Residents urge Indian Trail to go "revenue neutral" after county reassessment

Several residents urged the Indian Trail Town Council on March 11 to reduce the town's property tax rate so taxpayers would pay roughly the same dollar amount after the county's recent property reassessment.

The appeals came during the public-comment portion of the council's Tuesday town hall meeting, with residents saying rising market values will translate into higher bills unless the town lowers its rate.

"I'm asking the town of Indian Trail to do the same because our expenses I'm almost 70 years old. My wife and I are seniors, and we have a house...we do not need any more tax taken out on property tax," resident John Earley told the council. "Please go revenue neutral. I'll just, please do. Thank you."

Another resident, Dan Schellenkamp, said assessed values in the Indian Trail area had risen steeply and asked the town to go beyond revenue neutral. "The market value being up is absolutely worthless to me unless I sell my house," Schellenkamp said, adding that prior council and county actions had increased tax burdens.

Why it matters: A county reassessment changes taxable values used to compute property tax bills. If a town does not adjust its rate, homeowners can see higher bills even if the town receives the same total tax dollars. Council members repeatedly said they are reviewing the numbers and following the county's next steps before deciding on the town rate.

Council response and context: Council members and staff explained that the county performed the reassessment and that the town must factor in sales-tax revenue and other revenues when calculating a "revenue neutral" rate for the town. Council members asked residents to follow the town budget-workshop process for details.

The council did not vote on a tax-rate change at the March 11 meeting. Several council members urged residents to contact town staff for details, and staff noted state and county programs that may help some seniors and disabled residents with property-tax relief or payment plans.

Several speakers emphasized the timing and scale of any action. Council members said they do not yet have final figures and therefore cannot commit to a rate change. "We don't know what we're gonna do yet," one council speaker said during responses, adding that staff will present operational needs and revenue projections during the town's budget process.

What residents asked for: Speakers asked the council to cut budgeted expenditures where possible, to avoid large capital spending that could increase long-term costs, and to consider reducing the tax rate to offset higher assessed values. The crowd included multiple residents who said reassessment increases were large enough to affect seniors on fixed incomes.

Next steps: Council members urged residents to monitor the town's budget workshops and to contact Town Hall for specific questions. Staff said county tax administrators and the town's finance staff can advise on exemptions, deferrals, or appeals for people who qualify.