<HTML><BODY style="word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-line-break: after-white-space; ">One thing that may be on interest is how college park handles assessments. They have a cap for homeowners much like Prince George's County. I forget the figure, but someone could call CP. Rental properties are assessed at 10%. CP instituted this policy to discourage rentals and encourage homeownership. I'm not necessarily advocating this for RP, but it may be interesting to look at other municipalities.<DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>Also, did anyone see the article on Mt. Rainier in the Gazette. The city is instituting a way to give seniors and those with less income a rebate. Not a lot, but something.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>Dannielle</DIV><DIV><BR><DIV> <SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: auto; -khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-indent: 0px; -apple-text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; orphans: 2; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; "><DIV>Dannielle Glaros</DIV><DIV><A href="mailto:dmglaros@gmail.com">dmglaros@gmail.com</A></DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline"></SPAN> </DIV><BR><DIV><DIV>On May 21, 2007, at 11:12 AM, Dwight Holmes wrote:</DIV><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline"><BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Personally, I am by no means tired of this discussion -- what could be more useful and important than dialogue about our town property taxes and what we get for them -- now, and in the future. Like some have already said, I think it's too bad the discussion couldn't have started somewhat sooner -- it does feel a bit rushed, for something as momentous as this is. But it is good to know that there are at least a few meetings to go before things are finalized. <BR><BR>One thing I am hoping for at tonight's meeting is a succinct explanation of the relationship of town property taxes to state property taxes - how each is decided and what each is used for.<BR><BR>Another thing I'm hoping for is a good turnout. While it's somewhat understandable that people may be a bit cynical about their ability to genuinely influence events on the national scene, the nature of town politics is so entirely different. When ward elections can be won with as few a few dozen votes, and your representative lives no further than a few blocks away, how unfathomable and dismaying is it that (reportedly) zero people turned up at last year's budget meeting? <BR><BR>Dwight (one of the '30-or-so' new homeowners)<BR><BR><BR><BR><DIV><SPAN class="gmail_quote">On 5/21/07, <B class="gmail_sendername">Vernon Archer</B> <<A href="mailto:varcher@gmail.com">varcher@gmail.com </A>> wrote:</SPAN><BLOCKQUOTE class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"><DIV>Dear residents,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>There has been enough electrons sent over the upcoming budget that I'm guessing many of you are already tired of it--even thought it really has yet to start. I would like to make several quick points to try to clarify the situation. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>1. Tonight begins the budget and taxation process, it doesn't end it. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>2. Come to the hearing and get a detailed overview of the whole budget situation. You will also be able to make comments and ask questions. It begins at 7:30.<BR> </DIV> <DIV>3. Last year the tax rate was voted on at the SIXTH public meeting. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Given the situation this year of a new council and several challenges that we didn't face last year, I'm just hoping we can get that far in a mere six meetings. There is pressure to get the rate set and to the County by June 8, but THAT IS NOT A REQUIREMENT. It is much more important that the process be done correctly, not quickly. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>4. The Proposed Budget sent to the Council, along with the Town's reserve funds represent the parameters within which the Council creates a final budget. Over the next 3 to 5 weeks the council will need to decide how much to spend, tap reserves, and tax. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I have every confidence that the Budget that the Council passes into law will be one that improves our town, is not overly burdensome on tax payers, and adequately compensates town staff. It will be much easier on all of us to reach that goal if we calmly go through what is admittedly a lengthy and tedious process. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Best wishes.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Vern</DIV><SPAN class="sg"> <DIV><BR>-- <BR>Vernon Archer, Mayor<BR>Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland </DIV> </SPAN><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>TownTalk mailing list<BR>To post to the list, send mail to <A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="mailto:TownTalk@riverdale-park.org"> TownTalk@riverdale-park.org</A><BR><A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="mailto:TownTalk-request@riverdale-park.org">TownTalk-request@riverdale-park.org</A> is for automated subscription processing only <BR><A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk" target="_blank">http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk</A><BR><BR>For more information about Riverdale Park, visit <A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.ci.riverdale-park.md.us" target="_blank">http://www.ci.riverdale-park.md.us</A><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR><BR clear="all"><BR>-- <BR>~~<BR>Map of Riverdale Park MD Trolley Hiker-Biker Trail and Cafritz Property <BR><A href="http://tinyurl.com/2wsfql">http://tinyurl.com/2wsfql</A><BR>~~<BR>Tracking the Washington Nationals' 2007 season (will they catch the '62 Mets?):<BR><A href="http://tinyurl.com/2m6f43">http://tinyurl.com/2m6f43 </A><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">_______________________________________________</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">TownTalk mailing list</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">To post to the list, send mail to <A href="mailto:TownTalk@riverdale-park.org">TownTalk@riverdale-park.org</A></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><A href="mailto:TownTalk-request@riverdale-park.org">TownTalk-request@riverdale-park.org</A> is for automated subscription processing only</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><A href="http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk">http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk</A></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">For more information about Riverdale Park, visit <A href="http://www.ci.riverdale-park.md.us">http://www.ci.riverdale-park.md.us</A></DIV> </BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR></DIV></BODY></HTML>