.And we all love a parade! We will get this done and have fun doing it! To borrow from the Mets: THE TIME! THE TEAM! THE PLACE! IT AIN'T SHEA, ITS RIGHT HERE! CPR
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Post by justfacts on Apr 20, 2006 22:01:36 GMT -5
Great job done at meeting! Anyone in the community should be proud and thankful for the activities shown, and the progress made, at the VOTE YES committee meeting tonight.I was especially impressed with the care and thoughts behind the young lady who is organizing the Parade activities. Any of you antique car buffs that want to drive your showpiece in a parade? How about a few of you 'cycle guys that run around the neighborhood? Want to have a go at being part of the show? Volunteer here - I'm sure she'll get back to you!But as far as I'm concerned, it's all over but the shouting and the victory party. What is being done will give us a new Board. And even if (dare I say it?) a second vote is needed, there will be enough BOE strength to not allow the fiasco of last year - For Administration raises and bonuses will be cut by the strength of the new C_P_R Board before one little program is cut from the children. That gives a second budget $600,000 lower which should pass. But - I don't know anyone foolish enough to vote NO one the first vote just to get that slight dollar change. So the first time around is most likely it - with no chance for the wrong cuts being made if a second has to happen. With a C_P_R Board, cuts would only occur in the Administration. And if Richman didn't like that, claiming contract rights to a raise, I'm sure the new C_P_R Board would say what he has already said to the Secretaries - "So take me to Court and sue me! - I'll appeal forever! But no raises and bonuses this year Rich Man!" Last year's taking of Raises and Bonuses that cost the District about what the cut out Sports programs cost - was too disgusting an act to justify getting anything this year![/i] Ed It's all over but the celebration! Let's move to making the children's share of the budget fairer! P.S. Yes, it's true. Because last year persons of good intent, but poor adherence to Library Policy, misused the Library Bulletin Board, the Bulletin Board has been taken down this year until after the vote is over. State Education Law, which forbids advocating one position or the other in postings on public property, is the basis of the Policy. And different persons at different times did post both Vote YES and Vote NO signs on the Bulletin Board without approval. This caused many lesser informed people to think that the Library was supporting a position different from their own. This is not true - the Library is strictly forbidden to do so by Law and the Library Board and Staff do their best to enforce its policy that no signs shall be posted advocating one position or candidate over another.The Library Board decided that this year there will be no Bulletin Board to post upon until the vote is over.
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Post by honebee on Apr 21, 2006 6:11:29 GMT -5
I have been reading the message board for sometime now. I was out of town for those three meetings at the beginning of ApriL so I'm not sure what happened, however the last I heard the budget that everyone is trying to pass is a double digit amount for about 10%. I know that we are getting some money from NYS (although we pay NYS taxes as well so we're still paying out) and the rebate that everyone is mentioning, Pataki wants to veto so I'm not sure that is happening either.
The main slogan that seems to be repeated over and over is "Don't hurt the kids". No one wants to hurt the kids, but some of us don't want to be held captive to over-inflated tax amounts year after year either. Where does it end? We want our children to have good educations, after all, that is what school is supposed to be about, but it has become a forum for lots of extra-curricular activities. I can understand the frustration of the parents that feel their children are not getting what others are getting and certainly don't want to spend the summer washing cars and doing fund raisers. (which, by the way, Richmond said was illegal to do fund-raisers when asked about it last year at one of the earlier meetings). However, you all fell into being manipulated by one individual and his backers. Why was there a Christmas Party at Manor East? Why were administrative salaries raised when the kids had to do without? Where did the money come from for these things and now I hear a new administrator was just hired, if the story is correct.
I tend to worry that after all the hoopla about passing this budget is over and you get what you want, what happens next? Will you all be complacent about doing anything until next year when you want the budget passed again?
You say certain board members will be instrumental in keeping tabs on the inflationary budget, but once they are in, will they just sit on their laurels and conduct business as usual? After all, politicians make promises until they are elected too, and how many of them keep it?
I don't think any of you should be ganging up on the seniors or anyone that doesn't agree with you. After all, one day, you will be on a fixed income and in their place. Will you just leave Plainedge to whoever is left and go on your merry way. What of the people that have been living here for 20 years or more? Do they not count? Just pay up and shut up until you can't pay anymore and then you can just leave our community and go somewhere else? Sounds pretty selfish to me. DON'T HURT THE SENIORS!
