Politics & Government

Property Taxes Amount to Peanuts in St. Charles County, Councilman Says

Council likely to consider tax increase for 2012 budget to compensate for flat sales taxes; some council members are don't like idea of a hike.

St. Charles County Councilman John White took a look at how much taxpayers pay in property taxes to. It was peanuts.

During the last St. Charles County Council meeting, White showed his tax bill, which totaled $3,000. Most of that money went to school, fire protection and other taxing districts.

But St. Charles County received 72 cents from his property tax, just enough to buy a bag of peanuts from grocery store. In fact, White pulled out a bag of peanuts to demonstrate that fact at the last St. Charles County Council meeting Sept. 26.

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The average St. Charles County taxpayer will pay 69 cents to county government at a rate of 16 cents per $100 assessed valuation on their 2011 property taxes, he said.

White said the county council may need to consider a property tax increase for to help balance the 2012 budget. That increase would affect property taxes due Dec. 31, 2012.

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“We’ve cut back and fired so many people, eliminated positions, had people double up on duties, we’ve cut services,” White said.

County workers also were required to take furloughs, or unpaid vacation, he said.

In a previous Patch article, Sheriff Tom Neer said his department is losing its more experienced deputies to higher paying jobs because they have not received raises for two years.

“Help the little guy”

However, Councilman Paul Wynn, R-District 4, said he’s completely against raising rates.

“You help the little guy by reducing his taxes, not by taking more of his money,” said Wynn, of O’Fallon.

He said the county does receive very little from property taxes, but school, fire and other taxing districts still take plenty.

The county also receives funds from sales taxes, but that has seen very small growth in recent years.

White said he hasn’t made up his mind to increase property taxes yet.

“We’ll see how we finish the year out with the sales tax,” he said. “If it isn’t significantly stronger or at least stronger than it is now, we may need (an increase).”

White said he hopes a tax increase would help provide raises, keep from cutting more services and perhaps restore some money to the county’s reserve fund.

Wait and see

Councilwoman Nancy Matheny, R-District 3, of Weldon Spring, said she prefers to see County Executive Steve Ehlmann’s 2012 budget proposal for the 2012 first. However, she made it clear she is loath to raise taxes.

“If we want to keep good people, then we have to pay them fairly,” said Matheny, of Weldon Spring. “Is that the No. 1 thing I’m worried about? No. I’m worried about the taxpayer.”

She said the assessed value on her home had gone down, but her property taxes increased because taxing districts such as schools and fire districts increased their tax rates.

White agreed it’s something the county council members will need to discuss during budget sessions.

He said the council has lowered property taxes for the last several years, going from 3 cents per $100 assessed valuation down to 16 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

Wynn said he believes much of what government does is not legitimately the work of government, which he believes should focus on providing safety and infrastructure.

“Somebody gets a free K through 12 education, free community college, university scholarships and grants, and then we approve hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants for job training when they lose their job,” Wynn said.

“I took not one dime of unemployment when I lost my job. I didn’t accept free government training,” he said. “I got out and found a job. I had to go to Afghanistan to find it, but I got one.”

Wynn announced at the Sept. 26 meeting that his new job would require him to be in Afghanistan, but that he will continue to fulfill his council duties.


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