Kudos to Polk County, who as many counties across the state, recently passed their budget for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2009. Polk County cut taxes.
Complying with state law, they refigured their property tax rate following a recent re-evaluation based on a revenue neutral formula. Included in that rate adjustment was a growth rate factor. The current tax rate was 68 cents. With the reval, the revenue neutral rate would be 55 cents. But under the leadership of county manager, Ryan Whitson, they made the decision to take the growth rate factor out and reduced the rate to 52 cents, a reduction of 3 cents.
Also, Polk County citizens rejected a local land transfer tax increase last November by a three to one vote.
The folks in Polk County understand that the key to economic development, recovery from the recession and fiscal responsibility is in keeping tax rates low. Here?s hoping other counties, and the state, will follow their lead.
