The levy rates in many of the entities in Mount Vernon and Lisbon are going down (City of Lisbon’s is the only seeing a slight uptick) this next fiscal year.

Part of that, as all entities have noted, is because of the increase of property valuations from the year prior, that helps the city generate more tax revenues in these communities, which in turn leads to usually the year after a rollback a decrease in levy rates. In the case of Mount Vernon Schools levy rate, that has been slowly on a downwards trend for a number of years.

We do look at the property tax reform that is making it’s way through the state legislature and hope some relief or consensus is coming.

But we also understand that depending on the amounts of relief, there may be things on the horizon to also be worried about. Both our schools and city governments have done what they can to keep many essential services running in these communities with the funding they receive.

It’s coming to a point where as city administrator Chris Nosbisch said they are running out of tricks to stretch budgets and keep levy rates at the amount they have. With large projects on the horizon and costs increasing, some of the little amenities may need to be cut. As citizens it may be time to start noting what are the things we expect in quality of life in our communities we need to see preserved and what is okay to let lapse.

For decades, Mount Vernon’s levy rate was $12.50 per $1,000, and only stepped up to $13.50 per $1,000 in the last few years.

The property tax relief bills as Rep. Cindy Golding notes in her own column are vastly different, and some offer more relief and local control than others. And whatever is implemented doesn’t take effect until 2028.

What’s desperately needed is to get more time between assessments, period. Because as ( ) Fleming noted, people are being squeezed by the increases for valuations to properties that rise significantly each time assessments happen. There’s a lot of pointing of fingers on that issue – is it the assessment or levy rate that’s responsible for the pain those are feeling. Giving land and property owners time to get used to assessments and the new taxes before the next cycle will help, even if that is moving to a three year rotation between assessments instead.