Scottville's Loss, Scottville's Gain

[XLFD]

A recent article in the Mason County Press without a by-line (written presumably by its editor in chief, Rob Alway) shows a typical media bias that happens quite often in the City of Ludington Daily News (COLDNews).  Alway's long-term employment by the COLDNews and/or his current membership on the Scottville Planning Commission may be responsible for this loss of perspective.  See whether you can spot it in the following article.  I have highlighted the relevant parts by boldface and italics type.

Personal property tax reductions mean loss for Scottville

January 5, 2013

SCOTTVILLE – Recent changes in personal property tax laws will mean an anticipated loss of $6,700 for Scottville, starting in 2014. Gov. Rick Snyder recently signed the Personal Property Tax Elimination bill which means businesses with a taxable value of less than $40,000 will be exempt from paying personal property taxes.

The bill also means personal property tax for manufacturing will be phased out beginning in 2016 and all personal property taxes will be eliminated by 2023.

“There are provisions in the law to reimburse local communities based on essential services like police, ambulance, fire,” City Manager Amy Williams stated in her notes pre-city commission meeting report. “However, there are still no hard facts around exactly what this means. There is a part of the legislation that states units whose exempt personal property taxable value is less than 2.5% will not be reimbursed. At this time if the calculations we have are correct our taxable value percentage is 1.63% meaning we would not be eligible for reimbursement on essential services.

“It is my understanding that the $6,700 loss starting in 2014 is not eligible for reimbursement anyway; it is the larger amounts starting in 2016 that would be eligible for reimbursement if you meet the criteria. For Scottville the larger phase out amount would be a loss of $25,665 over the period of time and we likely won’t be eligible for reimbursement unless changes are made to the law.”

The Michigan Municipal League is still working on the issue with the governor’s office, Williams said. “So there is still time for changes to be made, but we will need to wait and see.”

The Scottville city commission will hold its first meeting of 2013 on Monday, Jan. 7 at 5:30 p.m.

At that time, the commission is expected to appoint two new members of the planning commission. Jonathon Hill and Scott Gordon, both residents of Reinberg Avenue, have applied to be on the planning commission. If they are appointed by the city commission, the planning commission will still be one member short. The remaining vacancy can be filled by a non-resident. Anyone interested in the appointment should contact Williams at city hall: 231-757-4729, 105 N. Main St. or  [e-mail].

http://www.masoncountypress.com/2013/01/05/personal-property-tax-re...

I am half-suspicious that Rob has created one of the openings on the Planning Commission to devote more time to his journalistic and familial pursuits.  If he hasn't, he may just have to deal with me, as I have sent a letter of interest for that last spot on the commission.  But, did you happen to notice the problem with perspective/bias, that I alluded to earlier, that comes out in the article?

In the headline, tax reductions are called a 'loss' for Scottville, and it continues throughout the article as a $6700 loss for Scottville in 2014, and the larger $25,665 loss in 2016 and beyond.  But there is no money lost here, in fact it's in reality a net gain for Scottville.  That $6700 in 2014 comes from small businesses in Scottville, the $25,665 in 2016 comes from larger businesses in Scottville.  The money remains in Scottville with no loss or gain; however, instead of being in the City Hall Clerk/Treasurer's pocketbook, it is in the wallets of some of Scottville's business owners who qualify.  The money required to collect those taxes from those businesses will no longer apply, meaning a positive monetary result is achieved for Scottville!

Speaking of losses:  The City of Scottville, in the name of economic development, has no problem paying a Scottville Main Street Manager somewhere around $50,000 in wages and benefits each year and no problem paying Ludington's Community Development Director $15,000 a year to help in grant-writing procedures (which they have wisely decided not to renew for this year)-- but the City Government has a major problem when small businesses are granted a relatively small tax reduction (which should spur real economic development as that money is likely reinvested into their business and the local economy more effectively than bureaucrats begging for state-granted corporate welfare). 

 

This should be great news for Scottville citizens and businessmen, who are in the most taxed jurisdiction in the county, and should be reported that way, at least editorially. 

[AQUAMAN]

Sure about that, including bike, rv, motorcycles, unmarked cars, boat? You're invited to join the Babylon, LPD isn't about Scottville. Thanks.

[Sean]

I don't believe the city owns bikes, Motorcyles, RV or an unmarked car(s). 

[AQUAMAN]

This isn't the Ripley's Believe it or Not forum, Sean. Call LPD, & Investigate it. The boat is at the City Marina in the summer, same for the RV/ATV at the beach, HD motorcycles were donated for several seasons, Mercedes bike also was in use, may have also been donated per season/leased. I haven't even included how many Tahoes? Chevy's? Ford's? Anyone living in Ludville knows this, where you really from? And how old are ya? Babylon? lol

[XLFD]

Congratulation on your Flambeaux Award Aquaman, thanks for showing your classical form.  I haven't seen the motorcycles for a few years, but the Ludington guys do get the bicycle out for Gus Macker and maybe other special events.  But I'll save it for Babylon.

[Sean]

You are right, after thinking about it I have seen 6 or more on Patrol.  I believe it was over Gus Macker, (who pays the city to have extra) and 4th of July.  But that's a big deal I guess

[Shawn]

For the record, the MCP is infinitely better than this rag.

[XLFD]

That statement is mathematically questionable. 

Your statement is also comparing apples to oranges.  The Mason County Press is the county's number one news source, and they offer various features.  We deliver our share of news and features, but our main forte is analysis, commentary, investigative reporting, and we do strive to better the community.  It's like the difference between a straight news program and the O' Reilly Factor.

We try to offer a voice, news behind the news, and infotainment for the common man in this community, whether they be rich, middle class, or poor, regardless of your connections (though you do need an internet connection, LOL)