At the risk of being considered a “bit of a nerd’ on the property tax issue, here are some facts that probably very few – check that- no one been wondering about…..many thanks to Mr. Zupanicic, and Mr. Ron Young for being timely and responsive to our questions.

We asked our favorite Auditor, Mr. Ed Zupancic, some detailed questions on property taxes. Here are his responses:

• Inside millage is entitled to rollbacks credits and there has been no effect on the inside millage rollback credits by the stopping or starting of the rollback credits.
• Yes, a school district at the 20-mill floor would benefit from the reappraisals since they cannot go below the 20-mill floor. [LFC note – this deals with the “effective rate” of a levy resulting from applying H.B. 920 that reduces the impact of inflation in home valuation. The levy cannot be reduced under 20 mills]
• Regarding who has the authority to enact income tax in a township, the township or the public school, is answered as such:  The public school would have the authority to enact the income tax not the township.
• We can confirm that there has been no change to the calculation and that renewal levies are subject to the TRF.  [LFC comment:  Watch out for renewal levies that are being converted to continuous levies…..think Morley Library}

We also asked about the CAUV (Cultural Agricultural Use Valuation), since we had heard that Representative Ron Young had enabled a reduction in property taxes for farmers.  We know that when one group gets a reduction then another group has to see an increase in their property taxes.  We received a timely response from Representative Young, and here is a link to an answer from an acknowledge expert that says any increase to residential taxpayers will be minimal.
LSC, Memo, CAUV Land Value Lake, 9-19-18

Yes, I know – I need to get a life.  We did hear from an elected official that says he likes me, but I am a “pain in the neck”  (not sure, but he may have been thinking of a lower body part), because no elected official likes anyone looking over their shoulder. However, he did say that we are providing a needed service to the community since it is necessary for citizens to get involved.  We call that progress!

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