Assessor controversy |
Assessor controversy |
Nov 27 2007, 11:57 AM
Post
#1
|
|
Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,431 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=46499.27
QUOTE What Is The Value Of Assessors? Their future is in question as officials look at ways to cut costs, better state’s property tax system. Laurie Wink The News-Dispatch LA PORTE - Controversy swirls around proposals to change Indiana's property tax system, with delays in property tax bills and many unhappy with the property assessment system. Gov. Mitch Daniels has proposed eliminating all 1,008 elected county and township assessors. His plan calls for streamlining the assessment process by having a single appointed assessor in each of Indiana's 92 counties selected by county councils. That selection would be on the basis of professional skills and experience, rather than having elected assessors. Howard Conley has been trustee assessor in Springfield Township for 29 years and says the system provides valuable services to residents. Conley isn't against combining some smaller townships. But if county and township assessors are cut, the concern is townships could disappear. "The Governor would like to eliminate township government all together," Conley said. "But you're not going to have volunteer firemen. They won't stay. In order to maintain fire protection, you will have to go to paid firemen. Where's that going to save money?" The Indiana Assessors Association opposes Daniels' plan. While the governor would trim the number of statewide assessors to 92, the assessor group is recommending even fewer; one appointed assessor for 10 regions in the state. Assessors have received the brunt of criticism for late tax bills and increased assessment figures. They want to change the public perception by having supervisors in the 10 regions report to the Indiana Department of Revenue, in an attempt to produce more consistent property assessments. The IAA also would add one certified, experienced assessor in each region who would be selected by and report to the regional supervisors. This approach may eliminate all of the state's elected township assessors. The Indiana Township Association Inc., created to support trustees and assessors, represents more than 750 of the state's 1,008 townships. The organization is preparing to fight efforts to do away with township government. Of La Porte County's 21 townships, only the three largest - Center, Coolspring and Michigan - have full time assessors. The other 18 townships have elected officials serving as assessors and trustees. Mike Schultz, assessor for Center Township, agrees township assessors bring a wealth of knowledge of local properties. Schultz said he has been able to work well with the Nexus Group consultants hired to handle property values. He added his familiarity with Center Township gives him an edge consultants don't have when determining property values. To boost the professional competency of township assessors, the state two years ago required all township assessors to become certified as Level 1 of Level 11 assessors. But Conley says things haven't changed all that much. "It's like before," Conley said. "There are good township assessors and those who don't care if they do a thing. That's what makes it bad for all of us." The veteran township official does not like the move to more centralized and privatized government services being pushed by Daniels. "I voted for him, but he's dead on arrival in the next (election)," Conley said. Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com. |
Nov 30 2007, 10:27 AM
Post
#2
|
|
Really Comfortable Group: Moderator Posts: 2,315 Joined: 10-February 07 From: Michigan City Member No.: 43 |
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=41484.75
QUOTE 11/30/2007 11:00:00 AM Attorney Defends Assessor Laurie Wink The News-Dispatch LA PORTE - La Porte County Attorney Shaw Friedman said the threat by state officials to pull certifications of 23 county assessors, including La Porte's Carol McDaniel, was a "massive over-reaction" to the state's reassessment problems. The Department of Local Government Finance announced this week that 23 county assessors are delinquent in providing property data for 2007 taxes, payable in 2008. Unless those assessors provide the information by Dec. 10, the DLGF said it will consider penalizing the assessors. Penalties include receiving a written reprimand, losing assessor credentials or having them suspended for one year, according to Cheryl Musgrave, DLGF commissioner. Friedman said assessor Carol McDaniel has "jumped over every hoop placed in her way." "She will certainly provide the 2007 pay 2008 assessment data by the Dec. 10 deadline," Friedman said. "But it's important that the public know she's working hard at this even with distractions like the Wendt lawsuits and has gotten approval from the state twice on our 2006 pay 2007 assessments." Long Beach resident Bill Wendt has filed a lawsuit challenging the county's reassessment numbers. The 2007 property data for 2008 tax bills were originally due Oct. 1 but the deadline was extended to Nov. 15. Musgrave said she wants to produce timely county-wide property tax bills for 2007 taxes payable in 2008. Friedman defended McDaniel by saying the DLGF has "diverted and preoccupied Ms. McDaniel with yet a third review of the same 2006 payable 2007 data they had approved twice earlier this year." DLGF's request for a written defense of the county's 2006 payable 2007 data, due Dec. 8, came after Wendt filed a petition with the DLGF claiming inaccuracies in the county-wide assessment data. His claim was based on analysis of county records by independent tax consultant Bob Denne, hired by Wendt. Friedman claims Denne is using data identified as preliminary at the time it was given to Wendt. Wendt filed a lawsuit against McDaniel in January to obtain county-wide property assessment records for 2006. Representing McDaniel in court, Friedman said the county would not provide Wendt with records containing sensitive information and needed to know precisely which records he wanted. The case has yet to be settled. Friedman said the DLGF approved La Porte County's 2006 pay 2007 data first on March 16, and again on Sept. 6, when Musgrave did not ask for a reassessment of the county's property at the time when other counties, notably Marion County, were requested to conduct reassessments. "Now the assessor is having to provide a hugely detailed response for the third time regarding 2006 pay 2007 assessments in response to yet another flawed study submitted by Mr. Wendt to the DLGF," Friedman said. "At some point, the DLGF needs to stick to its guns and not require further justification for work they have previously approved." The DLGF announcement that La Porte County data for the next property tax year is past due raises questions about delivery of tax bills in 2008, according to Musgrave. "Delinquent data is an indication that 2008 tax bills may not go out on time, and counties may have to borrow in 2008 to fund services to taxpayers," Musgrave said in her announcement. |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 14th June 2024 - 12:59 PM |
Skin Designed By: neo at www.neonetweb.com