Property tax break for counties advances in Pierre

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The House Taxation Committee today sent to the floor a bill lifting the property tax freeze for local governments.

Administrator Ken McFarland told legislators this morning that Sioux Falls is outgrowing the County’s revenues.  He says every time Sioux Falls adds an officer to the beat the County's costs increase without a responding level of revenue

A Department of Revenue spokesman says the freeze gives taxpayers a break.  He told legislators that a series of measures in Pierre, and on the ballot, failed to stem the property tax increases that could be as high as 6% a year.  It wasn't until Governor Bill Janklow introduced the current property tax freeze in 1995 that residents found relief

McFarland says 53% of Minnehaha County’s budget goes to law enforcement.