To the Mineral County Board of Education:

Once again the WV Bond Levy is up for vote. This is even worst timing. Why are they wasting money that could be used for the school needs on something that is not going to pass and what part of NO do you not understand? Their facts and figures are STILL totally unrealistic. They used the house price of $55,000. Has anyone there looked at the housing prices lately? If you can find a house for that price you wouldn't want to live in it.
I will use the low average of a house priced at $125,000 and the School Bond Issue Information Brochure available at the Keyser courthouse, wasn't sent to the
residents. Will also use the upcoming increase of  property taxes that will be 10% or MORE. Using their .36 a day starts us at $131.40. Add to that $89.54 for the increase in county tax. And remember that amount could be higher than 10%. We also have to add in the personal property tax, that will increase too. I used the low $15,000. I say low because this tax covers cars, trucks, boats, 4-wheelers, lawn and farm equipment, etc. This would be $20.76. We are now at a total of $241.70 and an increase of 22% in taxes for the year. You could use your own totals and property values to come to a total that applies to you and not an example like the Times-News or mine. My own tax is higher than this example. Any way you look at it they are a lot higher than the totals the Times-News came up with of $45.68 and $18.00 for seniors. In that context it sounds more than reasonable if you like fuzzy math! But taxes have to be looked at in the total for the year.
Renters will also be affected. The property tax goes up, the owner has to cover it from somewhere. Plus the increase in personal property affects everyone.
Let me also be clear about the schools, education and teacher salary. I agree that an investment in our children and education is needed and teachers long over looked.
The 80% of the county tax plus another 80% of the new increase in property and personal tax goes to the schools, so you will be getting more money. Perhaps the school board could spent the funds more wisely. In today's world of rising prices we must all live on a budget that is getting smaller. Food and fuel prices are going up almost daily with no end in sight. Now is not the time for ANY NEW tax.
You can make your decision based on realistic figures and not just what sounds good.

Sincerely,
Ed Carder
Keyser