Tully Mars
02-03-2006, 11:31 PM
I'm from the Bay. This all seems very weird to me.
Doc, I think right now the issue is one of survival. Both cities have lost the majority, if not all, of their tax base. Until they get to a reasonable level of redevelopment there will be no tax base to generate revenue to fund even the most basic services.
Think about this scenario:
Most of the property is southern Hancock county is now (for taxing purposes) considered unimproved property. Unimproved property is assessed at a lower rate than improved property. Last tax year it was all improved property. Someone now has to re-assess all of the property to establish the basis for taxing as unimproved property. With no revenue coming in, the municipal and/or county tax offices will likely not even have the money to pay assessors to do the work.
Combining some services right now makes good sense and should provide some level of effeciency. Combining cities in the long run may also provide an advantage as things begin to rebuild.
Doc, I think right now the issue is one of survival. Both cities have lost the majority, if not all, of their tax base. Until they get to a reasonable level of redevelopment there will be no tax base to generate revenue to fund even the most basic services.
Think about this scenario:
Most of the property is southern Hancock county is now (for taxing purposes) considered unimproved property. Unimproved property is assessed at a lower rate than improved property. Last tax year it was all improved property. Someone now has to re-assess all of the property to establish the basis for taxing as unimproved property. With no revenue coming in, the municipal and/or county tax offices will likely not even have the money to pay assessors to do the work.
Combining some services right now makes good sense and should provide some level of effeciency. Combining cities in the long run may also provide an advantage as things begin to rebuild.