Some Montgomery Co. Commissioners Looking Into Property Tax Increase
Some Montgomery County commissioners want to increase the county’s property tax. They say there’s not enough money in the budget to fund changes needed in Montgomery.
Montgomery County Commissioner, Elton Dean, says he wants to propose an increase in property taxes, also known as valorem taxes — but in one condition: that the county lowers its portion of the 10% sales tax, which is 2.5%, by one cent.
Some people would say it’s pretty to live in the city of Montgomery, that is, if you compare it to other cities across the U.S. And how much you pay depends on a few things: What kind of property you own and whether you live in the city or county.
“Our advelorum property tax is among the lowest in the United States,” Said Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange.
The county current millage rate is 29 mills. The city’s is 36 mills — property that added up to nearly $28 million in revenue for the county. But chairman of the county commission, Elton Dean, says he wants to improve Montgomery schools and that means increasing what you pay for property tax by increasing the millage rate.
“I would think that an additional 20 mills will get us where we need to go. We’re not just talking about just public school education, we’re talking about education as a whole, we’re talking about infrastructure,” Said Dean.
Money he says could be used for not only improving schools, but also paving roads and removing dilapidated properties.
But Dean says the only way he’d increase the property tax is if the 10% sales tax is lowered by once cent.
Montgomery’s revenue records show property tax and sales tax revenue combined bring $53 million into Montgomery county — that’s less than half of how much revenue Mobile County makes (about $105 million).
So would the city be willing to increase property taxes to get an extra cent on sales tax?
“An advelorum tax from a city stand point is not as good as an occupational tax,” Said Strange, yet he says he would still vote for the advelorum tax increase — but he doesn’t believe it would happen.
“People, both elected offices as well as the public, just will not vote themselves increased taxes,” Said Strange.
But some taxpayers say they don’t really mind paying more.
“I am willing to pay taxes, more property taxes to help fund and support those resources in our community that we decide we want,” Said Montgomery Resident Jaunita Owes.
