Assessor controversy |
Assessor controversy |
Nov 27 2007, 11:57 AM
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#1
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,426 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 28 2007, 05:12 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 |
Thank you Roger. Now, everyone else let it go. Roger has personal reasons he does not want to share and he's not obligated to.
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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Dec 28 2007, 05:54 PM
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Really Comfortable Group: Members Posts: 1,099 Joined: 11-January 07 Member No.: 19 |
It's Conners money and he can do what he likes with it. Hell, for all I care, he can go throw it down at BlueChip. If he want's he can spend it on lawyers. I can appreciate your dislike for someone but I can tell you he's not stupid. Shrewd maybe but not stupid.
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Jan 1 2008, 12:27 PM
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Members Posts: 3,237 Joined: 8-December 06 From: MC Member No.: 3 |
It's Conners money and he can do what he likes with it. Hell, for all I care, he can go throw it down at BlueChip. If he want's he can spend it on lawyers. I can appreciate your dislike for someone but I can tell you he's not stupid. Shrewd maybe but not stupid. Is that what people thought, that they were giving that guy money to do what he likes? The PR said the money was gonna be used to pay expenses of the lawsuit. Dupes! That is what ppl like him depend on. Amen, DAVE!!! The difference between genius and stupidity is that there are limits to genius. Albert Einstein
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Jan 1 2008, 09:00 PM
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#5
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Really Comfortable Group: Members Posts: 1,099 Joined: 11-January 07 Member No.: 19 |
Rog, Mike is in a lawsuit. It is going to cost him many times what was made in that meeting therefore the money HAS been spent on the lawsuit. Understand this is HIS LAWSUIT and the money from that meeting is HIS money. People came there to be educated and that's what they got. It was a very good gathering and everyone seemed to find it informative, I was there. People stayed around long after it was over to talk to some of the resources who were there and not a single person out of the 300 left early.
Is that what people thought, that they were giving that guy money to do what he likes? The PR said the money was gonna be used to pay expenses of the lawsuit. Dupes! That is what ppl like him depend on. Amen, DAVE!!! |
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