Enough is Enough !!!

Enough is Enough!!
I am sick and tired of this!!

My property taxes went up 16.3% from 2004 to 2005!! How in the world could that happen? The mill levie increase was only 7.5% which is ridiculous too!!. I have talked to many other people who are complaining about theirs going up 5%, or 7%, even talked to one guy that said his went up 9%, But 16.3%??? That is insane! I have done nothing to my house in over three years and even then, I only added paint and a new roof. At this rate of 16.3% compounded yearly, my house will have doubled in value in 5 years according to Ford County Appraisal office. What is going on with them folks in the appraisal office?

Why are people getting the hell out of Dodge? I'll tell you why. Ford County ranks 2nd in the HIGHEST property tax rate in the entire state of Kansas, second only to Johnson County (Kansas City) which has the highest per capita population. Now that alone ought to outrage everyone in this town!!

http://www.ksrevenue.org/pvdstatistics.htm

Why are our taxes so high? Because our elected officials love spending taxpayer money on stupid things like racetracks, ballparks, and other stuff that ends up failing because of mismanagement and poor planning. We think we have to compete with all the neighboring towns. Now we want to build yet another school on 6th and Ross and a new water-park. When will this end? We don't have the money, I say!! You'd think our elected officials would be just a little embarrassed by our mill levie and our ranking in the top two of entire state.

What happened to living within your means? I mean really, they have no budget to confine them, they just keep passing the increases onto the tax payers.

Well I for one have had enough! I am going to take a stand. I suggest we all dispute our taxes this year. I am. There is a form down at the Ford County Appraisals office where you can appeal them if you think they are two high.

It's only going to get worse folks, because not enough people are taking a stand against it.

You can look up anyone in Ford County's taxes at this link:
http://www.ford.kansasgov.com/tax/

Elected Officials take notice, I for one am voting to fire you all next election for allowing this to happen.

16.3%- gimme a friggin break!!!

I saw a bumper sticker not too long ago that said "Re-elect No one" and I totally agree with it. Quit wasting our damn money or at least show us something good that is coming from it. We don't need to continue competing with everyone else.

I tried to give ya some rep for this one, Tee, but I couldn't. This is probably something that should have been done a while back, but at least you're doing it now. I couldn't believe when I moved up here (Johnson County) that the second-highest county was Ford. I figured maybe Shawnee or Sedgwick. Some say it's because the cost of government is about the same anywhere, but there aren't as many people to divide it between. I say that's crap and what they're doing to you all is a shame. Government ought to take it's licks the same as you and me. When money is tight, everybody should share in the belt-tightening. :yeahthat: :2thumbsup

Its only going to continue........

New schools and more to come at Ross and 6th.
New jail coming soon.
New aquatics board to decide on a new water park, possibly 3-10 million, they want to create the "WOW" effect in southwest kansas at the expense to taxpayers. Many commercial businesses are for sale in Dodge City due to high taxes. Commercial taxes are much higher than residential. There are numerous restaurants and residential properties for sale right now in Dodge. Many people are moving to another county such as Gray, Clark or Hodgeman. Its to bad that Bucklin, Spearville, Wright, Ford and even Kingsdown have to suffer with our high mill levy. Its going to keep going up, get your wallet out!

Now you know why I changed my tune awhile back about bailing Dodge City out. At some point you've got to realize you're on a sinking ship and fighting a loosing battle, quit trying to bail water and think about saving yourself. Now you know why so much property is for sale. They say rats are the first to abandon a sinking ship. Someone's got to make up for the packinghouse not paying.

Pollyanna here. Do you think if you all band together and march on City Hall or the County Courthouse that it will make a difference?

There is a big 10 year tax abatement coming to the new motel on Wyatt Earp. I guess the little guy (us homeowners) will pick up the slack. Go figure!!

I see 7% this year on Mom’s place in Fairview Addition.

But 58% over the last eight years!

Well...now everyone has an answer when they say...

"WHY NOT DODGE?"

Mine went up 12.00% and with out pay raises at work (or raises that don't do anything) sure makes it harder and harder to survive here. Just makes me sick that the only way taxes are going is up...

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.

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.

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.
:rant2:

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

It's only 5%.... {sheesh}

Mayor Lee voted against this.

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

Along with 160 others.

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

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

While the rest of us pay higher taxes, Kim Goodnight's get lower. What gives?

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/TaxDetail.asp?taxyear=2005&taxtype=1&tract=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.