TAXES: Equation doesn't add up

As I wrote my check for my 2011 property taxes, I couldn't help but notice that although my assessed value decreased by 6.5 percent from 2010, my tax bill increased 4.3 percent. Enclosed with my tax bill was a letter from Tom Malzahn, our county treasurer, addressing this oxymoron. Mr. Malzahn states that "with the exception of the City of Fernan Lake and the Twin Lakes Flood Control District, and excluding school districts, every district increased budget over last year. Every district includes the County, Cities, Highway Districts, Fire Districts, Water and Sewer Districts, North Idaho College, and the Ambulance District."

The bizarre method by which Idaho calculates property taxes has been a recurring issue over the years, but it gave me an Idea! I realized I've been taking the wrong approach to managing my personal finances. I've been operating under the notion that I should live within my means and create a budget starting with how much money I earn, and spending only up to that amount. Of course the obvious flaw in my method is that sometimes I must postpone or cancel buying something I want simply because I can't afford it! There must be an easier way!

It occurred to me that maybe I should take a lesson in money management and budgeting from these agencies, since they apparently don't have this problem. They calculate their budgets by adding up all the things they want to spend money on, then send the taxpayers a bill for whatever that amount happens to be. So I think from now on, I am going to emulate the government budgeting method. I'm going to add up all the things I need, and all the things that I want, and then simply send my employer a bill outlining the wage he must pay me in the coming year to cover the increase in my personal budget. This will make living within my means so much easier! I can't believe I didn't think of this before now.

KEVEN JOHNSON

Coeur d'Alene