Assessor controversy |
Assessor controversy |
Nov 27 2007, 11:57 AM
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,432 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. |
Dec 27 2007, 02:13 PM
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 5,171 Joined: 11-December 06 From: Indiana Member No.: 10 |
QUOTE http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=54852.63 Another Retiree Can't Take Taxes Thank you, Mr. Frank DiGiacomo, for your support regarding property taxes that are out of control and primarily directed at people living in the beach area ["Retired beach dweller not rich," Sunday]. I, like you, am retired and living on a fixed income in Shoreland Hills. We've sacrificed so we could live in a nice area only to have self-serving, out-of-control-spending fools superinflate our taxes because they think our living here means we're people of money. I've never been rich, but where I live has always been important to me. They feel we either have money or we come from Illinois because we live in the beach area. This inadequate form of thinking results in heavy discrimination and may even touch on profiling. On Sunday morning we all woke to find ourselves hit with a deep layer of snow. It is beautiful and this is the season for such happenings. Yet I'm hard pressed to fully understand how you can charge me $4,100 in property taxes and then not plow my street until 8:19 p.m. I do believe that all of you in charge have much to contemplate. I personally want to thank you all for your dedicated service. I'll remember you all on election day. Harold Wolf Michigan City QUOTE http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...&TM=54861.8 Sound Off! entry by: nancy thill Another Retiree Can't Take Taxes I applaud Mr. Wolf for his letter, and encourage him, and other displeased taxpayers to take there concerns one step further and contact their legislators. I urge them to tell these elected officials to cap the property taxes for residential, including second homes, at 1%. Contact Governor Daniels: 317-232-4567 By Mail: Office of the Governor Statehouse Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2797 By email via the internet: http://www.in.gov/gov/2310.htm Better yet, contact his wife, first lady Cheri Daniels: By Phone: 317-931-3076 By Mail: 4750 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46208 By email via the internet: http://www.in.gov/gov/firstlady/2410.htm Indiana Senate, Jim Arnold 317 232 9532; or email s8@ai.org Or fill out the contact form at: http://www.in.gov/cgi-bin/legislative/cont...rnold,Jim|s8|sd Indiana House, Scott Pelath 800 382 9842; or email R9@ai.org Or fill out the contact form at: http://www.in.gov/cgi-bin/legislative/cont...lath,Scott|h9|d And contact them quickly, timing is of the essence in this situation. Go on, give them an earful, they tried to ruin everyone's holidays! Nancy Thill Michigan City Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~Dr. Suess
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