HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-08-20 Public Comment - R. Sisson - Parks and Trails DistrictFrom: agenda@bozeman.net
To: Agenda
Subject: Thank you for your public comment.
Date: Sunday, March 8, 2020 6:31:17 AM
A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted.
Form Name: Public Comment Form
Date & Time: 03/08/2020 6:31 AM
Response #: 360
Submitter ID: 25410
IP address: 47.26.224.204
Time to complete: 10 min. , 24 sec.
Survey Details
Page 1
Public comment may be submitted via the form below, or by any of the following options.
Public comment may also be given at any public meeting.
Email:
agenda@bozeman.net
Mail to:
Attn: City Commission
PO Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771
In-person delivery to:
Attn: City Commission
City Clerk's Office
City Hall, Suite 202
121 N. Rouse Ave.
Bozeman, MT
First Name Rob
Last Name Sisson
Email Address robsisson@yahoo.com
Phone Number 2696899659
Comments
The front page article in the Chronicle today inspires me to ask you a question. It seems every taxing
authority in Gallatin County uses each election to request higher property taxes. Just the gauntlet of
requests over the past year is enough to cause voter fatigue. I served on a city commission for 14 years and
two terms as mayor, for a Michigan city of 12,000 people. That city wasn't blessed with growth as is
Bozeman. We couldn't raise taxes because our citizens were mired in a downward spiral of job loss and
fewer opportunities. Property values tanked by 30% in the 2000's. We had to trim staff by one-third,
privatize services, and find creative ways to get "the job" done without raising taxes. It wasn't fun.
Just a few weeks ago, I received a marketing email from a local realtor with the statistic that property
values in Bozeman have increased 39% over the past three years. Presumably, that translates into a nearly
equal increase in tax revenue for taxing authorities.
Ideally, as you know, that's how taxing authorities should be able to increase spending...grow the tax base,
not the tax rate. So, my questions are:
1. Don't the increasing property values translate into a higher tax base for you?
2. If yes, where has the 39% increase in tax revenue gone, if not to parks, public safety buildings, etc?
Thanks,
Rob
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Thank you,
City Of Bozeman
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