By Al Sperry, Hamilton
I just received the Official School Election Ballot. Some in the Valley want to increase your taxes. They always use the $100,000 figure so as not too make it look bad. The average house in Ravalli County is between $300.00 and $350.000 so the taxes would increase by $42.00 a year. The average tax is around $1,401.00 so add another $42.00 to that.
There are a lot of tax payers living on fixed income and could not afford that kind of increase, it would be pay more taxes and cut back on food and medicine. This will also affect those who rent because the monthly rent will also go up. The College In Missoula is only 40 miles away and they provide all the needs that a student could want.
I also read in the January 10th paper that the Bitterroot Public Library wants more of your hard earned money. They say they have not asked for more money in 20 years BUT they get more money in taxes each year because of the new houses being built in the area. That would add another $14.17 to your tax bill.
Then you look at the Corvallis School, they want over $25.00 a year in new taxes.
The tax payers in Ravalli County cannot afford all the new taxes. Live with what you have. VOTE NO on the Community College.