I thought we said we would not tolerate double digits and here it is. I guess compared to 13% you think we are getting a bargain. It's like the gas. When it was $2.00 we were in an uproar about the prices. Now with the prices over $3.00, we think we are getting a bargain. Five years from now, we will think 13% is a bargain. Where does it stop.
Most of you say you will take care of the problem after the budget is passed, but from past experience, I would be very surprised to see people rallying for major change, particularly when it comes to the pork that is being fed to the higher ups. Wake up. If all of Nassau and Suffolk Counties don't do something to change the way our educational system is set up, nothing is going to happen.
You can all get rilled up about this letter, but if you think about it, you know I'm speaking the truth. I, for one, wish their would be real and permanent changes that help everyone, the parents, the kids and the seniors. If we are to pay reasonable taxes, then they should be going to educate the kids, not to line some pockets that have enough lining already.
ALL I'M ASKING IS TO THINK ABOUT ALL THIS!
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Post by devilsrus on Apr 21, 2006 7:39:47 GMT -5
Good Morning Ms. Bee, Nice of you to join into the discussion. View points are always welcome. We try not to get too riled up but on occasion it occurs, nothing personal. I don't know anybody that feels they are getting a bargain at $2.00 a gallon, let alone $3.00. But thats what gas costs now. I'm also fairly certain that no one wants to pay taxes either. To some degree we are all "held captive", we live in one of, if not the most, high taxed regions in the country. Unfortunately if the budget is not approved it is the kids who will be left out. No one that I know wishes any harm on any Senior, we are all, hopefully, heading in that direction. I for one have no plans of going anywhere else. You are correct in your assessmet of the School District problems in Nassau and Suffolk counties. This needs to be addressed on a state-wide basis. Although we are a fledging political action force, we have had some effectiveness to this point( extra state money, for example). We are continuing to keep in contact with our state representatives with the hope of attaining more funding for our District. If contracts are signed , they must be honored. Shame on the BOE for not negotiating a better contract. Partly as a result of this we are now as a community renegogiating the face of the BOE with a fresh slate of candidates. VOTE CPR. As far as school being a forum for extra-curricular activities: 1. Learning at a young age to go beyond the borders of the classroom is invaluable, 2. Devoting more than the minimal amount of time to any endeavor is to be admired, especially the age in which we live, 3. Children in our culture are bombarded every day with messages that are at best mixed, 4. They learn commitment at a young age,and 5. Teamwork, whether on a baseball diamond, a robotics lab or in a debate are life lessons that can be learned in no other environment. I'm sure that others will add their own points on this. While I wish that the kids were not the ones on the firing line that is sadly the situation we find orselves in. One of the strongest proponents of this VOTE YES campaign is a Senior. His posts are alway informative, occasionally raise points of contention and always add to the debate. If we are riled up it is by the failure of the community to not get more ionvolved in the process long ago. WE should never have let the situation reach this point. But this is happening all over Long Island and we are further along than any other community in facing the problem head on. So jump in Ms Bee but be warned, somtimes the gloves come off. In the end we are all about getting the best for the children of the District educationally and protecting the values of our homes. Wewlcome aboard now all all you have to do now is VOTE YES!
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Post by momma3 on Apr 21, 2006 8:37:16 GMT -5
Good morning all. Ms. Bee, you bring up some very interesting points. Personally, I absolutely agree the budget must pass this year, however, I have heard numerous conversations around town by people who are not so sure. I have read in earlier posts trying to convince the nay sayers may not be so easy. How would one defend this statement, "I do not mind paying double digit taxes to live in Plainedge and send my children to a great school if they receive all the benefits possible.(Ex.-nurse in every school,sports,clubs,more bussing?,no art or music class in Kindergarten as other schools have). How do you justify our taxes?" This is the issue. There is no doubt, this community loves their children and wants the best for them. No one can dispute this. It is understood we do not have any industry in Plainedge to help with the taxes, and we are educated on the problems with the BOE from the past. Bottom line I am hearing, we pay too much and are not getting our moneys worth. Yes other districts have high taxes but they get more for their money so people do not mind paying and pass the budget. It does not make sense to have a district this small, pay so much, and now get so little. Where is it going to end??? PLEASE- this is just what I have been hearing some buzz about. You can not make people come to meetings and read this board and learn where the money is going and what the BOE can not control. We understand, others do not!! I know everyone on this board is going crazy reading this but sometimes the truth hurts and it must be discussed to figure out what people are thinking before it is too late and May 16th comes!!!!!!!!
