Gary Johnston wrote in www.nrtoday.com "Property owners are in a no-win situation. We have no sales tax and do our share, but when does it end? When I filed for a hearing about high property taxes, the tax office asked me to drop it saying taxes go up each year due to a law on the books. I take it Measure 50. They said market values were only there as reference.

Raising market values is good for Douglas County. It’s not a benefit to me. How much my house goes up in value is only good if I sell. I’m a resident, not here to make a quick buck. Their market values are a joke. My actual market value this year went down $5,200, but my assessed value went up $6,510, so my taxes went up. They need modify tax bills. What an accounting nightmare: 3 percent discount with full payment, 2 percent with two-third payment, one-third with no discount.

Why not bill in July and give me a 10 percent discount? Or send one bill with half or full amount due in December and balance in March? This works in other states. If you only pay part, they send a reminder to pay. How much does that cost taxpayers?

Property Taxes should be based on what you paid for your house. Tax rates should be fair. When you sell your home, the sale price should become the new owner’s tax base value. Please stop playing games over market values and assessed values. House values have decreased in the last two years. Houses are not selling and the situation has gotten worse during the last six months, but my property taxes keep going up. I feel like I’m being pencil whipped by the county tax assessor.

We need change or bailout."

Growing property taxes hurt those struggling financially as well as seniors living on a fixed budget. Whatever happened to the savings promised by community? Economics of scale resulting in lowered fixed costs are the promise of Economics 101. Perhaps it’s the thoughtless tax and spend mentality coupled with cozy benefits and pay packages.

Funding the cost of early retirements, often 20-years with lavish pension benefits, crush the budget and result in ever increasing tax charges. Nowhere do we see property tax revolts. Those struggling have little time and resources to do battle.  Most simply sell their homes and leave area.