The property reassessments are starting to hit. We knew they were coming. The Concerned Citizens of Mt. Lebanon circulated a petition to control the spending on the high school project. We were mocked. We were belittled. We were called fear mongers, but our school board moved forward with their plans.
Even the Judge who ordered property reassessment saw a $134,000 increase. I hope things even out with some of our elected officials. Speaking of elected officials, Joe DeIuliis was quoted in the Almanac yesterday on the municipal tax increase.
Commissioner Joseph DeIuliis, the lone commissioner who voted against the current tax hike, defended the previous tax cuts. "It was a tough time and to me, it was the prudent thing to do," he said. "People could have moved out of the area, and we wanted to keep them in Mt. Lebanon." http://www.thealmanac.net/alm/story11/12-28-2011-ML-tax-hikeYeah, that tax cut of $16.28 kept me from moving out of Mt. Lebanon. Go to the 43 minute mark of the 12/20/2011 Commission meeting during the citizens' comments portion of the final public hearing for the 2012 Budget. As I said in the podcast, the problem is not with the Municipality.
13 comments:
An now you know why the school District doesn't have a budget hole - the assessments in the school budget dated 12 Dec, 2011 are flat and we don't have reassessments yet. Remember the reassessments are for the kids teachers' pension payment.
Here is where I get confused. If the reassessments go up, isn't the mileage suppose to go down? Or is that an exception?
Elaine
It is pretty much a wash. The district is limited in how much of a "windfall" it can get on the increase in property assessments. It is limited by Act 1.
It is a wash for the community, but not for the individual. When the reassessments come out, people who have been skating all these years like Posti and Deullius are going to get hit big time. Could be why his house is for sale.
And if your assessment comes out the same, your taxes may go down when the municipality adjusts the millage to avoid the windfall. Yesterday the judge granted Lebo's petition askinf for a pass on the anti windfall law, but not sure to what extent.
I am not so concerned with the muni taxes as I am with the school taxes. Does the same apply to those? Does anyone know when Mt. Lebanon's reassessments are coming?
Elaine
Yes same applies
Wonder if Posti will appeal the assessment like she did the last time. Might explain why she paid 300000 for her house but her house is only assessed at 160. Posti--pay your fair share. It's for the children...and the covered walkway.
The Lebo SD did not petition the court to raise taxes above the windfall amount. The town did and followed proper procedure in addressing this issue- but obviously the towns tax increase will not have the same impact on people as compared to any SD increases. When the 2012 numbers are received the town will lower millage accordingly but to the level of taxation approved in the budget and by the court.
Ugh, just saw that my iPad wrote mileage instead of millage.
Elaine
The SD did not petition the Court but did petition the State for exceptions under Act 1/Act 25. Those exceptions will equal 0.65 mills or about $1,300,000 on top of the Act one limit of 0.37 mills-0.45 mills or about $740,000-$900,000 for a total tax increase of over $2,040,000-$2,200,000 not counting reassessment increases. So the SD is still a problem even though they did not petition the court. See SD budget dated 12 Dec. 2011.
Elaine,
The last I heard Lebo (and everyother suburb) will get their numbers in March.
The windfall provision is the same for SD and Muni.
I have no problem paying my "fair share." And I admit my home has been underassesed. My problem is if my payment were to increase by $X per year over the last 5 years, I can adjust year to year. But now it looks like I am going to jump $X time 5 in 1 year. That is harded to adjust to.
MTL will NOT lower taxes! Let's get real... Close the stupid schools and send the kids to Shady Side where they will get a good education and the taxpayers will save a TON on taxes.
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