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Post by patriot2415 on Apr 21, 2006 9:08:09 GMT -5
honebee, You say you missed the 3 meeting in April. What about the meeting before that? What about the community meetings that have been held? Were you present?
Last night we had a fantastic community meeting. Seniors backing families with children in the district. Elementary school parents backing middle school and High school children, High school and middle school parents backing elementary school children. Parents, teachers and board members working together for the betterment of our community.
This year is a major stepping stone for this community. We finally came together. We have differences, as every family does, but we have a common goal.. TO MAKE PLAINEDGE BETTER. Of course no one wants to pay higher taxes. I have a son in college, a son who is a HS junior and a daughter who is a HS freshman. Do you think I or any one else want to pay higher taxes?
We pay them because of 2 things: 1. we want to live in Plainedge knowing that there is no commercial business to provide relief. But we enjoy the safety and the atmosphere that this tiny school district, we call home provides.
2. Apathy. We have taken for granted for so many years that the "other guy" would go to the meeting. The "other guy" would watch what was going on. I will tell you I am as guilty as the next person. I always had an excuse NOT to go to meetings. BUT, in good conscience I never voted no. How could I vote against something I had no involvement in? Something I had no knowledge of?
Last year reality hit when so much was cut from the budget. Say what you want about the administration and BOE. They provided the chart with the "RING" showing exactly what would be cut. The time to challenge that wasn't after the 2nd no vote, but at all the budget meeting before that. It wasn't...shame on us!
This year our taxes are high because of that Apathy! We are recovering. It's a process now, recovery and future palnning.
Everyone involved this year knows we have a ton of work ahead of us AFTER the MAY 16 YES vote. There is work to be done within our community and I believe in my heart that the new board will be responsive. And there is work to do on the state level with the whole state aid issue.
Everyone said $ 575,000 was impossible... WE, not the sports parents... WE the community did it. Don't sell us short !!!
Everyone said the letter writing and phone campaign to Albany would go no where.... $ 900k plus later, those people were also wrong. Don't sell us short !!!!!
WE, the community need everyones help to get this budget passed.
We, the community need everyones help AFTER the budget is passed to work on outstanding issues that affect ALL of us.
I am a member of both the PPAC and the PTRA. Both groups are intent on making this community successful. I hope you can join us....
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Post by gopybl on Apr 21, 2006 10:35:07 GMT -5
Honebee & momma3 - Thanks for the feedback. The first thing that we need to communicate to any fence walkers is this....The budgetary expenditure is going up 10.57 %....Your tax levy is being impacted by far less than that. After we deduct the 1 Million in Fund Balance....after we deduct the 900 K in additional state aid...As far as I know, Pataki has agreed to let us either get the additional State Aid or the Additional Star Rebate (Ed, maybe you can shed some light on this) but not both....So based on that, We will be coming out of pocket well below the 10% mark....Isn't that what we really care about? When your buying a Car do you worry about the sticker price or are you worried about your drive out price?
Bottom line is that our drive out percentage increase on this budget will be well below 10%...Don't be fooled by the Monday Morning Quarterbacks and the NAY sayers who are the kings of spreading MISINFORMATION....We need to combat this with educated information. If you provide me with your email addresses I can send you all the factual information you need when confronted with these people. And lastly....If someone is dead set against the budget....move on talk to someone else we can convince.
We as the VOTE YES committee are in full swing with getting everything set up to turn out the vote. It sounds from your well thought out posts like the two of you would like to get involved... If that's the case let us know and we can set you up with one of the committee's leaders to help us get the information out. Thanks again, I am looking forward to working with you in the future.....
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Post by gopybl on Apr 21, 2006 10:36:28 GMT -5
Ed - I just would like to say it was an absolute pleasure meeting you yesterday evening at the VOTE YES meeting. I look forward to working very closely with you and everyone else in this community to get the vote out. Thanks again...
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Post by justfacts on Apr 21, 2006 19:17:04 GMT -5
gopybl and all othersLast night I was asked a couple of times about the negotiations between the Governor and the Legislators that Senator Hannon and I talked about this week. I had posted here that there is an agreement that the School Aid increases proposed by the Legislator over the Governor's proposal would not be vetoed. Also, the agreement included keeping the State Construction Aid to our aging Libraries - a one-shot deal.But several have asked about the status of the STAR program, both last night and today on this forum.I have difficulty with this topic because I have seen the STAR program used in a way that it was never intended to be used - and the present mailing of checks for a portion of the STAR program directly to the taxpayers was an intent to correct that misuse. However, several posts herein, and many statements not herein - automatically assume that, what I call this misuse, would continue! This is because many "cost justification" plans presume that everyone would apply these checks to offset the Budget increases.
