Sweden taxpayers will receive their 2021 town and county tax bill around the first of the year. The vast majority of Sweden taxpayers will notice a decrease in the town portion of the tax bill. The notable exceptions are taxpayers in the new Lake/Redman/Countryview Terrace water district. In addition, properties that had a physical change, such as the construction of a shed, deck, pool, barn, or house addition, may see an increase.
Earlier in 2020, the Sweden Assessor did a major assessment update that raised most residential assessments significantly – by a total of more than 50 million dollars. Many of our residents were concerned that this would translate into a large increase in town taxes. We assured residents in the spring that was not our intention. In fact, we have lowered the regular tax levy by $173,633, and despite the new water district tax for some residents, the overall tax levy (including all special districts) decreases by $80,059.
Many times politicians will boast about lowering a tax rate all the while collecting more in taxes because assessments were raised. That is not the case in the Town of Sweden. We are collecting less taxes, about three percent less in 2021 than we did in 2020. However, because the town tax bill is combined with the county tax bill, unless you read it carefully, it might not be apparent that your Town of Sweden tax bill decreased. We do not yet know the impact of the county budget, specifically on Sweden property taxpayers.
Your Sweden Town Board was determined that the assessment increases most of us received would not translate into a tax boon for the town. We were also determined that your town taxes would not add to the financial woes many of us have faced during the pandemic. By lowering the taxes the town is actually collecting in 2021, we have met those goals.
If you have any questions about the town portion of your 2021 town and county tax bill, please contact any of us by email or phone. You may also contact our Finance Director at 637-7588.
We look forward to a brighter year in 2021.
Supervisor Kevin G. Johnson
Deputy Supervisor Robert Muesebeck
Councilperson Patricia Hayles
Councilperson Randall Hoke
Councilperson Rhonda Humby
