An inconvenient truth regarding mochas

In regards to the upcoming school tax levy and the extra mocha a month ($3.68) to ensure that the students receive a quality education.

The current levy rate of $14.99 on a property value of $200,000 exists because each homeowner is allowed an exemption of $83,974. So this levy rate is calculated on only $116,026 of assessed value. Each subsequent $200,000 of assessed value is $25.85 a month in addition to the $14.99. A homeowner with a $500,000 property currently pays $775.35 to LPOSD (210 mochas), in 2015, $1,023.04 (278 mochas).

A business property doesn’t receive a homeowner’s exemption so an $800,000 property currently pays $1,191.09 (324 mochas). That’s a 25-percent increase in mochas in two years. Is this increasing number of mochas sustainable? So vote your conscience — just be aware of how much that extra mocha a month really costs.

JEFF JOHNSON

Sandpoint