TO THE EDITOR

In last week's Lincoln Journal, "tax defender" was at it again! But his logical arguments hardly exceeded the name-calling, using descriptors such as innately stupid, ignorant, deceitful, cruel, and dishonest. Why shouldn't there be an open exchange on taxes in this county? Isn't that how our system is supposed to work?

A big point is made that although total taxes in the county have gone up 91% over nine years, those under the control of commissioner have (only?) gone up approximately 6.8% each year for the past 10 years. Check it out, 6.8% compounded annually for 10 years results in about 93% overall. What are we supposed to make of that? What's the point? Those seem to be pretty large increases, worthy of critique! Data from the state indicate only 13 out of 159 counties in the state had increases higher than Lincoln County.

The tax defender makes the point that collectively the total tax bill increased 91%, but what you pay is split four ways. No matter how the tax receipts are divided up, taxpayers still pay 91% more. Some of the recipients received more than a 91% increase each (apparently the commission and the BOE) and others less, producing an overall average of 91%.

The defender also makes the point that "The largest portion of our taxes goes to the Lincoln County Board of Education." Data published in The Lincoln Journal, 9/4/08, indicate that Lincoln County School taxes increased 97% from year 2003 to 2008 (and another 15.53% for 2009), while taxes for county government increased 67% during that same period (5 years). Again, worthy of critique!

He mentions and quickly dismisses the availability of "local option homestead exemptions." For one of our local candidates to introduce a homestead "tax freeze exemption" seems to be a potentially beneficial addition to the political tax dialogue in the county. It certainly helps make clear that our elected officials have more discretion in setting the local tax strategy than is generally recognized. There apparently are more local option homestead exemption possibilities than just simple "tax freezes," some of which might be helpful in economic development. An important point here is that property valuations do not determine our overall taxes; locally elected officials do by setting exemptions and tax rates.

The defender concludes, apparently on his own, that a homestead tax freeze exemption is economically not possible and therefore a cruel ploy. Wow! Check it out, apparently candidates of both parties are stating support for a property tax freeze under homestead exemption provisions. I don't know whether it is feasible or not, but it seems worthy of consideration.

There is one part of his letter with which I whole-heartedly agree: "So know the truth citizens of Lincoln County. The truth will never lead you astray. Examine closely those who openly distort the truth by deceit, and reject them and their candidates on November 4th." And I say, be careful of those who would claim that only they are committed to the truth!

JB MATHEWS