Kit Brenan, Hillsboro

Property taxes have done nothing but rise for almost 100% of residents in ND. If you rent and think you don’t pay property tax or specials, this is the main reason for yearly rent increases. Those costs are passed down. Yes, we’ve had state credits, buydowns, and applied for our $500 “gift” only to have to still pay MORE each year out of pocket.

As with many school boards, Hillsboro’s Board wants us to bail them out of financial difficulty by asking for a 12 mill increase vote.

Newsflash! There are a lot of people who are currently in “financial difficulty,”whether via mismanagement, a financial emergency, or retirement.

However, we don’t have the ability to spread our pain throughout the community and call it “community betterment.”

While I appreciate the Board has already made cuts, they are capable of making more. It is what we are expected to do when faced with a similar situation and it is indeed painful, but necessary to return to a balanced budget.

A single mother in Horace was just informed her monthly mortgage payment would increase by $1,400 PER MONTH, due to specials. She can’t sell because someone looking for property can buy without those special costs just 2 blocks away from her location. What will she do? Her options are limited.

Small towns claim they want people to move there.

HINT: This is not how you accomplish this mission.

People moving to small towns most likely will pay more to commute to work, have less access to entertainment venues, convenience, and other “city” amenities. Small towns are a trade-off for smaller schools, less crime, a more laid-back lifestyle and (supposedly) cheaper housing and living.

Why are small towns dying?

Because if you are going to pay through the nose to live, why wouldn’t you just stay in the city?

“You will own nothing, and you will be happy” seems on the way to being literal in ND.

Well done.