UPDATED: Group is feverishly trying to overturn Minnehaha county property tax opt-out
l3wis UPDATED: A group of about 35-40 concerned citizens have been trying to gather enough signatures by Wednesday’s deadline to put the property tax opt-out to a vote of the people. (The auditor’s office told them they had until the end of the day Wednesday to submit the signatures) But they may not have to worry about it. Apparently they are seeking an extension because of a mixup in the publication dates. They will know soon about that.
Rumor has it that the opt-out is misleading because the group says that the county commission is essentially raising property taxes RETROACTIVELY.
Apparently, the new proposed tax increase begins already in January, 2013 when the 2012 taxes will need to be paid. So in essence, by passing this tax increase in July and having it begin already next January, they are retroactively raising the tax rate going all the way back to January 2012. There is also a rumor that this opt-out had more to do with a raise for county workers then increasing costs in prosecutions. While it is true that they DO need the extra money for prosecutions, it will be interesting to see if it comes out about the pay increases.
They also have pointed out that the county commission may not have followed protocol before voting on the opt-out. It is in reference to public announcements before the vote.
