To the Editor,
Like you, I recently received my property tax for the coming year. I am still shocked by the disturbingly high percentage increases we have seen in the last 4 or so years. This year’s increase is no exception, 15.25% by my calculation.
Rather than just complain about these unsustainable increases, I have urged a few courses of action on our elected officials. From enlisting the advice and assistance of Vermont League of Cities and Towns, to a public petition assessing voter sentiment, to a referendum of some kind, to a California-style Prop 13 state constitution amendment limiting taxes to 1% of property (or some facsimile thereof), each would have reflected our local officials’ shared concern over current tax increases along with, presumably, a willingness to try something.I haven’t heard or noticed that any of these ideas have landed.
So, let’s try something else. To reassure taxpayers that our tax concerns are being heard and acted upon in some way, I urge our elected officials to report regularly in The Valley Reporter and Front Porch Forum each and every thing they are considering, discussing or implementing to address the property tax situation in this town. We can call it “tax corner.”I know I would appreciate and learn from such a regular update.I suspect others would as well.
Sal Spinosa
Waitsfield
