Despite a 15 percent drop in the value of their home, Richmond residents Gary and Debbie Tiritilli saw their property taxes go up $500 this year.

“I just thought it was outrageous,” Gary Tiritilli said, so he decided to take the matter to the two school districts that cover Richmond and Spring Grove. The districts receive the bulk of the Tiritillis’ property taxes – about two-thirds, he said.

With the economy still weak and foreclosures high, now is not the time to be increasing the levy, Tiritilli told the boards in September and again in October.