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LETTER: Shocked in Walton: It's time to TRIM!
As have most Walton County property owners, I have just received my 2010 Truth in Millage notice. To say the least, I am shocked at the results.
On my full-time residence, property taxes are proposed to go up 18.3 percent this year alone. Per the TRIM notices, since 2007 my property’s market value has gone down by 44.9 percent while the assessed value has gone up by 8.5 percent. The CPI factor used in the TRIM statement ending in December 2009 is up by 2.7 percent while the annual CPI rate for 2009 was actually down 0.4 percent!
I hope the Walton County commissioners will put a stop to this situation by lowering the various millage rates in line with what’s happening in the real world. County spending at all levels must be brought in line! From what I understand (secondhand information), Walton County had a reserve fund exceeding $175 million five years ago but it’s now down to the $10 million range.
We will never be able to advance to Financial Management 102 at this rate. I don’t think I’m the only person in Walton County who is perplexed about the TRIM notices.
— JOHN BARNHART
Seacrest
