Sep 7, 2013 1 min read

The legal maneuvering and appeals are finished. The contract to reassess property in Washington County has been signed. The school boards of Washington and McGuffey school districts feel that they won this battle. In reality, taxpayers are the losers.

In a couple of years, the new property tax bills will be sent out, even in school districts that did not push for reassessment. The school districts that did not fight for reassessment will reap an increase in revenue from property taxes. Even if these districts do not need additional funds, they will get them. It can only be hoped that these districts lower their millage rate to soften the tax burden on their residents.

In the Washington and McGuffey school districts, taxpayers will be paying higher property taxes as well as paying for the legal costs associated with the lengthy lawsuit against Washington County commissioners.

My children are grown up and are not attending any schools. By paying my property taxes, I am hoping that the school system will provide my grandchildren with a good education. I only wonder what price that education will cost.

John N. King

Washington