The following letter was published in a recent issue of the Gazette.
To the editor,
It is my hope that it is common knowledge that the residents of Westchester County pay the highest taxes in the United States of America.
A review of tax rates per thousand dollars of assessed property valuation is fascinating. For instance Scarsdale‘s tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value is $4.51 while Croton-on-Hudson’s tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value is $258.40.
“It is our hope that the assessed value of our home relative to others in the village is proportionately correct, but we understand that it not representative of the market value of any of our houses. The relevant question to be asked is how do property taxes paid relate to the market value of our homes relative to other towns and villages in Westchester County. When you do that analysis, of property taxes to home values in Westchester, Croton can proudly proclaim that we pay the highest taxes in Westchester county and therefore the highest taxes in the nation.”
It is our hope that the assessed value of our home relative to others in the village is proportionately correct, but we understand that it not representative of the market value of any of our houses. The relevant question to be asked is how do property taxes paid relate to the market value of our homes relative to other towns and villages in Westchester County. When you do that analysis, of property taxes to home values in Westchester, Croton can proudly proclaim that we pay the highest taxes in Westchester county and therefore the highest taxes in the nation.
I find it comforting when I read the local paper and visit the blogs that the money we pay for village government is being so well-managed. I promise not to get upset about the $40 million dollars in debt the village is approaching because it doesn’t have enough money to pay as we go.
John Mckeon