[Following is an article submitted to this website today. I added the title and graphic.]
Over the years, I have heard (repeatedly) how high the taxes are in Columbia Borough. I was born here and have been a property owner since 1986. When I was young, I simply accepted whatever the taxes were and paid them without question. Taxes were part of the mortgage payment and therefore I (like many other young people) made the payment and ignored the tax part. The closer I get to retirement, the more I realize it may be impossible to continue living in this borough. I wanted to see what other options might be available and this became quite an eye-opener. Hearing that taxes are “high” is not enough, we need to look closer to see clearly just how high they really are.
Currently, there are a few homes for sale that have a Columbia address, but are actually in West Hempfield.
I found an example of this with two homes of comparable square footage and selling price, both with Columbia addresses, but one sitting in West Hempfield Township. The annual property tax was 1,667.00 dollars higher in Columbia. That is enough to pay a winter heating bill for one year/season. For a person in retirement, that is a chunk of change.
I found an example of this with two homes of comparable square footage and selling price, both with Columbia addresses, but one sitting in West Hempfield Township. The annual property tax was 1,667.00 dollars higher in Columbia. That is enough to pay a winter heating bill for one year/season. For a person in retirement, that is a chunk of change.
The following scenario is based on a home worth 150,000 dollars, as well as good health:
A homeowner in Columbia, planning to retire at 62 years and live in their home until he or she reaches age 82 will pay well over 120,000.00 dollars in property tax to Columbia Borough during that 20 year period. Obviously that amount will rise, but is based on no increase for the sake of this study. That is like paying for the home twice. The average tax bill will be 500.00 a month! We never actually OWN the home, even if the mortgage is paid, we rent it from the borough. If homeowners were billed $500.00 a month for taxes, I wonder how many would be delinquent. That 120,000.00 dollars does not include all the tax money paid to the borough prior to retirement.
A homeowner in Columbia, planning to retire at 62 years and live in their home until he or she reaches age 82 will pay well over 120,000.00 dollars in property tax to Columbia Borough during that 20 year period. Obviously that amount will rise, but is based on no increase for the sake of this study. That is like paying for the home twice. The average tax bill will be 500.00 a month! We never actually OWN the home, even if the mortgage is paid, we rent it from the borough. If homeowners were billed $500.00 a month for taxes, I wonder how many would be delinquent. That 120,000.00 dollars does not include all the tax money paid to the borough prior to retirement.
The last part that grabbed my attention was a “three- building” rental property for sale in the borough with an annual property tax of 10,762.00 dollars. This property has 13, one-bedroom units, and one commercial space. There is the potential for 13 to 26 people to reside in this apartment building. The tax on one, single family home, is as high as 6,000.00 dollars. The people living in the single family home probably are maintaining their property, thereby helping the borough’s image. On the other hand, the landlord is more than likely not living in the borough and does as little as possible to maintain the property, in order to enhance his own wallet. The tax disparity is obvious.
If the homeowners in Columbia were billed monthly for taxes and paid their mortgage separately, there would be a public outcry. The homeowners in this borough must come together and demand action. Attend the council meetings, crowd the room, speak up. If we went shopping and made a $500.00 purchase monthly, I am certain beyond a doubt that we would demand to know what our money bought and we would want to be satisfied with the product. Our tax money is no different.
(Tax information was gathered from public records.)
[Name withheld by request]
Columbia Spy 
the landlords SHOULD pay taxes on the building BUT the tenants SHOULD pay taxes to live in this Boro and send thier kids to our schools. PERIOD. and not a $10 head tax. $500 for 1 or 2 children and $1000.00 for more than 2….the landlords pay a little bit of nothing to register thieri properties. i agree. raise it and get rid of the scum
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I can not believe someone has the nerve to talk down on the CBAA – a not for profit organization that has Volunteers that give countless hours of their free time so the youth of Columbia has a place to play sports! Not only are you so ignorant to understand that the donation request is so we can keep registration costs down so all kids can play but you don't even have the nerve to show your identity. I the treasurer of the CBAA ( and by the way, my child is no longer in the program) and my name is Kim Clark, or previously known as Kim Clark. Please feel free to come to our next board meeting, or as another poster said, get off your butt and volunteer, and make a difference!
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Sorry, previously known as Kim Rhoads.
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This donation request came along with information on a Pass, Punt and Kick contest that we have for the players. We ask that players try to get monetary sponsors for this event as a fundraiser for the organization. This year we added the option of donating non-perishable items or a monetary donation. Sending in a donation is NOT MANDATORY for the player to participate in the contest. If the person who made this post would have read the letter closely they would know that. People do not realize how few people spend countless hours helping this organization. It becomes a 2nd full time job and takes away a lot of time from our own families. It is time for some other people to step up and help! We are always open to new ideas on keeping costs down for the athletes in our community.
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Kim, why did you take your child out of the program?
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If you hang around down town or outskirts of town you would hear more about the running of C.B.A.A. and its not good. We need grant money bad! Restrooms are bad!
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yes the rental properties and the school district are killing this town….first create a mandatory tax for ALL adult tenants that have children in school (only) do NOT tax the elderly-its a sin. make the tenants PAY for the services they steal in this town.the school district can NOT afford what about $3 million JUST for 3 top admin salaries. what the heck doesn't the school board understand. throw them out and replace with all new members….BYE tom strickler.
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They are doing a good job, just my opinion. The jobs they have I would love to have. Millionaires row!!!!
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Its not going to help. The school teachers pensions and state pensions must go! Stop them now and give them 401k's!!!!!!
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My son went the whole way up through the program, he is no longer in the program because he is 15 and now in high school sports. I still volunteer my time because if I didn't, along with the others, the program would not survive. Again instead of putting down an organization that does nothing but give 100% to the youth of this time please come to a board meeting, donate your time and find out first hand what we do!
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Instead of making bad assumptions and standing downtown listening to hearsay,come to a CBAA board meeting to find out first hand running a non profit organization is challenging considering the lack of man power. Just like any business, without the manpower there will be disjointed efforts and lack of organization. If you and your group who “hang” downtown would only put the same effort of complaining about how the CBAA is ran and use those efforts to actually get off your butt and volunteer your time or expertise in running an organization maybe all our problems would be solved. Until you actually become involved, you don't have a clue!
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The CBAA does not own Gladfelter field;Gladfelter foundation does. Although CBAA pays for field repairs, maintenance, football and baseball field lights, and insurance, CBAA can not control the bathroom situation other than attempting to keep it clean. Upgrades to the facility must go through the foundation.
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Then the Gladfelter foundation has failed. Its time to move on and get out of the past. We need to merge with Hempfield!! If not, then CBAA is done for.
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