County tax hike unacceptable

Editor:

Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.

This is a mantra that was around during the Great Depression (and has always been practiced by many families all along). It is also the mantra that is needed by the board of

supervisors during these trying times.

It is especially necessary for those of us who are retired and on a fixed income. I want to cite an example of how county taxes have impacted one family — namely mine.

In 1995, when we moved into Madison County, my property was assessed at $133,300 and we paid $933.10 in property taxes. Last year, 2008, the very same property, with no improvements, was assessed at $482,700 and we paid $2,089 in property taxes. That is a 228 percent increase in taxes!
At the same time, our income has gone up but very slightly with the Social Security cost of living increases that they allow.

Tighten your belt, provide no salary increases, look at all programs to see where operations can be done with the same or less than last year.
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.

We absolutely cannot afford any tax increase during these trying times!

Fritz Brittain
Rochelle