Teri Meider, board vice president and head cheerleader, loves to fight for tax increases for the local school district. Why not, she only pays half the taxes her neighbors pay.
Did you get that? Half.
According to the county auditor's website, Meider bought her house in April, 2008, for $318,500. Yet -- now get this -- the auditor appraised the house at $185,800. Amazing!
Those readers who know just a bit about property taxation will say, "Sure, but when was the house built? Maybe the auditor appraised a partially finished house." Not true in this instance. The property was completed in 2007, so it was a finished house as of the 2008 tax lien date (January 1, 2008).
The question is this: Will Meider ask the auditor to value her house at its market value -- the arm's length transaction? Or, will Meider cut an extra check to the school district?
Anyone want to bet that Meider says and does nothing? Taxes are for us little folk, not the seemingly powerful.
note to Meider: Since I do not like paying your school tax either, can you send me the contact info for your "in" at the auditor's office. Maybe I can get my taxes cut in half too.