Hold the Line on Property Taxes

During the campaign I have been to thousands of houses covering every neighborhood and school district in town and the response has been great.  One of the issues frequently discussed is the need to keep West Hartford affordable today and for the future. When asked what concerns residents have, the answer is usually “increasing property taxes.”

In 2000-2001, property tax revenue collected from town residents was approximately $120.4 million. By 2006-2007, property tax revenue increased over $48 million for a total of $168.7 million. During the great recession over the last 5 years, property tax revenue has increased over $41 million for a current total of over $210 million per year. This level of increases is unsustainable, particularly when many people are trying to do more with less. This is our challenge. We must hold the line on property taxes.