I just received my Moorestown property re-appraisal results. A ten percent reduction in the “assessed value” of my mostly hot air property! This is wonderful news, as it will no doubt lead to a reduction in my quarterly real estate taxes.
But hold the phone — why am I troubled by a residual foreboding that I need to wait for the other shoe to drop?
Could it be that local management will justify a significant increase in the various tax rates because, of course, overall ratables have fallen “precipitously” as evidenced by the results of the township-wide re-appraisal? We all heard that too many township assessments were being successfully appealed, so of course that trend needed to be stopped. So let’s modify all of the appraisals. Then, to avoid the specter of reduced revenues, jack up the tax rates by a higher percentage than the reduction in appraised values!
Tax rates can be voted on, but once enacted, cannot be appealed. Problem solved.
In this economy we have all needed to tighten our belts. Let’s be sure to examine the next township budget requests carefully. Less value should equal less tax, not more.
-Henry Applegate
