CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners on Tuesday voted to halt their exploration of a proposed increase to the county’s pre-determined tax ratio.
On Dec. 21, the commissioners authorized Solicitor Heather Bozovich to initiate the process to potentially increase the county’s pre-determined tax ratio.
The pre-determined ratio means the ratio of assessed value to market value established and uniformly applied in determining assessed value in any year.
The county’s ratio has been set at 25 percent since 1989, but under state law, it can be set up to 100 percent, which Bozovich had recommended to the commissioners.
Under her proposal, county taxing entities would’ve also reduced their millage rates, which in turn would’ve created a “net-zero” effect and not result in any type of tax increase.
But because the county, municipalities and school districts have reached or are approaching their millage limits, the higher ratio would’ve given them room to raise taxes.
“It caused such a stir in late December into January,” Commissioner Chairman John A. Sobel said. “Feedback, from my experience, has been almost exclusively negative.
“Folks seem to be very stressed out with the high rate of inflation and all the supply chain issues we run into at the grocery, auto parts stores, etc.
“It was very well-intended; however, no matter what you say the reaction of citizens, the taxpayers, is ‘we will be raising taxes, or opening the door for other municipal entities to raise taxes.’”
Sobel concluded by saying it “wasn’t the right time” to proceed with any change to the county’s predetermined ratio that would potentially allow for a higher tax burden.
“Quite frankly, I think we scrap the idea,” he said. “… It would be a show of good faith that we do [understand] the circumstances they find themselves in.
“Government finds itself in the same position. We don’t want to impose an additional burden of a tax increase, or even the thought in the minds of folks that this would lead to a tax increase.”
Commissioner Dave Glass indicated he understood but did note that “sooner or later,” the county will have to revisit this discussion. “It may be a year, it may be two or it may be further out.
“But postpone is probably the right vernacular to use here, and given that we certainly don’t have any pressing need, we can put it off – for now.”
The county is currently at its millage limit of 25, meaning any tax increase would require court approval, but the commissioners don’t foresee a need to raise taxes in the immediate future.