Two weeks after it was announced that Agricultural Land values were going up an average of 30%, there is FINALLY a newspaper covering the issue. Show of hands: who thinks that counties are going to reduce mills to compensate for the increased valuation? No, I don't think so either.
Show of hands: how many farmers have enjoyed a 30% increase in income in the last year? No, I didn't think so. In fact, this last year saw some of the highest number of acres of cropland that were not planted because of rain and flooding.
This is just one more example of how unsustainable Property Tax is. It continues to rise and the increases far outstrip citizen's income. Can there be any other solution other than to eliminate this onerous tax?
http://bismarcktribune.com/news/opinion/editorial/taxpayer-caution-land-values-have-risen/article_3a4ad22c-4b5d-11e1-94fe-001871e3ce6c.html
Why then do farmers not stand up and yell about this? Its because that the majority of them realize that taxes are a necessary evil and that what they are being taxed is not unfair. The ag property values have not been adjusted in many years and even at adjusted rates is still below the actual true and full value of the land. Their income's may not increase every year by 30%, but comparing income to property tax is an apples and oranges comparison. Also, there are relatively very few acres that don't get planted on a year to year basis, this year was a tough year.
ReplyDeleteIf property taxes are so completely out of wack, why is there not more support for this measure? Even the ND Farm Bureau has come out against this measure. Reason, North Dakotans, and especially ND farmers, are practical by nature and realize that gutting the funding source for services, schools, etc. with no plan on how to replace those funds is anything but practical. I don't think anyone who owns a home in a community that is growing will argue that it hurts to pay taxes, especially when they increase yearly, but it is also nice that I can sell my house for more than I bought it for A reform in how taxes are collected and from where is not a bad concept, but this measure is like throwing the proverbial baby out with the bathwater.
You obviously haven't been talking to farmers. The ranchers out west are up in arms, saying this will be the end of their business.
ReplyDeleteWhile income and PT may be apples and oranges, how do you think a farmer pays his PT? Out of his income. So every year that his PT goes up faster than his income he is that much closer to bankruptcy.
Reform? Really? The legislature has "reformed" PT 134 times in the last 28 years. How's that working for ya'? The last "reform"--the mil buydown of '09 and '11--cost the state $2 for every $1 of PT relief. You really want more of that kind of reform?
Who is opposing the measure? Not citizens. The anti-M2 group is made up of government funded groups. It's your elected leaders and government workers who oppose this. Why do you think that is?