Subscribers would pay less through fire taxes

Editor:

Re the July 13 News-Times editorial, Fire hearings could help:

The subscription fees are currently a form of taxation without the benefits. Since they are not mandatory, not all property owners pay the subscription fee. The fire departments, unlike the stormwater utility, are real enterprises and actually provide a service to all Columbia County residents.

Taxes would not rise; they would actually decrease. Even at the 2 mill rate, instead of paying $147 for the Subscription fee, I would only pay $106.26. After tax effect, now that the amount would be deductible, I would save about 39 percent.

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With the broader base of having all property owners paying the taxes, the rates should actually lower and provide additional savings. People with more expensive homes and higher incomes would see even greater savings.

Bob Cipperly

Evans