From Dan Mulder

Monroe

To the Editor:

My wife and I have watched our property taxes over the past 5 years increased from $5,000/yr to now $7,300/yr. Certainly our home value has increased but that’s only relevant if we move and sell it. That’s not reality given mortgage interest rates have almost tripled; and who would want to purchase a home in Monroe given the dramatic tax increases? Don’t get me wrong, we love the community and area, however as I begin retirement this year I openly question if we’ll be taxed out of our home. The recent school referendum for $88m doesn’t address forthcoming teacher’s wage/benefits which undoubtedly will go up. The referendum’s projected $88m will certainly not be adequate considering needed outfitting (tables/chairs/electronics or athletic equipment, etc. costs). Then consider increased labor/material cost increases by the time a suitable site is identified/purchased. Doubt this: look at the recent Black Hawk school project in South Wayne: they passed a referendum for $8.25m. Four bidders came in at 25% more than what the referendum was for. Do you really think Monroe’s school referendum will be any different? Then consider the Monroe courthouse project that started at $2m and is reported to now be over $6m and counting! Who do you think is paying for the bond costs needed to absorb the extreme cost overruns? We are. Then if this wasn’t enough the city hired a full time building/beautification inspector who drives around everyday looking for homes needing paint, new roofs, etc. He writes a citation to the owner directing them to get it corrected. A new roof requires a building permit. When the work is done, it’s followed by an assessor who increases the value of your home and your taxes go up; again. A new roof replacement isn’t maintenance: it’s a opportunity to increase your taxes. When the referendum was being pushed, I placed a large banner in my yard advocating voters to vote NO. I stated my taxes would increase $700/yr. The schools were touting $25/$100k of value. The referendum passed; I got my new tax bill which increased $628/yr. The banner cost me $300. Compare that to the thousands of dollars the schools spent on newspaper ads, radio ads, nice color brochures all pushing the referendum which I suspect came from school revenues which you and I paid for from property taxes. Ugh!