In the last five years Allen County property owners have seen their appraised value increase at an alarming rate after several prior years of modest increases. In my own case, my property value has increased a little over 37 percent from 2020 to 2025 with no apparent end of increases in sight.
Added to this uncertainty for future property tax increases are constantly rising prices of items citizens use daily such as gasoline, health care, groceries, housing, etc. Taxpayers are angry and frustrated as they watch their retirement funds drop in value in the stock market. They apparently have no control over prices and retirement funds.
However, with the proposed half-cent sales tax that may be on the ballot in November, the voters do have a choice and it is likely to be “no” unless they are convinced that funds in the existing budget, enriched by additional tax money due to higher appraised property values, are not adequate to fund EMS.
The idea that visitors to the upcoming state park will spend and contribute to the sales tax pot does not help local people, but additional income is certainly welcome.
This is what families do when there is limited funds, they cut back on expenses for what money is available. This is what taxpayers expect their elected officials to do. Sometimes, hard decisions must be made about available funds rather than ask for more money.
Paul L. Zirjacks, a concerned citizen, Iola, Kan.
