Andover taxes? (Wichita: health insurance, buying a house, buying)

[Sara1440]

Hello, my fiance and I are planning on buying a house in the Wichita area. I went to high school in Andover and know that it is an excellent place to live. However, my fiance's co-workers keep telling us that Andover's taxes are ridiculously higher than Wichita's. Is this true? Is there that much of a difference?
I've been trying to look up the information online, but am having a hard time finding anything. I'd appreciate any response. Thanks so much and have a wonderful day...
Sara

[jackrackham]

taxes in kansas are just paling high. I have family living in wichita and am looking at the moment, nothing to offer and taxes are just high and you get nothing for them. as high as taxes are here you should get health insurance for the $

[Ruby1]

Along those same lines, can someone explain the "specials" taxes. Are these one time or yearly as in property tax?
Thanks

[antoncooper]

Specials are another little way that the kansas tax officals get you in the back end. what specials are, when a new subdivision is built the cost of bringing in city water, roads and sewer and electric is deffered so the developer does not have to pay it up front, each buyer get an assesment of what his share of the cost is, say you buy a brand new home in a brand new sub, your cost may be 15000, you have the option to pay it up fornt or take several years to pay, in the case of the latter you will have the payment tacked on to your taxes. so lets say you buy a home for 165 thousand in wichita, your taxes would be around 2000 a year, specials add say another 1600 a year for how many years it breaks down to, then add in say 250 a year for the home owners association dues, for what I guess for the swing set for the kids in the common areas if you are that lucky.
It is not uncommon to have taxes as high as 4 to 5k on a 165k home.
If you buy an older home you pick up the specials left on it, or in some cases if they are paid off no specials.
Kansas is a state that caters to big business and farmers only.
The city of wichita is trying to end the tax on equipment for business, but the gov, wants to add it back on to property taxes for home owners, Nice, this state is not looking out for the long run of its own best interest.
I have tried to check out buying here but it is not working out. Hot springs arkansas here I come.

[dany girl]

Sara - here is a link to the Butler County website, in particular the page that lists mil levy information. you will need to calculate City of Andover, USD 385, Bruno Township, State of KS, Regional Library, Fire District #1 and Butler County Community College, don't worry about the watershed district - thier mil levy is 0. Andover's mil levy is about 151 mils -

http://www.bucoks.com/Levies/2006%20FLEVY.pdf -

also check out this link for the formula to figure property taxes -

What is the mill levy

use the residental rate of
11.5% and you will have decide the value of the home you want to use. Tax rates in Andover are pushed up by the school district's 58 (almost 59) mils, as well as the 17 mils from the community college. The city's mil levy is around 38 mils which is very competative for the area. hope this helps.