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There is a parasite on our economy, it's called Government.
Taxpayer's beware, Anoka County is getting ready to set their budget, and surprise surprise, all signs point towards massive spending increases. And guess what happens when they spend more money? Yep, they need to raise taxes.
Total department and divisions requests for 2009 are 7.7 percent greater than the adopted 2008 gross budget with the gross operating expenditures of $273.5 million, up $19.7 million from the current approved budget of $253.8 million, according to Johnson.
That does not include capital expenditures as part of the capital improvements program process. These have been proposed at $57.1 million in 2009, although the county board has not yet approved a capital improvements budget for 2009.
Once revenues from other sources are figured in, all this would produce an estimated 2009 county property tax levy of $141.7 million compared with the 2008 levy of $126.4 million, an increase of $15.3 million before reductions.
“The county board will reduce the rather large estimated levy and will adopt a proposed levy that is in compliance with state imposed levy limits and strives to meet the needs of those who depend on county government to provide the services and facilities the public demand,” Johnson said.
Roads? Oh please, roads! Are we going to finally build roads? Wait, nope, libraries, choo choo trains, and publicly financed health care is on the wish list. Sorry, the rest of us are going to have to imagine we're on adequate roads.
The Legislature imposed a levy limit of 3.9 percent above the 2008 levy, with some allowance for special levies, plus half of the household and commercial/industrial growth percentage, according to Johnson.
Taxable market value in the county is projected to grow 1.6 percent, a rate of growth that is much lower than in recent years, Johnson said.
Do you get the disconnect yet? Our economy is in a state of flux. We're all having to make tough decisions and spend less money with our already stretched dollars. But that won't stop Anoka County from growing and spending more. (Not all of them are bad, but West and Sivarajah are only 2 of the 7 votes on the board.)
Now pay attention, the County is probably going to dictate that the taxable value on your home went up this year, but we all know the reality of the real estate market. You house is not worth what it was last year. If you tried to sell your home now, if you could even find a buyer in this market, it would be worth far less than last year. But the County doesn't appear ready to let the facts get in the way of their dream of oppressive taxation due to out of control spending.
State taxpayer's also need to beware!
This story also mentions a $1.5 Billion projected state budget deficit.
The projected state budget deficit of $1.5 billion “makes us doubt that the increase will ever be paid,” Johnson said.
I've heard the number could be up to $2 billion. The liberals in the Legislature are going to try to raise taxes again. That's what liberals do.
Let's see......
Struggling economy. (Check!)
Families struggling to make ends meet. (Check!)
Businesses struggling to cope with record high gas and energy prices and lower sales. (Check!)
And Government is going to take away even more money through taxes. (That's coming out of your paycheck!)
There is a parasite on our economy, it's called Government. |
