If you're a homeowner, you recently relieved property tax notifications. Most of us tend to grumble about them. Taxes are painful. For some, the taxes are a real struggle. It's taken me many years to get it planned right so it would be less painful. And it's taken me years to see it differently.
This year, as I stared at those papers sitting on the desk, images came to mind. They were much clearer as I focused on the city taxes. I thought of every time the streets were plowed. The city worker who hand delivered the water issue notification came to mind. I saw the friendly faces at Town Hall, our city manager, our mayor, our council, our police, our fire fighters, our events planner, our code enforcer. On some very cold winter days, there were city crews working on some trouble areas on the streets or in the water lines.
How many times can I count hearing sirens of first responders? When did those Christmas decorations magically appear? How did the leaves disappear? When did they sweep away the remnants of winter street treatment?
If my tax dollars were divided among all the services and employees serving this city, how does it get applied? As I consider the many services provided in this beautiful town, I'm supporting a great team of dedicated servants. I'm getting a great return on investment. Looking at it this way made writing the check easier. (That, plus super help from my financial institution, Franklin Oil Region Credit Union, to plan better for it.)
Our taxes really are an investment. When we can measure a great return on investment, it's less painful. In my humble opinion, Franklin, PA, is getting it right!
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