Steve Mensing, Editor
♦ It recently came to our attention that someone voluntarily opted into Salisbury’s Municipal Service District and its excessively high tax rate said to be the highest municipal tax rate in the entire State of North Carolina. A puzzling act, yet all through human history some individuals choose to make questionable monetary sacrifices. You know like those fellows who hand out thousands of one hundred dollar bills on Time’s Square to passing strangers. “Here–no strings attached. Splurge, me lad.”
If someone can opt into making their property part of Salisbury’s Municipal Service District and its excessively high tax rate that supports the Empire Hotel and other questionable Downtown Salisbury, Inc. projects, then “logic” would surely dictate that someone ought to be able to opt out of the Municipal Service District. Like de-annexation. For such an option we have created a one size-fits all “Opt Out of Salisbury’s Municipal Service District Certificate” where you can fill in your name or scrawl an X (if you are a product of one of Salisbury’s elite D or F public schools). After filling in the generous blank, take it down to the city clerk. Demand a receipt and tell her, “I’m here to opt out of the Municipal Service District”. She’ll understand.
