If you live in Richland County your property was reassessed last year and this year your property taxes increased in part because the Lexington Richland Five School Board did not lower or rollback your millage rate for the increase in assessed value.
If you live in Lexington County you are currently receiving reassessment notices. Your school property taxes could go up by the same percentage as the increase in your assessed value.
Who pays school property taxes?
Everyone.
If you own a home a portion of your property taxes go to schools. If you live in a rental home the majority of the landlord’s property taxes are for schools (so they may raise rent accordingly). The majority of the property taxes on your car is school tax. And if you own a business the majority of your property taxes are for schools.
No one wants to see their property taxes increase. However, schools are the lifeblood of our community and sometimes a tax increase may be needed. But before that happens, your school board needs to do what you do when your budget is pinched – look for ways to save money and focus on what matters most.
Whether you have children in public school or not. your tax dollars ARE in public schools. Your property values are affected by the quality of our schools and we should all care about the future of all children.
As Trustees, we are fighting to ensure our district’s budget – and the tax rate to support it – is focused on the classroom and what will continue to make D5 the best district in our state.
We invite you to contact us to share your thoughts. Most importantly, we invite you to attend the board meetings that will be held at 7pm 6/9 and 6/23 at the District Office (1020 Dutch Fork Rd, Irmo) to approve the 25-26 budget and the property tax mileage rate.
Trustee Jason Baynham (Richland County): [email protected]
Trustee Catherine Huddle (Lexington County): [email protected]
