News-Record.com

Six votes will pass Guilford County's 2008-09 budget. There's 11 members on the board, and a simple majority will make the budget go.

Let the lines be drawn.

County Manager David McNeill will present his budget to the Board of Commissioners on May 22. There are no new members on the board, so each will go into next week's meeting with an idea of what they want in the county's $550 million budget. Some said they want funding for community organizations. Others want more money for schools. And some want no new taxes, no matter what.

But what do you want to get funded? Contact your commissioner, or post a comment down here.

Commissioners tell us all the time that voters contact them and say this or that. But we'd also like to hear from you after you talk with your elected representative. What did they say? What do you want? It is your tax money, after all.

Also, in a conversation with Chairman Kirk Perkins today, he said that things going unfunded this year may come back to haunt the county later. So saving now may mean paying more for it later.

Because there's an expected property tax rate increase with the bonds that passed. We've been giving averages out for these bonds lately, but here's how it breaks down for the next couple years: In 2008-09, there will be a property tax rate increase of about $70 for the owner of a $200,000 home. In the following year, 2009-10, that homeowner will have another increase of about $100. Then, in 2010-11, that homeowner will pay an extra $16 on the tax bill.

That number fluctuates because bonds are issued and paid on different timetables and the property tax increases this year and next will go to cover those bonds. And while they are intended to cover the bond payments, what happens when the bonds are paid down? Who ever heard of a local government lowering taxes?