That’s right…$3,287.85 of my $6,076.00 property tax bill for fiscal year 2007/2008 will go to Linn-Mar. The City of Robins will get 26% of my property taxes, Linn County will get 17%, Kirkwood Community College will get 2%, and the County Assessor and Agricultural Extension office will split the remaining 1%.
The seven citizens on the Linn-Mar school board determined and approved the tax rate for the school district. Of course, school board members perform many other duties besides setting tax rates, but most of those duties would be impossible to perform without the funds raised through property taxes.
How many citizens will be running for school boards on the September 11th ballot? What will be their qualifications? Will there be competition for the positions? Or will it be democracy by default? Will there be a debate or forum to hear their vision for our schools?
Using Linn-Mar as an example, in the 2000, 2001, and 2003 elections, 2 candidates ran for 2 positions. In the 2002 and 2005 elections, 3 candidates ran for 3 positions. In 2004, 3 candidates ran for 2 positions and in 2006, 4 candidates ran for 2 positions. How many will run in 2007?
If you intend to run for school board, you must file your nomination papers with the secretary of your school board no later than August 2nd. Go to http://www.linncounty.org/content.asp?Page_Id=651&Dept_Id=6 to view the school board terms expiring in 2007. If you need information, please contact your local school board secretary or call my office at 892-5300.
P.S. I know I could live in a mobile home like I did 21 years ago and reduce my property tax burden. I choose to live where I live and pay the taxes I pay; however, I would like to see tax rates, tax policy, and school funding debated by school board candidates prior to their election. This debate will likely only occur when we have competition for school board positions. Will you run? Will you encourage someone to run? --Joel @ 1:01pm