Frickin' Tax Assessor

[Coyote_Bandit]

Just got the notice in the mail that my home value has been reassessed again. Second time in less than 12 months. And again the assessed value has been increased. A total of nearly $10,000 in the past 12 months. WTF?

It'll be difficult to contest since the house at the end of the street sold for an insanely high price. Of course that house was completely gutted and had new everything installed - including new plumbing, electric, windows, doors, roof, flooring, fencing, bathrooms, kitchen and cabinetry. Given the local politics probably the only way I could get my assessed value lowered is to get an appraisal showing a lower value - and I have neither the time or the money to invest in that.

My property taxes increased well over 20% last year with no change in assessed value. There are significant increases in millage rates that will take effect his year. Gotta pay for a new sports stadium and a new convention center and for major road repairs necessitated by years of neglect.

Meanwhile rental properties are overbuilt and rental rates remain mostly unchanged over the past 5 to 10 years. The apartment I lived in 10 years ago acrtually rents for less today than it did then.

I can't wait to moon the city limit sign when I finally see this place in my rear view mirror for the last time.

I know someone who lives in another metropolitan area within 100 miles who has a small acreage (4 acres) a new home that is 30% larger than mine who paid considerably less in property taxes last year than I did. My property tax this year will probably be double theirs. Something is most definitely wrong with that picture.

:rant:

[no name no slogan]

1. My property taxes are going up 25% this year

I just bought this place last August. Before then, they had never gone up more than 10% a year.

But that's what happens when you strangle local governments and cut off state and national aid. They have to look elsewhere for funds, and that means property taxes.

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. There were some property owners here

who saw their property taxes increase 600% due to the new improvements. That doesn't seem quite right to me given the fact that everyone here benefits from that sports stadium and convention center and those road improvements. WHy should the burden of funding them fall on property owners? And why the hell are folks who don't even own real estate and can only benefit allowed to vote to increase property taxes for these kinds of reasons? I would not bitch if the funds from the tax increases were going to education but they are not.

I guess I'm looking to leave the city sooner rather than later. The 'burbs are newer and cheaper places to live here. But I think I will look for an acre or so in a nice unincorporated area.

The city will become a slum. Everyone who can afford to go elsewhere will.

Oh well.

[HopeHoops]

2. Simple solution. Put a car up on blocks in the front yard (Chevy if possible) and a sink or toilet.

[Coyote_Bandit]

4. Well, the city employee who lives down the street

left spare tires in his driveway for a loooooong time not too long ago. He also left an old refrigerator out on the curb for a couple of weeks. The neighbors have reported him but he never gets into trouble for anything.

Jerk does seem to spend quite a bit of time at home during his workday with that city vehicle (which he does not drive home in the evening) parked in his driveway.

He's the same asshole that complained about one neighbor who was using a tile saw that had a little bit of run-off into the street. And the same asshole who complained when another neighbor removed a couple of large trees with heartwood rot.

Can I take him as exhibit #1 to stay the increassd assessment? Think that would work?