We are pleased to present a rebuttal of the points made by our “Tan flyer Friends”. We hope you will consider the following when you cast your vote on May 8:

While this may be legally correct, we feel a tax increase is still a tax increase. The nomenclature is irrelevant. By their own admission, there have been 7 levy requests over the past 8 years. Applying their logic, its “only 40.00” (based on a modest $160.000 home), every year for the 4 levies which have passed adds up to 160.00 per year in additional property taxes. Enough is enough!

We agree this is an appropriate and necessary expenditure, just as you do to maintain your home. Prudent financial planners and budget makers should be sure these expenses are covered with existing funds. We have already shown the money is available. Just like the technology levy, which was voted down two years ago, there is now a line item provided for these expenses in the 2006 budget for the amount of $9933.88. Due to time constraints, we are unable to post a copy now but we are pleased to email a copy upon request. This information is publicly from the district office. We do hope Kila receives some sort of compensation from Smith Valley for their services.

Congressman?? You mean State Senator John Brueggeman (Senate District 6) and Representative Janna Taylor (House District 11)? Verdell Jackson’s Senate district is now District 5, which does not include Kila. See http://nris.mt.gov/gis/legislat/2007.

Of course we would like you to consider the big picture, that’s what is important, isn’t it? We respectfully disagree with the “tan flyer friends” (the Kila PTO). The majority of information we provided on the “orange cards” and our website DOES apply to the issue. School funding is a serious concern. A review of publicly available information in the County Superintendent's office shows massive amounts of resources being spent to comply with Federal and State programs. Our professional educators are being underpaid in some districts. Some of the budget documents we have reviewed for the school districts are over 100 pages long! The school funding formulas that are used are overly complex and very difficult for the taxpayer to understand. The expenses required to administer these funds is diverting needed money from our classrooms!

OK, we agree!! Voluntary community participation is the answer! However for those of us who do not make a high enough income to itemize deductions, the fact that property tax is an income tax deduction does not apply or lessen the impact of this tax increase!

Please vote NO on the Mill Levies on Tuesday!!

Questions and comments welcomed at: info@itsmyproperty.org.

Thanks for listening!!