Grafton Township Taxes

Following is an explanation regarding Grafton Township taxes as provided by Township Supervisor Linda Moore.

"At the January meeting of the Grafton Township Board, Supervisor Linda Moore proposed keeping taxes constant, but Trustees LaPorta, Murphy and Zirk did not second the motion to discuss the Resolution to authorize the Supervisor to amend the Levy to last year’s extension. Trustee Zirk however launched into discussion alluding to a risk that would be great if the township were not to collect the maximum tax dollars possible.

"When asked to identify the risk, none could be explained.

"In order for a local government to collect about the same as last year, its levy must be pretty close to the amount collected last year. That figure is called the “extension.”

"Because there is some growth, a tax district could actually raise its levy a (the county assessor says about one-quarter of one percent for the county as a whole) tiny bit without raising bills on last year’s taxpayers.

"Last year the extension for the combination of the Grafton Town Fund and the General Assistance Fund was $1,070,637.00.

"The levy passed in December 2012 for this coming year was $1,102,142.00.

"Because nothing was done, Grafton Township taxpayers will have to come up with an extra $31,505.00 in taxes.

"As I understand the process, there is a short window of opportunity after the County Clerk’s Office decides what the tax rate will be and how much taxes will be extracted from taxpayers’ pockets. In that perhaps less than a week’s time frame, a district may make a last minute change.

"The maximum that a tax district can increase its tax bill this year under the tax cap is 3%. By making the levy 4% higher than last year's tax collections, the township trustees have decided to extract as much property taxes out of your pocket as is allowed by law.

"For the last three years, I have voted to keep next year's real estate tax collections equal to the year before.”  said Supervisor Moore.

"Supervisor Linda Moore posted a separate agenda.  This agenda gave Trustees Zirk, LaPorta, McMahon and Murphy another opportunity to adopt last year’s taxes to match the amount received last year.

"Grafton Township taxpayers could actually have seen a small tax cut if Trustee Zirk would have favored this resolution. Zirk is the only trustee who is running for re-election.

"Supervisor Linda Moore is on the ballot for the February 26th Republican Primary facing two opponents.  She would like the opportunity to work with a fresh board and reduce your taxes.  Please visit http://www.electlindamoore.com."