This is in response to the Aug. 6 letter from Jack Shubic titled “Homeowners shouldn’t foot the bill.”

From the content of that letter, I am assuming that Shubic is a homeowner. I also believe that he is ignorant of the full picture. I’ve been both a homeowner and a renter, so I’ve been on both sides of the fence. It is an error to believe that “only homeowners will foot the bill.” How do you suppose landlords set rent amounts? Do you think they just randomly pick a number out of a hat? Consult a psychic for a good number, perhaps? Of course not! Rent is directly proportional to homeowner/landlord expenses. Landlords don’t just keep rent the same when they’re repeatedly hit with hikes in land taxes. Instead, when property taxes go up, so does rent. That goes for many other major homeowner/landlord expenses as well. Maybe this has never occurred to Shubic. Renters, however, understand this all too well.

In a nutshell, then, renters do pay property taxes. The only difference is that, instead of making a check out to the county, they pay the landlord (through higher rent), who in turn pays the county. It still winds up in the hands of the county. Therefore, it doesn’t matter what percentage of the population rents vs. owns. We all pay property taxes. That’s why it’s fair that everyone has the right to vote on these types of matters (including school funding). If the proposition passes, it’s because people want it, not because “60 percent of you have no financial stake.” Everyone (homeowners and renters alike) has a financial stake.

I don’t live in Kingston, but this kind of thing happens in Poulsbo as well. Everywhere else too. And, regardless of whether I own or rent, I pay my fair share.

Sue Siegfried

Poulsbo