9 thoughts on “Another property tax relief proposal introduced”

  1. It is criminal for the Lincoln county tax assessor to commit to an increase of 43% in my property taxes. Approximately 63% of that total evaluation goes to the overbudgeted school district where over 80% of their General Fund Budget goes for salaries and benefits. There is no justification that fits this disproportionate reasoning.

  2. Property tax limits should incorporate limits on increases in the appraised value. For example, my property tax rate year of year really didn’t really change much, BUT the county DOUBLED my assessed value. No sale, no work, no inspections. County just collected double b/c they decided I now owned double. The property tax system is out of control.

  3. Property tax is the predominant concern of voters and this bill by Amber seems like a reasonable first start. I think more will need to be done to make property taxes more equitable…such as reducing the share education takes by enacting school choice.

  4. Amber’s efforts are appreciated. We need tax relief in South Dakota. Efforts like these, as well-intended as they may be, are not the long-term answer.

    Amber said that this was a predominant issue in her district. And, apparently, property taxes are a predominant issue in most districts. It looks like Amber is trying to do something to at least address her consitutents’ concerns, and that is admirable.

    But stopgap measures like this – and it is clearly a stopgap meassure – rarely, if ever, solve the problem. As one commenter stated, “This is just kicking the can down the road.” Or another said, “This is like putting a bandaid on a machine gun wound.”

    So this well-intentioned bill does restrict valuations in the future, but in doing so could work against future legitimate needs. Like Dad of Willow says above, the administrations in many districts are bloated and wasteful. That is a local issue – and best addressed through the school board elections at the ballot box.

    It is really past time for state government to consider a legitimate tax reform bill. Not simply short-term tax relief. But actual tax reform. We’re going to need something smarter – and soon.

    This is absolutely critical as federal funds are reduced, diverted and discontinued. It’s hard to say what we’re going to end up with there, but the general concensus is that it will be “less” or “much less” or in some cases “discontinued.” Many here will agree with that policy and that’s fine. But South Dakota budget includes a LOT of federal money. With that federal money gone, it’s imperative that the legislature take steps to anticipate the problems associated and then take steps to deal with it in an efficient and competent manner. In other words, have a plan to deal with a situation that is certain to happen.

    I expect this bill will pass. And when it does legislators can say they did something to address the problem and that will be true. There will be a celebration, but there is really not much cause for one. The Legislature could do better and should.

  6. Thats not how this works, that’s not how any of this works.. higher valuations don’t equal more taxes. The amount of new money the county city or school can bring in is capped at 3% / inflation / whichever is less. If the average property value in a county goes up by 30% everyone who went up less than that will pay less in taxes as the levy is depressed by equalization. This bill will won’t result in 1 less cent in taxes in being collected it will just hamper efforts to make sure people are paying their share compared to their neighbors.

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