Morrisville officials and staffers are talking over an idea to raise the property tax rate just as water/sewer bills are expected to decrease since a debt has been paid off. That idea evoked this response from Morrisville councilman Mark Stohlman to the town manager’s idea:
“It’s a sleight of hand,” Stohlman said. “I’m not willing to sell folks on a tax increase because you are getting a savings on a water bill.”
Under Whitson’s proposal the 6.35 cent tax increase would not be permanent. It would apply to one year and would be trimmed each successive year. By 2017 the rate would be 39 cents for every $100 of assessed value. Morrisville’s 2012 tax rate is 36.65 cents per $100 of value.
If the council supports a tax hike, they should make their case. We’ll see if town residents buy into the switch.
