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Slow growth puts burden on taxpayers
Last Updated: August 06, 2015

It sure was nice when the Valley Center area was growing.

Sure, taxable property in north Sedgwick County has continued to increase. Except for one year, assessed valuation in the Valley Center school district's boundaries, for example, has grown each year since at least 2004.

That's the good news for governments — cities and school districts — that rely on property taxes. The bad news is, recent growth isn't keeping up with increasing costs of doing business.

That's part of the reason property owners in Valley Center are getting hit with possible tax hikes for 2016.

The Valley Center City Council this week turned down a proposed 2-mill increase in the city's budget.

However, the Valley Center school board introduced a proposed budget with a 2.4 mill hike.

If the increase is approved, the owner of a $150,000 home in the Valley Center school district will pay about $43 more in property taxes next year than they did in 2015.

Couple that with an increase in the state sales tax that hit in July and residents will be giving even more of their money to the government next year.

We understand the need to fund essential services. However, tough decisions need to be made when the money isn't there.

Governments should grow only as fast as their tax bases.

— The Ark Valley News




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