Morrisville tax burden
Published: Sun, Jun. 15, 2008 12:30AM
Modified Sun, Jun. 15, 2008 02:04AM
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closeRegarding Public Editor Ted Vaden's June 8 column "Budget stories don't tell the full story":
No, they don't. And neither did Vaden's column.
At a time when the price of a gallon of gas is $4, income growth has slowed, retirement accounts are shrinking and successful companies are holding spending to single-digit increases, Morrisville, not Raleigh, is proposing the Triangle's largest tax increase at 19 percent above revenue neutral.
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Almost as troubling, we missed the single public hearing opportunity to weigh in on the tax increase because of no media attention and only bare-bones legal requirements for public notice met.
In addition, The N&O has yet to address a somewhat troubling phenomenon: the sensational increase in value of specific residential parcels throughout the Triangle. In Morrisville, where the average residential increase was 38 percent, property value jumps of 200 percent, 300 percent and up to 500 percent in established and historic areas of town are not uncommon. For those property owners, a tax rate either at or above revenue neutral means one of two things -- a significantly higher tax bill for the same level of service or incentive to sell to the highest bidder. An after the fact discussion on gentrification will be of no benefit.
Jackie Holcombe, Morrisville
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