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Suggestions to Mitigate Runaway Property Taxation
To the Editor:
Do you want to keep paying outrageous property tax increases? In 5 more years, at the current double-digit rates of increase, our taxes will be 60% higher than they are now. There is certainly nothing on the horizon that indicates anything to the contrary. I promised some positive suggestions to mitigate runaway property taxation, and here they are.
It seems all too easy for wellintentioned volunteers on our various School, Town and Advisory Boards to simply pass-the-buck rather than bitethe bullet. If we are all really serious about 'cost control', then we all need to change our approach to services and budgeting. I encourage all residents to urge all Board members to do the following:
(1)Adopt both law and policy that mandates that tax increases may not exceed the annual Consumer Price Index plus Philipstown Net Taxable Ratables expansion (approximately 4.5% at current rates). This de-facto 'revenue cap' can then be the hammer which our Boards may use to control runaway spending. Bottom Line: Make the services fit the budget, not the budget fit the services.
(2)Protect homeowners who fear that they may be taxed out of their homes. Adopt both law and policy that mandates that a Philipstown homeowner, who declares his home here as his primary residence, be capped in overall taxes at a number (say maybe 3%) of the recorded Assessed Value of his home. This will protect homeowners who have invested in their homes, to never fear that they may be taxed out of their homes by runaway budgets.
(3)Get real about expanding commercial ratables. Not the 'fearmongering' proffered by folks about "strip malls" and "looking like Wappingers", but serious study about what it will take to attract serious taxpaying entities to help offset the tremendous burden placed upon individuals here. This requires serious and committed leadership by the Town Board, and you Board members know what I mean - actively lobbying with Federal, State, DOT, Utility and appropriate large corporate entities to put together a plan to fund, build and expand infrastructure, thereby laying the groundwork to attract projects that would maximize revenue opportunities while minimizing negative impacts to our Town.
Sound fiscal policy should be a common thread amongst all residents regardless of political persuasion. I want to live out my days here in Philipstown. I also want to have more than a tax lien on my property to leave to my grandkids. Let's all work together to balance fiscal responsibility, services and quality of life.
Chris Fadden
Cold Spring
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