Dear Board of Commissioners,

I am writing today to ask you to consider a moratorium on new home construction permits and water hook-ups in Douglas County and to find ways to cut the county’s budget for 2008.

With the collapse of the housing market our county now sits on a glut of new and existing homes. Home values appear to be dropping. Many are finding it takes not months but years to sell their investments. Home owners, who refinance, are finding their property values have decreased.

The question is, at what point does the down turn affect property tax revenues and the budget of the county?

In 2008, when homeowners get their property tax assessments, many will find their assessments have increased or remained unchanged while real values have diminished.

This will certainly provoke a mass appeal of property value assessments.

Therefore, based on the current situation, I respectfully request that, as the governing authority of Douglas County, you take the following actions:

• Declare a temporary moratorium on new home construction permits (one year)
• Restrictions on new water hook-up permits.
• Require department heads to cut the 2008 budget by a minimum of 5 percent
• Pledge a “no tax increase” in 2008

I believe, with strong leadership, we can find ways to cut our budget, protect property values and ensure our drinking water doesn’t run dry.

Sincerely,

James Bell

Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition

404-452-4668