How can officials justify higher taxes?

I recently got my property tax notice and wow — a 48% increase. Last summer, when we got our skyrocketing property assessments, our forked-tongue officials told us that just because your assessment value went up, doesn't mean your taxes will go up. I believed them — with the ever-increasing tax base, the population explosion, and all the new houses popping up all over the city and county, I thought my taxes would probably go down. Well, surprise, surprise, my taxes on my 52-year-old home went up 48%.

How can this much of an increase be justified? Did our local government and services suddenly increase by half? Is it time to clean out City Hall and try to get some straight shooters and real public servants?

LARRY STONE

Sandpoint