I knew it was coming.

I've just gotten around to reading the final report on the Blue Ribbon Committee on the Future of Wake County. For those who haven't read the 65-page report released last month, let me summarize it: We got trouble with a capital T.

That's T as in taxes.

The committee looked at steps we must take from now until 2030 to maintain our quality of life. It concluded that we're a little short on the cash we need -- about $11 billion.

The report discusses just about every option to raise money short of asking everyone to dig under couch cushions.

I've long wondered whether, in this atmosphere of tight funds, the county should have a policy of revenue-neutral revaluations. In revenue-neutral revaluations, the county immediately lowers the property tax rate after a revaluation pushes up property values so that tax bills don't rise.

This has been the practice in Wake County; politicians don't like to anger voters. But, politics aside, does this make sense?

This is a county that becomes a better place to live each year -- note the story on 1N today about people who work in southern Virginia but live in Wake because of our superior amenities.

County Manager David Cooke last July told me that it was "an interesting question" whether the revaluation policy was wise and said officials were looking into it. So I knew I'd find it if I kept looking, and there it was on page 48 of the committee's report: "The county should move to a four-year revaluation period and maintain the tax rate in effect at the time of revaluation." The change will "better reflect growth in the county," the report said.

Reevaluating every four years instead of eight will help reduce "sticker shock" for taxpayers, the report stated.

The report said, essentially, that tax increases should be a last resort, so this recommendation may not go far. It may or may not be a good idea, but it will surely be controversial.

We'll see. Now, if you'll excuse me, my brain has an appointment with a lounge chair.