TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas Senate committee is weighing a proposal to move up the effective date of a property tax lid from 2018 to later this year.
The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal (https://bit.ly/1TLFdhN ) reports that the lid passed by lawmakers last year bars counties and cities from increasing property taxes above the rate of inflation without a vote.
The legislation’s language makes holding an election during the current budget cycle difficult. Sedgwick County offered an amendment it says will ensure the ability to have election on property tax increases if needed.
“It wasn’t intended to be a tax lid. It was intended to be voter empowerment,” said Jim Howell, Sedgwick County Commission chairman. “But unfortunately without changing some dates in the property tax calendar it’s not possible to do an election.”
Supporters of accelerating the implementation of a property tax lid have argued that a shortened timeline will fight counties’ and cities’ incentives to boost taxes.
In joint testimony, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce said the state’s property tax growth is excessive and unsustainable.
“We trust the voters to elect their leaders,” the groups said in a statement. “Shouldn’t we trust them to decide whether an increase in property taxes which exceeds inflation is necessary?”
A city of Topeka report urges lawmakers to allow local governments to retain control over taxes. The analysis acknowledges that property taxes have risen above the rate of inflation, but argues that this isn’t because of property reappraisals, but new construction. It also gives examples of how the state has burdened local governments with taxes over the years.
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Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, https://www.cjonline.com
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