http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20110704/NEWS02/707049931
Published July 4, 2011 in the Rutland Herald
Homestead rate jumps 5 percent in Springfield
By SUSAN SMALLHEER
SPRINGFIELD — Taxes are going up close to 5 percent for all of Springfield’s homestead taxpayers.
Businesses and second home owners face a smaller increase, 1.73 percent, according to the new tax rates approved by the Springfield Select Board Thursday night.
On a 4-0 vote, with Selectman John Swanson absent, the board approved the two rates.
“We don’t have a lot of choice,” said Town Manager Robert Forguites.
The rate for Springfield’s homestead taxpayers — those who claim their primary residence is in Springfield — will be $2.70 per $100 of assessed property value, up 4.85 percent from last year’s rate of $2.58.
For the nonresidential taxpayers, which include second homes, businesses, apartments and utilities — “anything that is not a residence,” in the words of Forguites — the rate is $2.56.
Jeff Mobus, the town’s finance director, said the two tax rates were calculated differently. He attributed the main difference to the bond payments on the 2009-2010 renovations to the town’s two elementary schools.
Springfield voters approved both the $10.4 million town budget and the $26.1 million school budget at March town meeting. The margin of the often defeated school budget was 10 votes.
Forguites said that the nonresidential tax was higher than the homestead tax until a few years ago.
The town is essentially penalized by the state because it spends more on education than the state average, Mobus said.
Mobus said that 67 percent of all property in Springfield is considered homestead.
Both categories of property pay the full town portion of the tax rate, which this year is $1.18. The difference lies in the school tax, which is $1.48 for homestead taxpayers and $1.34 for nonresidential taxpayers.
The tax rate also includes funding for special appropriations, veterans’ property exemptions and the Windsor County tax.
Selectman Michael Knoras noted that Springfield Hospital had designated the Edgar May Health and Recreation Center for its tax break approved by the Vermont Legislature.
Under the bill, the Edgar May will pay 50 percent of its regular school tax.
The parent organization of the Springfield Hospital, Springfield Medical Care, is in the process of buying the Edgar May, a nonprofit health center in Springfield.
really? Wow!!!
ReplyDeleteJust what we need higher taxes....and higher water bills. Why doesn't Springfield Government just run everyone out of town and just leave the folks who are living off the system! No one who is still employed in this town will be able to afford to live here!
ReplyDeleteSo let me get this straight:
ReplyDeleteSpringfield schools under perform and the drop out rate is high enough to necessitate intervention by the state;
But, the per pupil expenditure is above the state average.
Does anyone else see the incongruity here??
I guess this is part of the continuing pattern of declining enrollments, escalating expenses, and no increases in student performance that plagues Springfield and a large part of the rest of Vermont. Hardly a recipe to attract businesses. or intelligent people with children.
I do not disagree. The problem is that we have the "do gooders" who agree with everything and make uneducated, uninformed decisions, with no forsight into the financial repercussions down the road and love to post that those of us who object are the problem. You have to laugh at the whole situation. Guess you have to open a non-profit at your home and request that your taxes be lowered. Or we could run these people out on rails. Again, they also voted in the town budget to buy NEW equipment instead of having fiscal restraint in spending.
ReplyDeleteFor the post two above...You are so on the mark about the schools and your whole post is on the mark. Now the schools have two BIG investigations happening one involving a Federal Agency with possible criminal charges and the family involved just added the US Dept of Justice into it. When I spoke with the family they will be adding a blog to publish files or paperwork or something from the school. Man oh man it is like the school and town dont know when to stop but the nosey neighbor in me will be watching for these things I am sorry to admit. Good post though man!
ReplyDeleteCRAZY. If I could sell my house, I'd pack up and move RIGHT NOW! This town is AWEFUL and the people running it (or think they are) aren't getting the message.
ReplyDeleteInstead of whining anonymously in the comment section, we should all make certain to get out and vote. If everyone who is pissed off voted we could say so long to the people who are keeping this town a mess. With the new and possibly good things happening, like the medical center and theater now would be a good time to sweep out the town office. With the exception of one common sense old J&L man, the select board seems out of step with what we need.
ReplyDeletePossible criminal charges? Dept. of Justice? It sounds like the school's staff conduct is finally being addressed instead of tolerated or swept under the rug! I hope they hold each one of those rotten individuals accountable for the misery they've caused so many by the misuse of their power. I wonder what possible penalties may ensue? Jail-time? Loss of licensure? Lost of property? Fines? I vote for all the above- they've proudly earned it!
ReplyDelete