I believe that here are many Plainedge residents should have the freedom of choice as to where that money goes. Maybe to offset the extra cost of gas to get to their job - or pay for their increased cost of medicines - or maybe to offset the coming School Tax increase. The choice should be theirs and not assumed to be axiomatic by others.[/i] *********************************************That position of view being said - here's the "scoop" on the STAR: STAR Discussion. The Governor's STAR program this year has been reported to mail a supplementary check directly to the taxpayer this year. This was been decided by the Governor's because of his belief that by paying the School Districts directly, the Districts were improperly using this as a source of increased income, giving the taxpayer no choice about how they would want to distribute the funds.
This, he believed, defeated the purpose of the School TAx Relief concept. Thus, there became no relief, just extra spending by the Districts. The portion of the full STAR support that was to be mailed directly to taxpayers was $300, the remainder being the normal part of the STAR aid sent to Districts under the normal State Aid distributions.[/i] This may cause some confusion, because, in order to promote the reduction in School District spending he also proposed the creation of the STAR PLUS program which dealt with another Rebate of $400 - but only if certain conditions were met by the District in their Budget preparations. The following PR release spells this out."For 2006-07, a new STAR Plus program is proposed that would provide an estimated $530 million in taxpayer savings in 2006-07. Under STAR Plus, a rebate check of $400 will be provided to homeowners residing in school districts that adopt a spending cap limiting school spending increases to the lesser of 4 percent or 120 percent of the increase in the Consumer Price Index. Exceptions to the spending cap would be provided for increases in enrollment, capital projects, certified emergencies, judgments, tax certiorari proceedings and court ordered funding to provide a sound basic education. Taxpayers in fiscally dependent city school districts having a population of less than 1 million will also be eligible for STAR Plus if their district adopts a spending cap." Since Plainedge did not adopt the spending cap, we are not eligible for this additional rebate. The Legislative Branch has tried to prempt this program to include everyone - capped or not! The Governor has claimed that their modified plan would violate the State Constitution and has intentions to put this issue up to the Supreme court if they try to put their plan in action. To date, their is no action on their part. Here is other PR about the other changes the Governor proposed (with concurrence from the Legislative Branch) for a Cost of Living adjustment to be factored into the STAR program. "The 2006-07 Executive Budget would also ensure that senior citizens are protected from the impact of inflation on their enhanced STAR exemption. For the 2006-07 school year, the $50,000 enhanced exemption for income-eligible senior citizens will be adjusted from $50,000 to $56,800 to reflect increases in COLA since the full implementation of STAR. Similar cost of living adjustments will be made automatically in future years. This will generate additional STAR savings of $72 million in 2006-07." ************************************************What to make of this? The STAR that has been coming and the COLA adjustments to it - seem to be good moves by the State and will keep much of the official gains from that source of funds. . As to the checks that go to individual homes, I don't see how these could ever be considered funds spendable under the control or the authority of the District. Their use will be determined strictly by the homeowner. (Unless we send collection agency strong arm men around to each home!) So, lets not include them into any "calculations" as to what the Town Tax bill will request in increased School (and Library) Property Tax collections this year. Truly, we can't determine how money that is not under our control will be spent. I hope these comments are informational, insightful and helpful. Ed. On to the real task at hand - making sure the children get their fair share of the Budget!
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Post by devilsrus on Apr 21, 2006 19:24:17 GMT -5
Good evening Ms. Bee, Just to dispel any illusions. There is no middle ground to be had for the vote. This is a well thought, painstakingly achieved budget that was put together by the BOE and those people who attended the meetings. The BOE was responsive to the community and the community was cognizant of the fiscal realities presented. We are all in this for the long haul; not just this vote. There is uncertainty all over Long Island at this time of year; Let there be no uncertainity here! WE are mobilizing the electorate. WE will do anything necessary to get the budget passed. I don't believe anyone who believes in the VOTE YES is blindly supporting Dr. R. or any other BOE members. Rather WE are facing the issues at hand and have resolved to do what ever we can to get the budget passed. WE live here. OUR children go to school here or did so..WE have roots in this community that extend beyond our children and include churches, organizations and friendships. WE are here for the long haul; just as so many people were who moved here first. No one is happy about the price of gas Ms. Bee, but we all love living here. You said you read the posts. Get on the train! Vote YES! CPR.
