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The Legislature’s Budget, Capital and Finance Committee will be asked to recommend that the Legislature set a 3% tax levy increase goal for the 2010 budget.  The proposed target came out of informal discussion by legislators at their annual budget retreat Wednesday, April 29.

If adopted by the Legislature, a 3% target would require the County Administrator to incorporate close to $4.4 million in program changes (through spending reductions or new revenue), as part of the 2010 tentative County budget to be presented in September for Legislature consideration.

The 3% target, if adopted, would translate to an average county tax rate of $5.93 per thousand dollars assessed valuation, a decrease of one-tenth of one percent, or a 53 cent decrease for a $100,000 home (assuming no change in assessed value.)

As a starting point for discussion, County Administrator Joe Mareane had suggested a slightly higher levy target of approximately 5%.

The budget committee will consider the target proposal at a brief meeting Tuesday, May 5, shortly before a recommendation is scheduled to be presented to the full Legislature.

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