Phantom Tax Increase

Submitted by WhitesCreek on July 13, 2012 - 8:25am.

Here's how this works:

From the KNS

The new Roane County budget of $110,190,855 keeps property tax rates the same, gives 2 percent raises to county and school system employees and doubles the county's contribution to workers' 401(k) retirement programs.

Teresa Kirkham states that she has certain property valuations 30% too high because of state law. We've clearly pointed out that is not true. It's What that means is that those property owners unfairly pay 30% more in tax than they should. The estimate is that the amount of excess valuation is in the $600-700 Million dollar range but I think that is low. The Assessor's inflation of property values causes those property owners' taxes to go up without the County Commission having to increase the tax rate.

This is a phantom tax increase of over $15 million dollars on people whose property is unfairly assessed and if corrected would have required a tax rate increase of 14%.

Let's end this charade, shall we?

Are you saying,, WC...
Submitted by RoaneBooster on July 13, 2012 - 8:36am.

... that Ms Kirkham did this in collusion with the Commission and/or Executive to create this phantom tax?

RB

WhitesCreek's picture
Not at all
Submitted by WhitesCreek on July 13, 2012 - 8:47am.

This is the way this process has always worked. It is right out in the open and politicians always play the spin.

If there is anything going on that is questionable, I feel that it would follow the statement I referenced in the Board of Equalization meeting where TVA was allowed to influence which properties were impacted by their ash disaster. I think that is a staggering implication.

Gotcha
Submitted by RoaneBooster on July 13, 2012 - 9:02am.

Thanks - I understand what you're saying now.

RB

High dollar
Submitted by chelsea on July 13, 2012 - 8:58am.

Are these high dollar properties? And are the people who own these high dollar properties more wealthy than most of us? If so, it is only right that they pay "their fair share" of taxes.

I can answer that. In my
Submitted by ConcernedCitizen on July 13, 2012 - 9:31am.

I can answer that. In my case the answer is no on all counts. I'm on a fixed income with a modest house and I'm over taxed about 30% AND I live within site of the ash disaster (not spill).

Exactly
Submitted by chelsea on July 13, 2012 - 9:59am.

Exactly, it makes no sense at all. The system is flawed and needs to be fixed. We shall see if a change is on the horizon.

Really?
Submitted by Smokin Guns on July 13, 2012 - 11:48am.

If a property valuation is 30-50%, too high, what does it matter if the owner is "more wealthy than most of us"?

I agree in everybody paying their fair share, but overpaying from any tax bracket is not right!

No it isn't right.
Submitted by chelsea on July 13, 2012 - 4:20pm.

No it isn't right. Overpaying based on a tax bracket is not right, everyone should pay their fair share.
Link...

FairAssessments's picture
BBB's debate on Youtube
Submitted by FairAssessments on July 13, 2012 - 9:38pm.

This debate addresses some of the items discussed -

Link...

It's time for a change.
Fair Property Assessments for "everyone".
fairpropertyassessments.com
David Morgan for Roane County Property Assessor

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