Lower assessments

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To the Editor:

The Kane County assessor knows of the falling property values nationwide and in Kane County.

Yet my and all my neighbors’ assessed valuation for taxes due in 2008 have increased 6 percent.

Property owners across the United States are clamoring for county governments to reassess the values of their homes because of these falling values.

I have complained to the Kane County assessor’s office several times and always get the same stock answer: “Your neighbor’s home sold this for this, so we assume your house has increased the same.”

The assessor’s assistant does not care that the seller might have installed new carpeting, granite fixtures, etc., that drove up the price and I did not, but he still values my and your home higher because of what others are selling for.

This, as most agree, is an archaic, unfair and, frankly, stupid way to squeeze the taxpayers.

We challenge the assessments of the homes in Kane County for taxes due in 2008. People cannot sell their homes, have less money, and the Kane County government is asking for higher taxes due in 2008. Instead, there should be massive expense cuts. Kane County should immediately reduce expenses and reassess homes downward so that the taxpayer pays less in 2008, rather than more.

Kane County relies on property taxes and must find ways to replace this lost revenue by cutting services, laying off staff or delaying projects. It must match the crisis mode of taxpayers, not raise taxes.

Here’s a start.

Sixty-five percent of the average property tax goes to schools.

Some facts are: According to the public proposed school budget for 2008, property taxes are 84 percent of the 2008 school budget; educator salaries and benefits are 75 percent of that budget; and the school board is asking for a 7 percent increase in spite of inflation of 3 percent.

Other facts: 65 teachers make more than $90,000 for nine month’s work ($58 a hour); 22 teachers make more than $100,000 ($64 a hour) and, amazingly, St. Charles school district has six assistant superintendents averaging $140,000 a year ($700,000). Why are there six assistant superintendents?

The County Board has caved in to the teachers union, and the taxpayers are getting killed as a result.

George McGrath

St. Charles