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jimhanson 
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Dec. 01 2003,10:17 am |
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My proposed taxes went up 12.5%. Most people I've talked to are around 15% How about yours?
Was your valuation correct? Mine was a little higher than I think my house would bring, but fairly close. Do you intend to protest your valuation?
My township taxes are the only ones that stayed the same--perhaps proving the old adage "The farther you get from township government, the less responsibility there is with the taxpayers money". School taxes were up, County taxes were up. How about City taxes?
It's time to "pay the piper"--we (collectively) voted for the school assessments (or in the case of the courthouse, DIDN'T get to vote on it!)  , and we either have to raise taxes or cut costs. Any ideas for cost-cutting at the County level?
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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| Post Number: 2
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Jeff
Unregistered
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Posted on: Dec. 01 2003,10:49 am |
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Jim, your township tax didn't go up? Yet? Wait until the county transfers that road you live on, the township will have to raise them then.
| Quote | | we either have to raise taxes or cut costs. Any ideas for cost-cutting at the County level? |
I cn think of five ways of cost cutting at the county level...Behrends, Mathiason, Mullenbach, Springborg, and Nelson.
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| Post Number: 3
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Dec. 01 2003,11:19 am |
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| Quote | | Wait until the county transfers that road you live on, the township will have to raise them then |
The road is already a township road--it's funny, the township road is often plowed before the Bath road is! Maybe we all WOULD be better off letting the Townships take care of the roads--but do you REALLY think your County taxes would go down?
Jeff--there is one County Commissioner name that is NOT on your "hit list"--one that questions EVERY expenditure, that asks "Do we really NEED this"--"Is this the best use of taxpayer money?"--Dan Belshan.
In 2001, Belshan introduced a resolution asking that games be removed from County computers--the minutes show "motion failed by a 4-1 vote" (surprise!). Remember that when you pay your taxes.
Edited by jimhanson on Dec. 01 2003,11:21 am
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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| Post Number: 4
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hud
Unregistered
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Posted on: Dec. 01 2003,2:38 pm |
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My significant other and myself are really upset about how much our taxes went up. I am already working more than one job and can't do much more. We reside in the County but not in Albert Lea itself. All I know is, we do not have a whole lot to say about what is done. But we do about what is not done. NO NO NO NEW LIBRARY!!!!! You may be thinking to yourself. But, not to worry, they call the current one "Albert Lea City Library". Oh, to worry, they want to include the county in this thing. This absolutely positively has to go to a county wide vote. No if's, and's, or but's. And have you ever noticed, when the county votes it usually overrides "The Upper Crust" of Albert Lea? You know, those movers and shakers that know what's best for all us poor country folk? And while I'm at it, why were only Albert Lea City Council members included in the vote to make Paul Sparks head of the Port Authority? Why were not the County Commissioners? Seems to me that economic development does not stop at the borders surrounding Albert Lea. We all have a stake in this thing. And please if anyone out there knows how the 1300 signatures is coming along or what process we need to go through first, write in.
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| Post Number: 5
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mine
Unregistered
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Posted on: Dec. 01 2003,5:08 pm |
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Mine proposed is a 28% increase in Austin. But still my taxes are under half what they'd be in AL for the same value home.
Think about...not one other single thing in our economy has outpaced that rate of growth. It's rediculous. Someone can't manage the books. Heck...even college education and hospital fees which often skyrocket catch match government for mismanaging finances.
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| Post Number: 6
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irisheyes
Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 3040
Joined: Oct. 2003
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Posted on: Dec. 01 2003,7:10 pm |
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| Quote (Guest @ Dec. 01 2003,2:38:pm) | | why were only Albert Lea City Council members included in the vote to make Paul Sparks head of the Port Authority? Why were not the County Commissioners? Seems to me that economic development does not stop at the borders surrounding Albert Lea. |
Because the port authority is city, not county, greater jobs is for the county. But I think your misunderstood about the change itself, he was already in charge of the port authority, he has been for over a decade (since the port's creation about 15 years ago). Speaking of which, have you ever thought about the name "Greater Jobs", sounds like kind of an oxymoron.
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You know it's going to be a bad day when you cross thread the cap on the toothpaste.
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| Post Number: 7
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MADDOG
Group: Moderator
Posts: 7821
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Dec. 03 2003,2:52 pm |
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Get ready for more taxes. The county is expected to raise taxes at the county level for the 2004 budjet. The projected increase is 9.9%. You still have time (today) to call your commissioner, but it won't do any good. They probably already have it spent.
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Actually my wife is especially happy when my google check arrives each month. Thanks to douchbags like you, I get paid just for getting you worked up. -Liberal
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| Post Number: 8
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yao
Unregistered
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Posted on: Dec. 09 2003,9:58 pm |
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I could not believe the city council meeting last night. They approved pay increases without a discussion. So much for the poor us we don't have any money.
Does anyone know how much the increase was? If I understand it right, it was the same amount as the Union contract 2 years ago. So lets see, the people who negociate the unions contacts then give themselves the same increase...nice work if you can get it.
News flash to council, you keep saying money is tight and yet you keep spending.
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| Post Number: 9
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guest
Unregistered
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Posted on: Dec. 10 2003,8:08 am |
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I believe they said it was a 3% raise
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| Post Number: 10
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MADDOG
Group: Moderator
Posts: 7821
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Dec. 10 2003,1:41 pm |
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3% is pretty much what the county gave also, a cost of living raise. It seems like the only people getting cost of living raises with these hard economic times is city, county, and state workers, although that's not all government/education jobs. I happen to know an airport manager that hasn't had one for a while.
Some local proposed county property tax increases for 2004.
FARIBAULT 4.2%
FREEBORN 9.9%
MOWER 12.0%
RICE 5.9%
STEELE 9.8%
WASECA 5.0%
The property tax levy set for this current board when they took office in 2001 was $7,839,047. If they set their levy increase at the 9.94%, that is estimated so far, the county tax levy for the 2004 will be 12,169,496. That's an increase in three years of 4,330,449 or over a 55% increase.
All facts and findings for this are at tax levy in case one poster cares to challenge this.
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Actually my wife is especially happy when my google check arrives each month. Thanks to douchbags like you, I get paid just for getting you worked up. -Liberal
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