The real reason why town rulers want improved businesses and homes

To extract more from the hapless taxpayer. Note a few salient features:

1. The government assessment is not a true market price. It is provided by a government contractor, i.e., a group that is paid by expropriation of the taxpayer.
2. Rising assessment means higher property tax (for the same rate). Why can't the property owner reap the full benefit of a higher capitalization of his home?
3. Property tax is the current version of feudal rents. We do not own our homes. Our town rulers do, and they let us stay there for a fee that they determine.
4. Rising budgets work hand-in-glove with rising property taxes. Increasing one provides incentive for increasing the other.

If people want tax relief, they need to realize that government spending must be slashed.