Editorial: Build a better budget

Your property values continue to fall. So, too, does the amount you can claim for your homeowner's exemption. Therefore, your property taxes must go down too, right?

Not necessarily. Even though what you own now is probably worth less than it was last year, which was less than the year before, which was less than the year before, which was less than the year before that, you might very well have seen a consistent increase in your property taxes. And with it, a jump in your blood pressure, too.

Let's put some big numbers into perspective. Since 2008, the assessed valuation of property in Kootenai County has fallen $5.776 billion. That's half of today's overall assessed valuation in the county of $11.273 billion.

While you may feel a sense of loss that your property - the biggest investment most of us will have in our lifetime - has decreased substantially in value since the recession hit, the actual value of that property isn't terribly important until you try to sell it. Remember in 2005 and 2006, when a big number stared up at you from the sheet of paper the county assessor had mailed at this time of year, making it look like your dwelling and the property it's located on were just like money in the bank? That was an illusion, too - unless you were selling it at or near that amount. As we've learned during the good times and bad, your property's assessed valuation may skyrocket or plummet, but your property taxes will almost assuredly go one direction only.

Our message to you today is twofold. One is to be better informed. The other is to be more involved.

On your assessor's notice is a listing of all the taxing districts your property taxes support. Each of them invites the public to participate in their budget-setting process. It's true - they really do want your help in determining what shape that budget takes. But part of the process involves understanding how those tax dollars are being spent. When it's time for hard decisions, the answers then will be more clear.

If you do not support an increase in taxes, what impact will a flat budget have? If cuts are desired, where should they be made? To wages and benefits? To the number of jobs? What specific services should be reduced or eliminated to make up the deficit?

It's easy to say "no more taxes" and to object like mad when the people in control of your tax dollars are seemingly oblivious to the struggles you may be having with your own budget. But a little bit of homework and involvement will help you and those managing your tax dollars make wise decisions. Contact the taxing entities on your valuation notice and become a bigger part of the property tax solution.