| In many areas of the country, when you get | | | | provide their funding. Everything from building |
| your bill for county property taxes, be prepared | | | | maintenance and staff salaries to purchasing new |
| for a shock. They are at an all time high across | | | | books is primarily funded through taxpayers.o |
| the country, though the overall amounts can vary | | | | Hospitals - In some parts of the country, local |
| greatly depending where you live. | | | | hospitals receive some funding from local |
| On top of all the other taxes that we pay, what | | | | taxpayers. These funds are usually provided to |
| are county property taxes used for? The | | | | ensure that hospitals in financial trouble don't have |
| individual tax rate varies from jurisdiction to | | | | to close. It is in the public's best interest to have a |
| jurisdiction. Also varying is as how the assessed | | | | hospital right in the community, so taxpayers |
| valuation of the property is calculated on which | | | | often bear some of the financial burden of |
| they base the property tax. Here are the most | | | | keeping the hospital afloat.o County Government - |
| popular uses for the high county property taxes | | | | And, of course, your county taxes fund your local |
| that you are paying (and just because they are | | | | county government to collect the taxes, provide |
| "popular" today might mean the politicians might | | | | the county court system, provide office space |
| uncover some other popular cause to fund).o | | | | and pay salaries. |
| Schools Systems - In many areas of the country, | | | | In some areas, a portion of your local city and |
| more than half of each dollar you pay in county | | | | county property taxes may also be given to the |
| property taxes is used to fund your local school | | | | state. In most cases, however, at least 90% of |
| district. In most states, the largest funding school | | | | the property taxes you pay stay right in your |
| districts receive is through local property taxes. | | | | local community. When states take part of the |
| These taxes help maintain school buildings and | | | | revenue, it is usually a relatively small amount. |
| buses, pay teacher and administrative salaries and | | | | It is said that people complain more about their |
| buy books.o Roads and Bridges- City and county | | | | property taxes than any other taxes they pay. |
| property taxes are used extensively to keep | | | | However, for the most part these taxes stay in |
| roads in good working order. They remove the | | | | the local communities. They fund the education of |
| snow in winter, cut grass in the right of way, | | | | the children and pay for police and fire protection. |
| clear out overhanging branches and trees and | | | | So, while it is your civic duty to keep watch on |
| make minor road and bridge repairs.o Police and | | | | how your tax dollars are spent and calculated and |
| Fire Services - In most cases, your local police | | | | to speak up about unnecessary spending, local |
| and sheriff's departments as well as your local fire | | | | property taxes compared to other taxes tend to |
| departments are funded by city and county | | | | stay in the local community and their benefits are |
| property taxes. Your taxes support the buildings, | | | | most visible. Further, it's not a big stretch to |
| vehicles and salaries of our policemen and | | | | demonstrate the direct benefit to the property |
| firefighters.o Public Libraries - Libraries are typically | | | | owner. |
| run by the county, so county property taxes | | | | |
