Homebuilding, commercial development send regional tax base soaring
By KERRY L. SMITH

   From 1995 through 2004, a healthy number of municipalities throughout Madison, St. Clair and Monroe counties have seen their total assessed values double or even triple. Mayors, city managers and tax assessors say that's a sign of what Southwestern Illinois already knows: its quality of life factor is translating into staying power.
   Looking at cities on an individual basis, it's not surprising to note that over the past nine years, Edwardsville has recorded a 139 percent increase in assessed value - or that O'Fallon's numbers reflect a 140 percent increase over the same time period.
   But what may surprise some is that Troy's assessed valuation has risen 138 percent over that same time period. Madison County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan isn't at all surprised by that number; he sold a home in Troy a few years back.
   "I sold a 1,000-square-foot home with a double garage four years ago in Troy for $98,500," said Dunstan. "Today I bet they'd get $110,000 for it. I think a key reason the assessments are going up is that people are coming here from Missouri, and also because people who already live in Southwestern Illinois are moving up and [continue]