Tax rate cut would affect property owners differently, commissioners say

The Wichita Eagle

March 25, 2008

A proposal by some county commissioners to cut tax rates to offset recent increases in property valuation would not mean a tax cut for everyone, the county's finance chief said Tuesday.

If the county lopped its mill rate by 3 percent -- the amount of the average increase in 2008 property valuations -- some would see a decrease in taxes while others would see an increase, said Chris Chronis, chief financial officer for the county.

The county uses the mill levy and a property's value to calculate property taxes.

Because state law requires that everyone pay the same mill rate, there is no way to target the proposed tax relief to those whose property values rose this year, he said. Nor could it be targeted just to residential homeowners.

Commissioner David Unruh said he's concerned that a mill rate reduction might not have the desired effect of returning money to ordinary taxpayers.

'The practical effect is... Bradley Fair is going to get a nice little present and you and I may not get anything,' Unruh said.

Commission Chairman Tom Winters said he thinks the cut would send a message that the county doesn't want to profit from increased valuations, which anti-tax groups have characterized as stealth tax increases.

He acknowledged that some would benefit more than others, but added 'It's going to be a lesser tax bill for some people... I want to try to pursue that.'

For more, see Wednesday's Eagle.

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