From Michael A. Boyce
Monroe
To the editor:
Property owners in Monroe are aware that their second and final property tax bill is due July 31. For a lot of us, coming up with the funds to pay for continued tax increases is a challenge. Tax delinquencies are on the rise. I am proposing to give the taxpayer a break by having the city of Monroe switch from two to four property tax payment installments.
The nonpartisan La Follette School of Public Affairs recently conducted a study of property tax delinquency and the number of payment installments. The study showed that increasing the number of installments from two to four reduced tax delinquencies by 30 percent.
With the Green County Pleasant View Nursing Home and the Blackhawk Technical college tax increase referendums on the August primary ballot, and a low expected voter turnout, it is likely our property taxes will increase significantly.
I support the Pleasant View referendum, but oppose Blackhawk Tech. Pleasant View needs the money to provide compassionate care for our Green County seniors. This is an absolute necessity.
With its referendum, Blackhawk Tech takes city of Monroe and Green County property tax dollars and sends them to Janesville and Rock County to pay for operational expenses. The Blackhawk referendum is the first time ever that a tech school in Wisconsin has asked taxpayers to pay for operational costs, as opposed to asking for money for buildings or equipment. It's a bad idea and should be rejected.
As long as Bill Ross is mayor, it is likely that his 2015 City of Monroe budget will increase taxes by the maximum allowed by state law. Taxes on his 16-year watch have more than doubled. So have fees.
Families and seniors have an easier time budgeting four installments. In my proposal, all taxes would still be due by July 31. But if an installment is missed all the taxes are not due immediately like they are now if you are late with your first payment. And the current 1 percent per month interest charge on past due amounts is eliminated.
It is said that there are only two certainties in life - death and taxes. It is hard to control local governing bodies from raising taxes, and a no vote on the Blackhawk proposal would help. Switching from two to four installments gives us all some breathing room and a less painful way of supporting our city.
Monroe
To the editor:
Property owners in Monroe are aware that their second and final property tax bill is due July 31. For a lot of us, coming up with the funds to pay for continued tax increases is a challenge. Tax delinquencies are on the rise. I am proposing to give the taxpayer a break by having the city of Monroe switch from two to four property tax payment installments.
The nonpartisan La Follette School of Public Affairs recently conducted a study of property tax delinquency and the number of payment installments. The study showed that increasing the number of installments from two to four reduced tax delinquencies by 30 percent.
With the Green County Pleasant View Nursing Home and the Blackhawk Technical college tax increase referendums on the August primary ballot, and a low expected voter turnout, it is likely our property taxes will increase significantly.
I support the Pleasant View referendum, but oppose Blackhawk Tech. Pleasant View needs the money to provide compassionate care for our Green County seniors. This is an absolute necessity.
With its referendum, Blackhawk Tech takes city of Monroe and Green County property tax dollars and sends them to Janesville and Rock County to pay for operational expenses. The Blackhawk referendum is the first time ever that a tech school in Wisconsin has asked taxpayers to pay for operational costs, as opposed to asking for money for buildings or equipment. It's a bad idea and should be rejected.
As long as Bill Ross is mayor, it is likely that his 2015 City of Monroe budget will increase taxes by the maximum allowed by state law. Taxes on his 16-year watch have more than doubled. So have fees.
Families and seniors have an easier time budgeting four installments. In my proposal, all taxes would still be due by July 31. But if an installment is missed all the taxes are not due immediately like they are now if you are late with your first payment. And the current 1 percent per month interest charge on past due amounts is eliminated.
It is said that there are only two certainties in life - death and taxes. It is hard to control local governing bodies from raising taxes, and a no vote on the Blackhawk proposal would help. Switching from two to four installments gives us all some breathing room and a less painful way of supporting our city.
