Paying for Government

Paying for Government

Wow! The money we spend on government. And I do not think it is any better than what we got twenty years ago for half the cost. We talk about an unidentified “they” when we observe things local government provides. Like, “They paved a road,” or “They should build more schools.” For identification purposes, “they” are the county board of commissioners and the county school board. We elect and trust them to levy taxes upon us and spend our money.

Not to bore you with numbers but the county bases fifty-eight percent (58%) of its revenue on property tax. Any dip in the housing market affects the county budget. The school board receives 19.4 mils straight property tax and 3 mils for bonds. With state cutbacks it is a sure thing the school board will ask the legislature to allow them to increase your taxes above the current 20 mil limit. Things are not getting better for the taxpayer.

Development is the hottest topic in our political arena. Too many houses. Too many people on the roads and in our schools. There is no way for the infrastructure to catch up. I have found that education rather than agitation is best. Having tried agitation I gained little more than alienating the very commissioners whose sympathy I sought. Here are the facts: both the board of commissioners and the school board want more and more new residential development.

Alas, the ever increasing downward spiral grows. The price point of a new house must be $280,000 for the county to break even on taxes collected versus services provided. Every house built and sold for less means the higher bracket homeowner must carry the burden for the others. I am no socialist and I do not want my taxes spent to carry someone else’s civic responsibility. Anyone with a brain knows we hate taxes – so new development must provide a break-even, or it should not be allowed.

Although officials deny it, Henry County relies on new home sales to figure assessed property values. Through my own appeal process I learned that many houses and acreage are still assessed on a 20- or 30-year old basis. That is why you may pay a much larger tax bill than your neighbors. It is not a model for efficiency or fair and equitable taxation. And the so-called tax freeze announced last year was a slick move. Every year your taxes usually go up because of two things: the school board increases their millage rate and your property assessment will rise.

Our county government and our school board suffer from a severe addiction to residential property taxes! Both cling to easy, tried and true taxes. Curing the addiction means limiting new development and enhancing other revenue sources. Like setting standards and increasing fees – the cost of doing business – accordingly. Or follow other communities that are successful drawing business and creating true live, work, play environments. Curing addiction requires hard work. As the cravings return, they must learn to “just say no!”


The tension between developers and so-called common folk is easy to understand. The construction industry, like any other business, is designed to make money. Sometimes their money is given to political candidates because profit can be made through sympathetic officials. And they provide the houses needed to generate county tax revenues. So, commissioners want the campaign contributions and a friendly relationship. Now, the common folk have far less expendable cash, and they cannot provide similar incentives for elected officials to “feel their pain.” The ballot box is the only true voice commoners have, and our low voter turnouts prove a sense of defeated apathy. Our diminishing quality of life, crowded schools, severe traffic congestion, and high taxes are the result.

So what is the answer? First, county government and government schools must reduce the amount of money they spend. Living within your means, and spending wisely, is the key. The second requirement is forcing commissioners and school board members to truly understand “public servant” and “public trust.” The responsibility is on us – taxpaying, voting citizens. Government will relinquish nothing without being forced. They demand our money. We must force them to meet our demand for honest efficiency and accountability.