A new committee is working to lower property taxes

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - You can guarantee two things in life, death and taxes. A new committee met earlier this week to discuss the rise in property taxes.

Last year South Dakotans paid more than $1.6 billion in property taxes. Of that 50% went to schools, 27% to counties, and 13% to the cities.

11 Senators and Representatives make up the interim committee that is working on finding a solution to the high property tax issue.

District 31 Representative Mary J. Fitzgerald said she believes property taxes impact everyone.

“I think those increase in property taxes impact everyone whether you’re a homeowner or renter. I think that it’s very very important that we try to do something to reduce that burden for the people of South Dakota,” Fitzgerald says.

Fitzgerald added many families and low-income households are especially impacted by the increased property taxes. She went on to say the committee is taking the concerns seriously.

“I think it’s one of the most important things we have to tackle on this coming session that will start in January. So, hopefully, we will come up with some solutions and write some bills and have those bills ready to present in January.”

The exact date of the next committee meeting has not been decided, but the meeting will be open to the public for comment.

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