Monday, February 02, 2009

Dooley Wants Cut in Tax Rate

St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley asked the county council to cut the county’s property tax for debt service by 3.5 cents for each $100 of assessed valuation as an economic stimulus. He also wants the council to drop plans to put a $120 million bond issue on the April 7 ballot.

The tax rate reduction would save owners of $200,000 houses $13.30 a year on their real property taxes. The owners would not see the savings until November when the county mails them their tax bills. The rate cut would reduce the county’s collections for debt service by about $8.8 million.

“The mounting number of job loses in recent weeks and its impact on our community demands that we take action on keeping St. Louis Countians in their homes with some money in their pockets,” Dooley said in statement.

The county executive challenged other jurisdictions in St. Louis County to cut their property tax rates. Together all jurisdictions could make a difference, he said.

Dooley conceded that the savings in the county’s rate reduction would not be available until November, but said word of it might encourage people to spend now.

Just think of what all you can buy for $13.30.

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:11 AM

    The time has finally arrived for St. Louis County and all the municipalities to finally work out a region wide consolidation plan and implement it.

    There are far too many muni's with 93 separate little governments, overlapping St. Louis County, along with other taxing bodies, such as fire districts, ambulance districts, etc.

    Individually, none of these government groups are doing well. collectivly, they have a chance.

    They could consolidate, reorganize, and become much more effecient and begin to grow again, once we get things under control. There are just too many chiefs and not enough indians to make things work.

    St. Louis County votes can make this happen. Maybe it is time.

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  2. Anonymous6:09 PM

    When you tell someone from another state that there are 90+ CITIES in the metro St. Louis area just in Missouri, they look at you like you're nuts. While I doubt this could change in our lifetime, it's about time we start.

    If we're serious about "change" and a new vision, it's time we change our political makeup from 90 mayors to either 1 or 2.

    Let's get our act together to meet and start talking serious about this.

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  3. Anonymous7:31 AM

    I wonder if any of the area colleges would take on a feasibility study to research the benefits of consolidation. There are no doubt, many millions of dollars in savings by consolidating.
    Imagine, less government, improved services, lower cost government and services, lower taxes, more effeciency, pro active government, improved property values.
    Does any of that make sense? It could, but it will require the people, the voters to persue. Don't expect any of our local governments to be self policing or in favor of this. It will be a challenge. But, imagine and focus on the improvements.

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  4. Anonymous7:53 AM

    At the very least, think of the fear this would send to all elected officials in the county and the municipalities. A large, organized, highly visual group, targeting county/muni consolidation.
    You would see the best come out of elected officials then. Maybe that is what is needed, a little fear.........it may go a long way.

    ReplyDelete