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OTC property taxes may increase 4 percent [UPDATED]
Published 11:24am Monday, September 17, 2012 Updated 1:21pm Monday, September 17, 2012The Otter Tail County Board approved a preliminary budget and levy for 2013 that could raise property taxes by as much as 4 percent.
The bump in gas prices has contributed to the increase, and much of the change is due to general operating purposes. This includes the cost to operate and maintain county owned vehicles.
The net tax levy will increase from $31.8 million in 2012 to $33 million in 2013. The preliminary budget and levy approved is a cap, and the numbers can only go down before the time the final budget is approved several months from now.
“I think this is a good place to be right now,” said commissioner Doug Huebsch.
The budget and levy will be discussed further at a public hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Commissioners Room.
Commissioner Huebsch, this is a good place to be right now, a 4 percent raise in property taxes? If 4 percent is “good”, why not raise it to a “wonderful” level of 10 or even 20 percent increase?