South Dakota Farmers Union members want the state to repeal the Property Tax freeze or opt out. President Doug Sombke says at last week’s convention they approved an amendment to their policy calling for elimination of that because it hinders the ability of local governments to gather funds.
Sombke says opt outs are also keeping local governments from being able to meet road and infrastructure needs. He says they’re also costly and don’t provide any certainty.
He says it’s also basically an issue of local control.
Sombke says he’s talked to some legislators who see it as an interesting idea.. He says they’ll take a look at getting some legislation passed next session to address this problem.