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Post by justfacts on Apr 21, 2006 21:02:40 GMT -5
For those that still don't know how much the Tab will be (like me!)Here's some review of Budgets past and present. I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. It was not as much as I expected it to be. I hope you stick with it to the bottom line. The postings that appear on the Plaintalkonline.com site about the latest School District budget have several "savings" and fractionalized cost elements based on estimated monthly costs. Plus - it leaves out a $2 Million cost element that has always appeared on our Tax Bills from the Town. This makes year-to-year comparisons difficult to do. To me - it appears a bit disjointed and confusing - what goes where - which comes first. Additionally, it has monthly cost impacts for only a portion of the population gets - those receiving rebate checks! However, those rebates are not included in the Tax Bill we get from the Town! If you want to be able to compare this coming year's estimated Town Tax Bill with last year's here's the way it should be done:Take this coming year's Draft Budget spending, $63,555,795 and subtract State Aid, Other Revenue and Fund Balance transfers from it. This comes to $46,450,747 in an estimated Tax Levy for School purposes. So far, this is exactly like what is shown in the small box on the lower right side of second page of the Plaintalkonline.com Budget document. Now to "fix" the $2 Million oversight. The School District is the only local entity that is authorized to levy taxes. So it includes the Library's annual Budget in the total Tax Levy. Last year, the $2,174,274 Library Budget Levy and the $42,685,179 School Budget Levy Brought the total Tax Levy to $44,859,453. By leaving this Library money out of this coming year's calculations - but having it in last year's Budget - that makes the Estimated Town Tax bill increase look $2 Million less than it should be. Causing "sticker shock" when we get the real bill! So, apologies to anyone that would like the numbers look smaller than they will be. But, as often sung - what will be, will be!This coming year the Library Budget Levy (if approved) will go to $2,250,374 (up $76,100) When added to the $46,450,747 School Levy this brings the Total Tax Levy to $48,701,121. That's $3,841,668 more than last year. Those folks, are the bottom lines for all Property Tax.
However, the Class 1 or Home Property tax is but a percentage of the total Tax Levy. According to the numbers shown in the Draft Budget the Home Property Tax Levy is 86.2384% of the bottom line. That makes the Home Property Tax Levy on the Town Bill check in at $41,999,068 using the Draft Budget figures.Last year that figure was $37,131,328.41 on our Town Tax bills for a Tax Levy of $44,859,453. That 's because the Town figured the Class 1 Property Tax footed 82.77% of the bill, less than what the Draft Budget says. That means the Total Property Tax Levy would check in at $40,311,174 using the Town figures.So - Somewhere between $40,311,174 and $41,999,068 is what we can figure the Property tax to be this coming year. The School figures last year were off on the high side - and appear to be the same this year. Since the Tax Bill is based on Town figures, I'll use them first.
Using Town figures for consistency, that comes to $6,458.05 per "average" house (last year the "average" house tax was $5,948.63 using the Town figures)This is very close to the number used for average house taxes used in the Draft Budget, lending credence to the use of the Town figures.
So the "Average" house increase would be ($6,458.05 - $5948.63) or $509.42 for the Draft Budget of this coming year. That is a 8.56% increase over last year's Class 1 Property Tax.For those that like to double check everything (as I do) it is comforting to find the percentage increase from last year to this coming year of the total Tax Levy. It is the $3,841,668 increase divided by last year's $44,859,453. That comes out to 8.56% Double check! So folks, it looks like a $509 increase to $6,458 is what they're asking for - or a 8.56% property tax increase. Does this affect your voting?[/i] Ed. Let's get to the real task! Making most of the Budget money go to the Children!
