Homeowners in areas annexed by Winston-Salem will receive tax bills covering 21 months in 2007

From the Winston-Salem Journal:

Residents in the areas of Forsyth County designated for annexation to Winston-Salem should start preparing now for the property-tax bills they will get in September 2007, city officials said yesterday.

Property taxes for the newly annexed residents will increase by 73 percent, from the current 66.6 cents for every $100 of assessed value to a combined $1.15 for every $100.

Winston-Salem has the second-highest tax rate in Forsyth County. Kernersville has the highest combined tax rate.

On top of the increase, the new residents will be billed for 21 months of taxes.

Robin Megela was surprised to hear yesterday that she would owe that much come September 2007.

Two bills will come to her house at that time: one for city and county taxes owed during the 12-month period from July 2007 to June 2008, and another for just the city taxes owed during the nine months from October 2006 to June 2007.

After living in Pfafftown, an unincorporated community, for 17 years, Megela will officially be living in Winston-Salem on Sept. 30 as a result of annexation. She's not happy about it, citing concerns about possible sewage costs, her satisfaction with the way things are as a county resident - and the new taxes.

"We got the raw end of the stick," she said. "We were very happy with what we have."

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