A challenge to Lauzen and Burns

Chris Lauzen labels Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns a spendthrift for increasing the Geneva tax levy — the total property taxes billed to Geneva property owners — by 46 percent over the past 11 years. Mayor Burns cries foul, claiming Chris fails to take into account the additional tax revenues from new residential and commercial construction and the 24-percent inflation since 2001. Who is correct?

Under the Property Tax Extension Law, annual increases in the tax levy are capped by the increase in the urban consumer price index or 5 percent, whichever is less, plus taxes on properties added to the tax roll during the preceding year. Each year, the city council mindlessly increases the tax levy by the maximum amount permitted by law.

Clearly then, Mayor Burns can claim no credit for holding the line on taxes. But for the tax cap law, Geneva taxes might be considerably higher.

Of the 46-percent increase, 22 percent was taxes on new construction. Sen. Lauzen is wrong to question this portion of the increase.

Sen. Lauzen is correct, however, to question the 24-percent increase due to “inflation.”

Geneva and county residents are frustrated with continuing property tax increases during a time when property values have fallen by 30 percent, wage rates are stagnant and unemployment exceeds 9 percent. Under these conditions, the mayor’s claim of entitlement to tax increases based upon inflation rings hollow.

To have credibility with voters, Sen. Lauzen and Mayor Burns should pledge to limit future increases in the levy to the revenues from new construction, at least until such time as unemployment falls below 8 percent and property values have risen for two consecutive years. Residents have tightened their belts for several years. It’s time for elected officials, and those who seek election, to tighten theirs.

Ed Butts

Geneva