As a Town Board Supervisor, I have been involved in the budgeting process starting with the 2009 Town Budget. During my tenure on the Board, we have a consistent record in holding the line on the Town portion of your tax bill. Mill rates, assessed value, tax credits, multiple government units taxing your property, all add to the confusing jumble of your property tax bill. Let me illustrate a couple ways on how to judge the Town on its share of your property taxes:
1.) The Town of Middleton is responsible for only 15.6% of your 2012 total property taxes. This number has been consistently falling since I joined the Town Board. It was 19.3 % the year before my service started.
2.) The average town tax paid by town residents was $1,173.00 in 2009. In 2012 it was $1,215, just $42 more than in 2009.
The entire Town was re-assessed in 2012 as required by State Law. Your particular property taxes may have been greatly affected by this re-assessment. Some of my neighbors assessments went down, some went up. My assessment went up and hence my property tax bill increased significantly.
I would welcome resident participation in our budgeting process. It will start in the fall when staff presents a draft budget and the Board begins deliberations on a final budget. We strive to control spending and I for one, would appreciate input from residents on our discretionary spending. I feel the town is run very efficiently and we are always watchful of your tax dollars.
Please review the following Tax Facts for the Town of Middleton for more detailed tax information:
(click on image for larger version)