Thursday, October 8, 2009
One Solution to Higher Taxes
11:17 AM | 
Posted by
Lance M. Gundersen, Sr.
Rather than the much-resurrected idea of sucking money out of non-profits (a stupid idea I addressed in an earlier article), where Gloversville should look for the extra revenue to fund itself is not property owners, but property renters.
In fact, it is entirely possible that requiring renters to "pay their fair share" could alleviate any need for a raise in taxes.
The first thing on people's minds, especially the mind of renters, is going to be, "Hey, Gundersen! I pay rent! Taxes are built into the rent I pay, so get off my back, you clown!"
Well, the answer to that is yes, there are property taxes built into your rent.
And, no, those taxes are not sufficient.
Before you blow a gasket, please let me explain.
I pay taxes on a piece of property in Gloversville. The taxes I pay on this property, offset by the Veteran's STAR exemption, help to keep city services running for four people.
You, the renter, pay anywhere from 1/2 to 1/4 (or less) of the total taxes on the property you inhabit, and you probably have a similar number of people living with you; yet you demand the same level of services as someone who owns their own property and pays all of the taxes.
What's more, statistically, renters are more likely than owners to utilize city services (for many reasons, not just police calls to the residence).
So, my question back to you is this:
Why do I have to pay full price and you don't?
Well? Why?
It's not about how much square footage one lives in. It's about paying PER PERSON for the services we all rely on to help us out - usually in an emergency.
In 2009, I paid $1347 in city taxes, or $112.25/month.
If everyone shared in the process evenly, that figure might be lower.
It seems to me that a graduated scale based on age, veteran's status and perhaps other factors could be generated easily enough and that figure become the basis for non-property owning renters to contribute to the proper functioning of our city government (a piece of legislation that addresses this issue from a slightly different direction is already in the hands of the Fire Chief and City Assessor both of whom helped to craft it).
Just to give you all an idea, there are currently about 1166 apartments in this city belonging to buldings with 3 or more apartments. If everyone were to pay $1347 the total would be $1,570,602 in collected taxes.
Imagine how that could help the city's finances!
I imagine there would be collateral benefits as well. For example, who in their right mind would continue to trash the city when the taxes built into their rent are only going to go up if it continues to happen? There is absolutely no incentive like a financial incentive.
Give it some thought.
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About Me
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- Lance M. Gundersen, Sr.
- A lot of authors and bloggers have written about living intentionally. Each define it differently, but the basic gist of the idea is to have a plan and do everything in one's power to make it a reality. My plan was to live debt-free, and then spend my time doing the things I want to do - like finishing at least a Master's in an area I can put to use in my community. I started this process with a Masters in Work and Labor Policy with an Advanced Certificate in City Administration, but then switched to a Master's in Urban Planning focusing on Bike and Pedestrian Infrastructure (and learning a fair bit about environmental planning, Brownfield redevelopment, community planning and more). I have also begun accomplishing a whole basket of cycling, sailing, hiking and personal enrichment goals which are each in various states of accomplishment. Feel free to stop by and read my musings. Comment if you like. Please be respectful, and I apologize that it's even necessary to have to say that at this stage of our existence.
