Property Tax Cap Initiatives

ACT IV, V, VI

 

  ALLIANCE OF CONCERNED TAXPAYERS (ACT)             

NEWS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release:

                          

 

On Monday, the Alliance of Concerned Taxpayers filed the second in a series of initiatives with the Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk’s office that will give the public a greater voice in their future tax bills.  These initiatives will lower the property tax cap from 8 mills to 6.5 mills, and freeze property tax exemptions for senior citizens and disabled veterans at current levels.

 

Soldotna, Alaska (April 4, 2005) -- The Alliance of Concerned Taxpayers (ACT) filed three initiatives with the Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerks office that will reduce the current 8 mill borough wide property tax cap to 6.5 mills.  It will also require that any future increase above 6.5 mills be approved by at least 60% of voters to pass. 

 

“These initiatives will not force any tax cuts as the borough wide property rate is already set at 6.5 mills.  However, future increases above 6.5 mills will require voter approval.  This will force the assembly and administration to justify how public money is being spent to the tax payers who ultimately pay the bills,” said Mike McBride, ACT President and initiative Alternate Sponsor

 

Three versions of this initiative were submitted to the Borough Clerk at 1:20 pm today.  ACT IV will lower the borough wide property tax cap from 8 mills to 6.5 mills.  ACT V has all the features of ACT IV, plus it will freeze the residential, senior citizen, and disabled veterans property tax exemptions at current levels.  ACT VI has all the features of ACT V, plus it will repeal property tax appeal filing fees recently enacted by the assembly.  All three will require a 60% vote of the public for any future changes.  Because this is a grassroots effort, ACT organizers will ultimately choose which initiative of the three to circulate for signatures based on demonstrated public interest and support.

 

All three initiatives were submitted with at least 34 co-sponsors.  Co-sponsors are the people who later in the process will be authorized to collect the required 1,530 signatures from registered voters of the borough in the 90 days allowed by law.  Once the required 1,530 signatures have been certified, these initiatives will be placed on the fall municipal ballot where the public will decide their future.

 

“Borough voters, who approved the increase in residential property tax exemptions last year, did not vote to raise their overall mill rate or to take away exemptions from senior citizens and disabled veterans.  We have the right to know whether the proposition approved by the voters’ last election was truly tax relief as it was promoted, or a tax shift to others.  These initiatives do not prevent the Borough from raising property tax rates; it simply requires that voters approve such increases.  Requiring voter approval for property tax increases will force the Borough to place all their cards on the table” said James Price, Initiative Prime Sponsor.

 

The borough has until April 18^th to verify co-sponsor signatures and to certify the initiatives.  During that time ACT organizers plan to continue collecting co-sponsors to help with the next phase. 

 

“Tax increases should always be the last resort to balance any budget, not the first.  Instead of only requiring five assembly people to make these decisions that can dramatically affect our taxes, any increase in the cost of local government should be approved by the majority of those paying the bills.  I don’t think most people want five people deciding their fate,” said Vicki Pate, ACT Vice President.

 

The Alliance of Concerned Taxpayers was formed to encourage ordinary citizens to become more active in their local government.  The primary goal is to empower voters with the tools required to effect real change.  ACT holds public meetings at different locations and times.  Anyone interested in attending the meetings should call ACT at 776-5444 or email act_kpb@yahoo.com for details.

 

“This great nation was founded as a result of rebellion against high taxes.  Fortunately our founding fathers put safeguards in place where the people can have a say in how much they pay in taxes without having to take up arms against the government.  This is what the initiative process allows us to do.  It empowers the people to be more directly involved in important decisions that will affect their future and the future of our community,” McBride said.

 

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