Pirate's Cove

Too bad they didn’t step in when property taxes exploded post-COVID when home values increased by over two times

And

NC reappraisal ‘moratorium’ advances as counties face budget gaps

Competing desires of North Carolina property owners and county tax collectors are coming to a head at the state capitol, where lawmakers say they want to try to insulate taxpayers from rising property costs.

The North Carolina state Senate on Tuesday voted 36-9 to give initial approval to Senate Bill 889, which would block most county governments from implementing new property taxes based on appraisals from this calendar year.

Local officials have expressed concern about legislation that limits their ability to generate revenue when the state’s population — and its needs — are growing, and as the cost of goods and services rises. Legislators heeded the concerns of some counties Tuesday by passing a last-minute amendment that exempts Clay, Chowan and Pamlico counties from the bill.

Of course, some Democrats do not like this

House Minority Leader Rep. Robert Reives, D-Chatham, has called the proposed amendment a “political stunt” to punish municipalities for using property taxes to fill budget holes created by lapses in state funding. Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch, D-Wake, on Tuesday criticized Berger’s proposal for not delivering long-term property tax relief.

Senate Democrats proposed an amendment to Berger’s bill that would have lowered the state’s income threshold to qualify for property tax exceptions. “Our amendments would have actually delivered results for people immediately, instead of just pausing things and kicking the can down the road.”

Trying to save citizens money is a “stunt”. Hell, the property taxes should be lowered. And you know what should happen? Deep dive audits into the finances of the counties. Let’s get a full picture of how the money forcibly taken from residents/property owners is being spent. Let’s see what kinds of waste, fraud, and graft is occurring. Let’s see how much they really do not need to spend. Treat them like a company, where spending must be responsible. Be like you, where you spend your money responsibly.

Oh, and BTW, when it comes to teacher pay, how about a compromise: the teachers who have been there at least 5 years get that 25% raise, but, at least two thirds of all those in administration and such, positions which are utterly unnecessary, are terminated and not replaced, plus an audit on how the money is spent. Oh, and having realistic goals and reviews for the teachers to see if they are performing.

The problem with government is that the minute they are short on money from their own incompetence, waste, and fraud they look to rip more money from citizens.