County Charts Taxes
Posted By J.T. on July 25, 2009
The Cass County Commission has released a chart showing where all property taxes are directed throughout all governments in Cass County.
It is important to note that this is a cumulative chart and that not every citizen lives in a fire-district or ambulance district. However, Cass County wanted to give a complete picture of all the property taxes collected in the county and show citizens where those dollars go.
“We are simply trying to be forthright with citizens and show them where the taxes they voted for are going,” stated Associate Commissioner Brian Baker. “We need schools, we need fire districts, and we need services. However, we get calls from people about our roads and other services and they want to know where the tax dollars go. It is a fair question. We are happy to show our citizens where their property tax dollars go - they voted to approve them and they deserve the information.”
The Commission has met with various entities and leaders throughout the county and provided them with the information. It is the hope of the Commission that further transparency will provide ideas, input, and progress. “We are trying to give voters information and we hope it will help us better serve them,” stated Baker.
71% ($62,231,391) goes to schools and 11% ($9,968,805.21) goes to the cities. You can view the entire chart HERE.
Cass County Government also wanted to show voters where the county portion of sales tax is distributed. “Voters approved sales tax efforts to fund law enforcement, the justice center, road issues, and general county services. We hope this will show voters where those dollars go and help them communicate with us,” stated Baker.
The total sales tax revenue from 2008 is $12,933,245.50. 40% of that ($5,174,347.34) is from the 1/2 cent general revenue fund. You can view that chart HERE.
A reminder that citizens can sign up to receive our information-email updates at http://www.casscounty.com.
Also, we would like to point out that the county no longer depends on property taxes for Cass County general revenue. Voters voted to cease the property tax for county general revenue and replaced it with the sales tax that now funds county general revenue. This vote took place several years ago.
-Cass County Commission-