On Mon, 08 Sep 2003 11:42:51 GMT, "John Gaquin"
wrote:


"bb" wrote in message

Is it really fair that the person who buys the house next door to me
pays 300% of the taxes I pay, and receives the same services for it?

How is this happening? Does your area not assess at market?

No. The appraisal seems to typically be about 80% of market value.
After the firs year of ownership the assessed value is capped and can
only raise a little each year, about 3%. It's assured that no matter
what happens to the value, my taxes will increase by a steady
percentage every year. It's a different story for the guy next door
who just bought his house. His assessed value will be capped next
year, but at about three times my value.

bb