Enough is Enough !!!

[lurker]

I'm all for enjoying and paying for and living in a progressive town but we should face a few facts about good ole Dodge.

• We don't have the tax base that Finney, Seward and other Oil/Gas endowed counties enjoy. We shouldn't try to compete with rich neighbors.
• This really isn't an area that most people want to see. They call it boring because it is in their eyes.
• We shouldn't try to compete with larger cities for image status.
• Our packing houses screw us with tax avoidance schemes that our county/city officials grant to them.
• "Let's Get The Hell Out of Dodge" hasn't gone away because it rings true.

[Fred Sanford]

Well how else is the city going to pay to repair the roads the packing plants tear up; build new schools to educate the illegals; make up lost tax revenue on those same illegals who are a burden on infrastructure yet pay no taxes?

You should feel happy to help support Jose and his 15 drunkard friends and family who live in the 2-bedroom house next to you in your once-decent middle-class neighborhood.

[Highwayman]

Ever notice when politicians talk about tax cuts they whine “How can we pay for that?”
But when it comes to tax increases they never ask how we can afford it.

[TexKan]

I don't have the time to read all these right now but visited the site.....THANKS.......and I got him for ya KC.........

[lurker]

Mayor Lee voted against this.

Dodge City property taxes boosted by 5 percent

By Tim Vandenack

The Hutchinson News

tvandenackAThutchnews.com

DODGE CITY - Tax abatements don't come without cost.

The partial break granted National Beef last year is boosting property tax bills for homeowners here by more than 5 percent, according to an analysis of the main taxing entities' levies. That's on top of across-the-board tax hikes by the entities themselves to keep up with rising expenditures.

As is, the owner of a $102,360 house - which would have been worth $100,000 on average last year - will pay $1,977.55 in property taxes to Ford County, Dodge City, Dodge City Community College and Dodge City USD 443. Those four units account for the vast majority of property taxes paid by homeowners here.

If National Beef's abatement hadn't been granted, however, adding $9.36 million from the meatpacker to the tax rolls, that same homeowner would have paid $1,872.16, according to the analysis.

All told, National Beef will lop 25 percent off its property tax bill thanks to the abatement, paying about $1.21 million for 2006 to the four taxing units, down from the $1.61 million it would have paid otherwise.

Other Ford County property taxpayers will compensate for the lost $400,000, with the increase for the owner of that $102,360 home totaling 5.63 percent. The percentage increase rises slightly for cheaper homes and decreases slightly for more expensive residences.

National Beef asked city officials late last year for the 25 percent abatement, allowable under state law to promote economic development, to help it offset the cost of an expansion project. The expansion - aimed at increasing the plant's processing capacity - has created new jobs in Dodge City, adding millions of dollars to the company's payroll.

At the time, the topic generated heated discussion, with proponents noting the 2,000-plus National Beef jobs here and the firm's strong contribution to the local economy. Critics, meanwhile, noted the need among the impacted taxing units for all possible revenue inflows.

In the end, the city commission voted 4-1 to allow the break, with Terry Lee, then a commissioner and now Dodge City's mayor, dissenting. Over the 10-year span of the abatement, National Beef will pay an estimated $17.61 million in property taxes, down from the $23.48 million it would have paid otherwise.

Even without the tax break, Ford County homeowners are in line to pay more in property taxes. The owner of a $100,000 home last year - now valued at $102,360, on average, adjusting for Ford County's higher residential valuation - paid $1,783.52 to the county, city, school district and community college.

Last year, Ford County's share of the total amounted to $432.79 and now it has increased to $463. The city took a $455 bite from the owner of a $100,000 home last year and that sum will rise to $527.04. The community college got $318.91 and will now get $358.34 while USD 443 received $576.82 last year and now will get $629.17.

Tax bills were sent out late last month.

Copyright 2005 The Hutchinson News

[TexKan]

Anybody interested to my middle income house next to Jose???? I think it's gonna be up for sale.

[Highwayman]

Along with 160 others.

[lurker]

And that doesn't include the private offers, (pending) foreclosures or the PROPERTY TAX'd to DEATHers.

[TexKan]

Hey can't blame a girl for tryin.................

[Tee]

Now if this isn't something to make you stand up and ask WTF???

Kim Goodnights taxes on his property in Dodge City
2001 (mil levy 164.02) Assesed valuation $3119 (no increase)
2002 (mil levy 172.66) Assesed valuation $3119 (no increase)
2003 (mil levy 164.26) Assesed valuation $3128 (increased .3%)
2004 (mil levy 164.47) Assesed valuation $3017 (decreased 2.5%)
2005 (mil levy 176.78) Assesed valuation $2646 (decreased 12%)

Notice how the mil levy goes up but his assesed value goes down?

So while we little folk get raked over the coals with 11-16.3% tax increases, the ones voting this stuff through get theirs lowered? Hmmmm... It's good to be king!!




source: http://www.ford.kansasgov.com/tax/Ta...ract=SWS0016AM

I haven't reviewed the other commisioners yet, but I will. I am also going to do those working in the appraisal office as well. Be interesting to see who is getting the breaks and who is getting the shaft.