by RONDA WERTMAN
Tribune Correspondent
RIDGELEY — The fact that Ridgeley’s streets need attention is something everyone can agree on. It’s how to fund the street repairs that is drawing fire as the Ridgeley Council prepares to implement a street levy.
In holding the first reading of the proposed street ordinance, the council affirmed its plans for the additional levy, which includes 12.50 cents per $100 assessed value on Class II residential property and 25 cents per $100 on Class IV commercial properties.
With the current tax structure, the town receives 25 percent of the 1.44 percent tax collected by Mineral County. The remaining tax
funds are distributed among the county, Board of Education and fire departments.
By implementing the excess levy, the town could garner an extra $20,000 per year to provide for street paving and repairs netting $100,000 over the five year period.
What the levy will mean for residents is an increase of approximately $25 to $30 per year, while commercial property which is twice the rate of Class II residential property will see an increase of approximately $175 per year.
It was the commercial rate that raised questions as owners of rental properties and businesses expressed concern over a more equitable way of raising the needed funds.
Commercial tax payers questioned why all residents do not pay the same amount asking the council to consider if some residents use the roads more than others.
The council suggested the rental owners could factor the increase into their rental fees, but the owners stating tight competition said that additional amount could mean tenants going elsewhere.
The commissioners explained that the fact that Class IV property is charged at double Class II is set by the state and cannot be changed at the local level.
The council will hold the second reading of the levy ordinance at a public meeting set for 6:30 p.m., Oct. 12. The meeting will be held at the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Company Community Building.
Following the completion of the third reading of the ordinance, the issue will be placed on the ballot for the June 2011 municipal election.
In order to be implemented, the issue must pass by 60 percent. Commissioners noted that if the levy does pass, the town will have to continue “patching the patches.”
If passed the levy will take effect for the 2011-2012 tax year and residents would make their first payments beginning the summer of 2012.
