Property Tax

The increase in property taxes has had an additional burden on many who already are experiencing financial hardships. This has become a difficult issue to address for many reasons. Property taxes are used to fund many essential services at the city/county level. The budget that is set directly impacts the amount of property taxes that are paid. Property appraisals play a key role in determining the property tax. Article 11 of the Kansas Constitution requires the county appraisal to value property in a uniform and equal manner. This can be done using market value, replacement cost, and/or income approach. The method used in Sedgwick county has been called into question. When sales of at least 3 comparable homes are not found, the appraiser uses a computer program that defaults to using replacement cost. In the past 2 years, 20,0000 property owners appealed their property value assessment. The appeal process here resulted in two-thirds being rejected last year. The evaluation process is difficult to understand. Many commissioners were unaware that replacement cost was a method even being used. The system is broken on many levels. Programs need funding AND people need economic relief. Reducing budgetary expenses will play a role (as long as cutting those services do not end up costing the community more). Those most impacted by property and sales taxes are low-moderate income Kansans. Can a broken system be fixed? Is there another approach that does not overburden low-moderate income Kansas yet still ensures government services are funded? One thing is for certain, something has to change. My role in creating change is to be responsible when it comes to determining budgetary needs, to push the conversation at both the local and state level to fight for systemic change, evaluate the discrepancies that exist and make sure Sedgwick county is following the law. Simply because this is the way it has always been done, doesn’t mean there isn’t a better approach.