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Post by devilsrus on Apr 22, 2006 17:51:40 GMT -5
Good evening Facts, As usual another informative post. Thank you for all the figures. I'll take them at face value as I am sure you've worn the numbers off your calculator. Your approximation is probably accurate to within a couple of dollars, I'll trust you. Of course taxes are going to increase whether the budget passes or not. Last year for less than a dollar a day per household the budget would have succeeded. I'm sure that you know this. I'm not sure that the rest of the community does. For about the cost of a cup of coffee( the regular stuff, not the fancy-schmancy kind) WE would have lost nothing. As your numbers indicate we are probably in the same neighborhood this year. As you have continually and correctly pointed out WE must make every dollar count....and every vote as well. Lets keep the winds of change blowing! VOTE CPR! Constantly Pressuring Representatives Continues to Provide Returns! CPR
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Post by patriot2415 on Apr 23, 2006 9:30:40 GMT -5
Let me add something to this... As everyone in the PPAC will attest to: I want to "THANK" all the no voters. By voting to put this school district on contingency you saved all of us about $377.00. EXCEPT when I did my taxes it actually cost me $3500 !!!!! DONATION, raffles, DONATION, water for the kids at the car wash, DONATIONS, food for the PPAC meetings, DONATIONS, food for the kids...ETC !!!!! Now, multiply that by ALL the residents and businesses that did they same and some more !!!! Doesn't it look silly now ?
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Post by justfacts on Apr 23, 2006 9:48:27 GMT -5
devilsrusYes!, I'm well aware that if last year's budget offering's had been reduced by just a small amount in the second go-around the results would have been a passed budget. I also realize that if a portion of the public figured "Aw! What the heck! It's just a few bucks a day more!" they might have voted Yes instead of No, even on the first go-around!And then I also realize, and it is now pretty much a proven fact, that there was Budgeted enough "other" extra dollars, even in the Contingency Budget, to have included much of the Sports programs (and others) that were cut. The Unencumbered Fund balance amount we are now planning to use to offset Tax increases verifies this. Twice the needed money amount was there! That can't be denied!
Also I also realize that even if the unencumbered Fund Balance did not exist, there was an alternative spending option - frozen wages and benefits for Administration instead of cutting into the children's programs. I'll bet few Administrators would have found it necessary to leave for "greener pastures" if that was done.[/i] These are but a few of the options that could have been exercised - but we allowed none of them to happen. We allowed a pre-conceived plan to be implemented which punished the children. An ego driven plan to punish the adults in Plainedge if they didn't vote the way one person wanted them to do. We allowed all of us to be controlled by the will of one other! The trouble is - the altered Budget plan was based, and still is based, not on the absolute limits of available funds (it's proven there was enough there), but on carrying through a Machiavellian plan to harm the children's future to punish the voters.The shame is ours - and almost all of us recognize that. It's why the involvement in the School District now, the first in a long time, by many of us. Let's hope it keeps up for the few years needed to bring us to an active "working together" effort that will bring the District back to doing the best for our children.Ed It's all over but the celebration! Let's move to making the children's share of the budget fairer! Let's take back control of OUR District!
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Post by justfacts on Apr 23, 2006 12:11:02 GMT -5
A view of the tax impact depends on your perspective. Not everybody looks at it from the same angle.Last year my Statement of Taxes from the Town of Oyster Bay politely "asked for" $6,067.35 from me for the School District Property Tax. They would knock off 1/2% from this if I paid it all at once, or I could opt to make two payments; One for $3,033.68 by November 10th and one for $3,033.67 by May 10th. That's the "sticker shock" of receiving the town tax bill directly. No "daily" payments, no "just consider the increase". Pay this much on time or else face a penalty. Try not to pay - and we'll take your house![/i] Since the "Average" house this year is expected to be taxed at $6,458.05 and last year it was taxed at $5,948.63, I expect a 8.56% increase over last year's Property Tax. That would bring me to $6,586.72 on my Statement of Taxes this year - $519.37 more than last year. But that increase is almost totally meaningless to me! For I have to get from somewhere, is a whopping $6,586.72! Just where do I get it from? Or where do I get two $3,293,36 payments from? A short while ago, on my time scale, the whole bill was for $3,300! Now I have to get the money for twice that. It comes from a fixed amount of savings, not from a monthly replaced retirement fund, nor from a monthly paycheck - but from an account that keeps going down every time I go near it! I realize that from some other viewpoints the situation is a little different. There is monthly or weekly paycheck replenishing the balance in the Bank Account. Also, many others have mortgages - cutting the payments into 12 equal parts along with a larger interest payment. That would make the "hit" from the hidden tax bill (it went to the Bank) have a little less "shock". Instead of the previous $496 per month, it's now $539 per month - "just" $43 more per month! About $1.41 per day! One less cup of coffee each day satisfies that Bill!No wonder those persons coming from that viewpoint feel less of an impact from the Property Tax Bill! No wonder I, from my perspective, feel the impact of it is too quickly sucking my bank account down to nothing!Ed. On to the real task at hand - making sure the children get their fair share of the Budget!
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