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Jackson voters will have voices heard on open space tax increase

JACKSON – Township Council members have voted to place a public question on the Nov. 3 ballot that will let Jackson residents have a say about a proposed increase in the local open space tax rate.

During a meeting on July 28, council President Alexander Sauickie, Vice President Andrew Kern, Councilman Ken Bressi, Councilman Martin Flemming and Councilman Stephen Chisholm voted “yes” on a motion to place the question on the Election Day ballot.

The explanatory statement will read: “In 2001, the voters of Jackson authorized the establishment of the township’s Open Space Trust Fund and the imposition of an open space tax equal to 1.5 cents per $100 of equalized valuation.

“In 2004, the voters of Jackson authorized the increase of the open space tax to 3 cents per $100 of equalized valuation.

“The (open space) tax is currently collected at the rate of 2 cents per $100 of equalized valuation and a ‘yes’ vote on this question would reconfirm the wishes of the township’s voters to provide for an open space tax at the rate of 3 cents per $100 of equalized valuation while permitting these funds to be used for the acquisition, development, maintenance, preservation and payment of debt service for conservation, recreation, farmland and historic properties and structures. The increase would fund additional acquisitions and improvements of open space by the township.”

With an open space tax rate of 2 cents per $100 in place, the owner of a home that is assessed at $250,000 currently pays $50 per year in an open space tax. The owner of a home assessed at $350,000 pays $70 per year. The owner of a home assessed at $450,000 pays $90 per year.

If the open space tax rate is increased to 3 cents per $100, the owner of a home that is assessed at $250,000 would pay $75 per year in an open space tax. The owner of a home assessed at $350,000 would pay $105 per year. The owner of a home assessed at $450,000 would pay $135 per year.

Kern told the Tri-Town News the council members are working to purchase open space parcels with money that is currently in the Open Space Trust Fund. Following those acquisitions, he said, “there won’t be any money left in that account.”

“Open space is very important to us, making sure we protect against over-development. Jackson is an enormous town (100 square miles) and developers are looking at the available space … to see how they can turn a profit (in ways) that would severely impact the people who live here now,” Kern said.

Kern said the additional revenue that would be collected by raising the open space tax rate would provide municipal officials with more flexibility to purchase open space throughout Jackson.

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