Veterans share their tax comments

Veterans share their tax comments

DUNDEE--More than 40 people attended a public hearing held by the Dundee school board to discuss the proposed veterans tax exemption in the district. Many of those in attendance were veterans, and while a majority of those in the room supported the exemption, others also spoke against the proposition.
School business official Melissa Lawson said if the exemption were approved by the board, it would result in an increase of approximately 12 to 14 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for those who do not receive the exemption. She said the exemption does not change the levy, only increases what the non-exempt taxpayers have to pay.
"It does not change the amount of tax levy the district is raising," Lawson said. "What it does is spread that levy out differently."
Many of those who attended spoke in support of the exemption.
"We are here because we believe this school tax exemption is important to us," Bob Taylor said. "[...] We also think it is important the Dundee School District show support for the veterans and the veterans in our community."
Taylor recognized representatives from the area Veterans of Foreign Wars post as well as the American Legion who had also assembled to show their support for the exemption. Larry Krause echoed his support for the proposal, saying it is a helps recognize those veterans who are disabled due to their service in the military.
"We are part of the community but everyone is an individual," Taylor said. "Each person has his or her own reason for wanting the exemption."
Gregory Langelius also spoke in support of the measure as an opportunity for the veterans to make decisions about taxes and the funding of the school. However, Langelius said he thinks the proposal should not go any higher than what is currently proposed. Mary Ann D'Andrade said she supported the exemption because it should help where the state and federal government have failed to provide for veterans.
"The federal government has failed in taking care of its vets for a long, long time," D'Andrade said.
However, not all those who attended were in support of the proposed exemption. Veteran and Starkey Councilman Fred Shoemaker said while he would support it if the money came from the state, he does not agree with asking neighbors to "pick up our share for it."
"This law doesn't pay for itself," Shoemaker said. "[...] I don't think it is right to ask more from our friends and neighbors to compensate for the fact we were in a war." Another veteran in the crowd agreed with Shoemaker, adding he would rather see the money go toward educating kids.
The board did not take any action regarding the proposed resolution, but added a resolution would need to be acted on by March 1, 2015, for it to go into effect for the next round of school taxes.