close

LETTER: Don’t change LSA program

2 min read
article image -

Don’t change LSA program

Regarding the proposal to eliminate the Washington County Local Share Account Grant Funding and use those funds for school district tax relief: The Washington County Association of Township Officials has thoughtfully reviewed the proposal and determined that such a change would have a negative impact on the county’s economic development and our member municipalities.

The current LSA program is set up as a competitive process with published criteria that is publicly available to applicants to understand the goals of the funding against which applications will be reviewed. Since its inception, over $32 million, or an average of nearly $3 million a year of LSA funds, have been invested in economic development initiatives, water and sewer infrastructure extension projects, which effectively serves as economic development catalysts, to create long-term economic growth and permanent tax base increases for municipalities and school districts alike. By growing our economy and growing our tax base through the current grant program we are generating long-range economic growth, which results in tax base growth to more reliably support school districts for years beyond annual tax subsidies. Investment in our infrastructure and economic future is far more prudent than using these funds to help cover operating expenses.

Something else to think about is any tax relief from school taxes that is proposed would inevitably and likely be offset by tax increases that municipalities would have to levy to pay for projects, which are currently funded through LSA grants, such as water and sewer projects. Therefore, there would be no effective tax relief to taxpayers in the end.

As municipal officials we certainly understand and appreciate the desire to reduce the burden from school taxes, which is the largest portion of the tax obligations for our county taxpayers. We just do not feel that it should be done by sacrificing a successful program that has helped tremendously to ensure the economic future of the county in a reasonable, responsible manner.

A. William Kiehl

President, Washington County Association of Township Officials

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $3.75/week.

Subscribe Today