Here are some facts to go along with varied opinions.... Commercial property taxes in Minnesota are DOUBLE those in Wisconsin and Iowa (see Terry Fiedler's 2/9/04 article in the Strib.)
Minneapolis commercial property taxes are 400% higher than residential homestead property taxes. A homeowner pays roughly 1% of his/her market value, a businessowner pays 4%. A $200,000 home would generate approximately $2,000 this year, a $200,000 small business property would generate $8,000. I'd be interested in hearing arguments in favor of the discrepancy. A specific example: 504 Cedar Avenue South.... Property taxes last year: $8,230.84. This year: $19,228.76. January gas bill last year: $1300. This year: $2,400. Insurance premium last year: $5,400. This year: $22,000. Minneapolis water/sewer bills are significantly higher than surrounding communities. State Auditor Pat Awada's office is looking into this issue. The question to consider and debate is: Do businesses (including landlords) pay taxes? Or....do they simply COLLECT taxes from their customers, tenants, and employees? Each time taxes are increased, the price of goods/services/rent increases too. Victoria Heller, North Oaks Cedar-Riverside (work) REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
