I guess Madisonians must like regressive taxes. Saying they were acting on public feedback, the Madison City Commission passed a second special maintenance fee Monday night. This road-funding measure amends the tax that was referred and illegally rescinded in June by capping payments at $100. The fee thus raises 30% less revenue and lays a larger percentage of the new tax burden on lower-income landowners.
One of the citizens who petitioned for a public vote on the first abortive special maintenance fee asked if this second try is referrable. Mayor Roy Lindsay said the city would allow this tax to come to a public vote. Remember that last month the city shelved the referendum petition by contending that special maintenance fees may be administrative decisions not subject to referendum. The city never got an answer from the Attorney General on that question, but the city appears to be accepting the pretty clear language in the special assessment laws that says such fees are referrable.
The first special maintenance fee drew a petition drive because numerous residents thought the tax unfair. If unfairness motivates petition drives, then this second try deserves all the more petition attention. What do you think, neighbors? Wil you be marching petitions around town again?
It may seem more fair to residential owners in the middle who will be less motivated because their corner lots have the cap, but without collecting the additional revenue from the large industrial lots, it's hard to know just how the numbers play out for them over time.
But it's totally inequitable for people at the extremes. If someone owns a flood lot (for a garden or whatever) assessed at $175 the city just turned that in to a money maker and a liability for the owner. Can you deed it back to the city? That lot pays the same as Prostrollo's valued at $1,300,000 and hundreds of frontage.
It's bad policy!
City will do whatever the city wants to do. People who own multiple properties that have made large investments in this city will always feel like they are screwed. And rightfully so. Oh that's right, it can be passed onto renters...
Just because a business can raise prices to cover for city, school, whatever higher taxes and fees doesn't make it right!!
Not much to do with Madison's problems, but I just saw a truck hauling sand with 32 wheels on tractor and trailers. But just like us, they paid wheel tax on only the first 4 wheels. Republicans in Pierre are unable to count past four without serious error.
Doug,
Just yesterday afternoon I counted a truck/Trailer westbound on I90 that had 40 tires on the ground, right ahead was a little Civic with the customary 4 and I made your same comment to my wife.