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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Nov 15, 2013 7:24:06 GMT -6
Yes, I read the entire article.
Their taxes could rise because their property values are going up so much.
The increase there is not the same as Streator.
The tax rate going down to compensate for property values going up is not the same as raising the tax rate because property value is going down.
Their residents are getting richer because their property values are rising, which makes paying a little more easier to handle.
Streator people are getting poorer because our property value is dropping so much, which makes paying harder to handle.
I see a big difference in the two situations.
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Post by rocket on Nov 15, 2013 7:33:35 GMT -6
Here is a solution : Property Tax increase = RECALL. The taxpayers have the right to remove anyone from office. Remember that if you want to be voted in office,you agree to no tax increases. If not,don't count on being voted in. The taxpayers want someone in office that can balance a budget ,save taxpayer money and decrease taxes. Not someone who likes to spend and waste taxpayer money on things that are NOT a PRIORITY,and result in raising property taxes.
RECALL ALL THOSE AT CITY HALL WHO VOTE FOR A TAX INCREASE ON PROPERTY.
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Post by dog on Nov 15, 2013 8:18:51 GMT -6
Yes, I read the entire article. Their taxes could rise because their property values are going up so much. The increase there is not the same as Streator. The tax rate going down to compensate for property values going up is not the same as raising the tax rate because property value is going down. Their residents are getting richer because their property values are rising, which makes paying a little more easier to handle. Streator people are getting poorer because our property value is dropping so much, which makes paying harder to handle. I see a big difference in the two situations. For comparison purposes, what is our tax rate, what was our 2012 EAV and estimated EAV? Also unless you are planning on buying or selling your property or possibly borrowing against it, what difference would it make if the property value went up or down anyway? Its just like any other investment. Value doesn't matter unless you are buying or selling.
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Post by longarm on Nov 15, 2013 8:43:57 GMT -6
Streator's property values are going down. Most everyone has a vacant house or two on their block. If not, there are delapilated homes being lived in. People are on section 8 and food stamps.
There are only 1, 2 or 3 citizens considered Rich or Upper class.
Middle class is being squeezed out.
Low class by income is the Norm.
I agree with Phelan to cut the costs. If I looked at the budget, I would guess the highest cost involves labor. One time I talked to the person who did the budget for Peoria county. I told her that this must be a tough job. She said NO because the majority of the cost is Labor, i.e. the court house, bailiffs, judges, deputies, jailers, nursing home labor. Cutting the cost is difficult because there may be unions involved. Although I would not agree. Unions had there place in America when the Carnegie's and such worked people to death and work place safety was terrible.
I would like to see the profit and loss statement in Streator. But we elected councilmen to act in their best judgement.
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Post by father of two on Nov 15, 2013 8:49:24 GMT -6
I'm trying to understand this. Streator's tax rate has remained the same for the last 3 years. That tells me they were living within their means while protecting the taxpayer. Now, for whatever reason they want to raise the tax rate enough to cover a 60K shortfall. So over the last 3 years they have kept the tax rate the same and ran a balanced budget despite property values going down, people leaving and a disregard for prospective business owners. Not a great job, but a pretty good one to me.
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Post by dog on Nov 15, 2013 8:50:42 GMT -6
Streator's property values are going down. Most everyone has a vacant house or two on their block. If not, there are delapilated homes being lived in. People are on section 8 and food stamps. There are only 1, 2 or 3 citizens considered Rich or Upper class. Middle class is being squeezed out. Low class by income is the Norm. I agree with Phelan to cut the costs. If I looked at the budget, I would guess the highest cost involves labor. One time I talked to the person who did the budget for Peoria county. I told her that this must be a tough job. She said NO because the majority of the cost is Labor, i.e. the court house, bailiffs, judges, deputies, jailers, nursing home labor. Cutting the cost is difficult because there may be unions involved. Although I would not agree. Unions had there place in America when the Carnegie's and such worked people to death and work place safety was terrible. I would like to see the profit and loss statement in Streator. But we elected councilmen to act in their best judgement. I would agree that labor costs are a huge part of the budget. Union issues aside, and not seeing a profit or loss statement, based on your own observations in the community, what labor do you think should be cut, and how do think that would affect services provided by the city?
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Post by rukidding (towns local troll) on Nov 15, 2013 13:33:08 GMT -6
More than HE IS WORTH. There was NOTHING WRONG with the Fire Dept. looking for Code Violations. At least THEY did Their Job. They still are and will. The other guy does a different job. His is a combination of two part time positions for buildings. You would think the Fire Dept could do that Job also? Eliminate His POSITION all together.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2013 14:23:07 GMT -6
we could combine a lot of theses jobs and save a lot of money. seems to me the more the city can hire for little or no reason the happier they are. makes them and the city look busy and important i guess
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Nov 16, 2013 0:41:27 GMT -6
Yes, I read the entire article. Their taxes could rise because their property values are going up so much. The increase there is not the same as Streator. The tax rate going down to compensate for property values going up is not the same as raising the tax rate because property value is going down. Their residents are getting richer because their property values are rising, which makes paying a little more easier to handle. Streator people are getting poorer because our property value is dropping so much, which makes paying harder to handle. I see a big difference in the two situations. For comparison purposes, what is our tax rate, what was our 2012 EAV and estimated EAV? Also unless you are planning on buying or selling your property or possibly borrowing against it, what difference would it make if the property value went up or down anyway? Its just like any other investment. Value doesn't matter unless you are buying or selling. Value matters because people don't want to invest in something that won't have value. If it costs $100,000 to build, but then it is only worth $60,000 because many people don't want to be where it is located, it probably won't get built. If it cost $50,000 to fix up a downtown building, but then would only be worth $25,000, why do it? Value matters because when it is decreasing, it is making people poorer. Some people have invested not only to be their homes, but to be able to leave something of value to their children afterwards. I bet it matters to people that might have planned to get a reverse mortgage to be able to support themselves in their later years. Value matters to a lot of people and I think it matters to the life of our community. Decreasing property values will only continue to hurt our community, and will continue to result in higher and higher taxes and/or lower and lower levels of service. There needs to be a use for buildings for them to have value. That is why I have such a problem with the restriction on use that goes against our laws. I feel it devalued property here by limiting use, jobs, tax revenue, and tourism. I also have a problem with people saying that anyone should move if they don't like the way our city does things. People leaving only adds to the lack of use for buildings and makes everyone a little poorer. Not to mention that our government is supposed to represent what the people want and voicing it is our right.
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Post by cityslicker on Nov 16, 2013 6:41:40 GMT -6
The council needs to run the city like a business. Who cares if someone gets laid off or gets their salary cut? These people are not listed on my income tax return and I could give a flying f*ck if they are cut. Make the ones on the payroll do more and do it for less, or find someone who can.
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