In June, we asked our readers about issues you wanted to hear the candidates running for Johnson County Board of County Commissioners address in the lead up to the Aug. 2 primary.

Based on your feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire touching on the most important issues to the citizens of Johnson County.

Each day this week, we will publish the candidates’ responses to one of five questions. Today we are publishing District 5 candidates’ responses to our first question:

Sharply increasing property values and associated taxes are a major concern for many of our readers. One sent us the following: “My biggest concern is how the ever increasing value of my home has caused my property taxes to go up so much. I have a small house in Prairie Village. We are retired and our property taxes have more than doubled in five years. This is a big financial burden for us… It’s great that my home value has increased, but I would like the candidates to discuss what they would do to help with property tax relief for existing homeowners. Or perhaps some relief for elderly or lower income residents.” How would you respond to this reader?

Below are the answers the Post received from the candidates on this issue:

Michael Ashcraft (incumbent)

Increasing the value of your home is a good thing. Unfortunately, we do not have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem. Most local governments adhere to a revenue-based budget philosophy. Very dollar collected is spent. Elected officials must break that cycle. We must resist those so called “good” ideas advanced by too many special interest groups in our community. Until we do that, everyone who lives on a fixed income will feel the pressure to ever-increasing taxes. I have always demanded that programs proposed to the Board of County Commissioners demonstrate a clear, verifiable return on investment. If they don’t, I vote “No.”

Stephanie Suzanne Berland

Property tax relief should come from reducing County expenditures, which is much-needed for seniors and working taxpayers as well.  County spending is out of control and is unsustainable.  The county budget has increased nearly 58% from 2010 to 2022, and this percentage takes into account inflation during that time. Are County services 58% ‘better’ across the board? Where is all of that additional money going?

County Management and the Board of County Commissioners attempts to distract the public by highlighting a mill deduction as a tax reduction when in fact, it is a tax increase. Additionally, the County attempts to pit taxpayer against taxpayer by using terms like ‘paying their fair share’ when it comes to commercial big box stores and the legal battle often described as the ‘dark store’ argument. Incredulously, the County has failed to produce a ‘back up plan’ to their spending budget should they lose this legal battle and the additional tax revenue. This seems to imply that the budget will not change and they will find other ways to extract money from county citizens. The dark store case is back in front of the Board of Tax Appeals, and we as citizens need to understand not only what we are paying in legal fees with respect to this particular matter, but also what’s the contingency plan should the County lose the lawsuit.  Where do they plan to raise government revenue to make up for the lost tax dollars?

As a CPA, I understand fully the implications and will “demand better” (i.e. tighter) budgeting and oversight.  I will vote to appoint a county manager that will make cuts and look for more.  I will emphasize a budget that can weather good times and bad times.

I agree with providing property tax relief to seniors who are on a fixed- income.  However, I find it misleading for government to create the problem in the first place, and then act as benefactor to implement programs to fix it.

I believe property tax relief should be awarded to all citizens, regardless of income.  Citizens at all income levels are getting financially stretched thin. This is why my solution is reduction of County expenses. This is the best alternative for all Johnson County taxpayers.

Scott Callaway

Sharply increasing property values and associated taxes are a major concern for many of our readers. One sent us the following: “My biggest concern is how the ever increasing value of my home has caused my property taxes to go up so much. I have a small house in Prairie Village. We are retired and our property taxes have more than doubled in five years. This is a big financial burden for us… It’s great that my home value has increased, but I would like the candidates to discuss what they would do to help with property tax relief for existing homeowners. Or perhaps some relief for elderly or lower income residents.” How would you respond to this reader?

Relief is coming. Governor Kelly recently signed a bi-partisan common sense Property Tax Bill that will make residential property taxes exempt for up to the first 40-thousand dollars of assessed value. The best move residents can make is to communicate their concerns with their elected officials to ensure they understand property taxes are too high and give them an opportunity to work to reduce taxes.