HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-02-28-Resolutions 00-25_Property Tax Freeze - OppositionRESOLUTION NO 00-25
OPPOSITION TO PROPERTY TAX FREEZE LEGISLATION
WHEREAS a proposed property tax limitation initiative would combine separate levies
into one,reducing the ability of taxpayers to know what their tax dollars are being used
for;and
WHEREAS a property tax limitation initiative would hamper the ability of communities
to use a prudent pay-as-you-go approach to address vital infrastructure needs if the debt
service levy is included in a revenue cap;and
WHEREAS allowing an inflationary adjustment in total revenue collection fails to give
local government the flexibility to address the future service demands of citizens and
accommodating any emergencies that may arise;and
WHEREAS there is no requirement that state government be restricted in the cost of
programs and services that it may pass on to local government,diverting limited funds
from local priorities;and
WHEREAS communities are already subject to several tax limitations including levy
rate limits and the residential rollback;and
WHEREAS a compelling case has not been made to warrant a property tax freeze,
particularly considering that only three out of 949 city budgets were protested and none
were upheld at the state level;and
WHEREAS local efforts to spur job creation through the attraction of business and
industry will be diluted due to the disproportionate property tax burden a freeze would
place on commercial property because of potential levy rate increases;and
WHEREAS a property tax freeze punishes the fiscally responsible communities that do
not currently levy at the maximum rates allowed under the law;
THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Waukee hereby states its
opposition to any proposed property tax freeze or any further limitations on its ability to
determine an appropriate balance between taxes and services for the City of Waukee.
Passed and approved on February 28,2000.
Attest:
Mark J.Arentsen,ity Administrator
ROLLCALL AYES NAYS ABSENT
Nick Gruber
Marvin Berger
Mike Watts
Wayne Johnson
Bill Peard
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