Jun
16
7:29 AM
What’s the Damage?
You should have received your property tax reconciliation bill by now. So my first question for you is what’s the damage? And my second question is are you getting your money’s worth?
Jun
13
10:47 AM
Too Many Cooks, Spoiled (tax) Stew
This week’s property tax events here in Marion County once again highlight the need for some type of county government reform by consolidating offices as recommended by the Kernan-Shepard report. It’s obvious that there are so many cooks stirring the broth that not only is it spoiled, but it’s often impossible to determine who spoiled it.
On Tuesday, County Treasurer Mike Rodman held a news conference to explain the 2007 catch-up property tax bills, which were just being mailed to homeowners. Rodman and his aides gave a very detailed, informative presentation, which answered most questions. But he knew homeowners would have more, and he wanted them to know up-front that he didn’t have most of the answers.
What if I disagree with my assessment? Call Greg Bowes, the County Assessor. When can I expect my rebate check in the mail? Call Billie Breaux, the County Auditor. Why do I have to wait for the rebate check, when it would have been so much simpler and quicker to apply the rebate as a credit on the catch-up bill? See your House Democratic majority, which refused to even hear a bill to do just that.
All of those issues (except the House Democratic one) would be greatly affected by combining the offices of Treasurer, Auditor, and Assessor, as some reform proposals would do. It might not make the answers to those questions any more palatable to taxpayers. But it would at least put the onus on one official. And it wouldn’t matter if he or she was elected or appointed. The trail would still lead to one door, to one person who could be held accountable if things went wrong. If elected, that person could be tossed out of office. If appointed, his or her boss would be in hot water. But there would be no shifting of blame or questions or issues or anything else.
By the way, notice that all the people to whom Rodman transferred questions or criticisms (Bowes, Breaux, House Speaker Pat Bauer) are all fellow Democrats. It shows just how seriously our elected officials fear any revival of last year’s taxpayer revolt. Party loyalty is taking second place to self-preservation.
Jun
13
5:52 AM
The People Are Revolting!!!
That didn’t take long. Those tax protestors are making a comeback. Outraged by reconciliation bills, they are planning a 4th of July protest in front of the Governor’s residence on North Meridian. The rally is being led by Andy Horning, Libertarian candidate for Governor.
In an e-mail to supporters Horning writes “…this time, we’re not going to be distracted by the tax policy sub-issue. We’ll no longer nibble at the branches of the problem of lawbreaking lawmakers. We’re not going to fuss over symptoms - we aim to cure the disease of ungoverned government!”
Do you hear the people sing? Sing the songs of angry men! This is going to be fun to watch.
Jun
11
8:44 AM
Day of Reconciliation
I’ve got some more details to report on the property tax reconciliation bills that you are getting in the mail this week.
Marion County Treasurer Mike Rodman says while 90 percent of taxpayers will see a lower bill, it won’t be by much. In Washington Township some tax bills only dropped by $7, while others went up $991.
County wide, Rodman says the average decrease is $200, and that’s a rough estimate. Most of the increases though occurred in Center and Washington Townships.
Although tax bills are due July 10, Marion County did get a waiver to send out rebate checks before that date, which Rodman says will ease some of the pain. But out of the 300,000 tax bills sent out, 85,000 homeowners will not get a rebate.
Rodman also worries that many taxpayers may think the reconciliation bill is their Spring 2008 tax bill and they will forget that the tax relief provided by the General Assembly only applies to next year’s bills.
The irony of all of this has not been lost on Franklin Township Assessor Becky Williams. Williams says the assessors tried to warn the public that their bills would not change much and now they’ll get to see it for themselves.
She also says there are a number of appeals coming and claims apartments were over-assessed by millions of dollars.
I’ve also been told there are a number of tax protests coming and at least one is scheduled to take place in front of the Governor’s mansion.
Jun
9
8:50 PM
Brace Yourself, There’s Another Storm Coming!
If you thought the floods and rains that hit south central Indiana were bad, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
Marion County lawmakers got a briefing tonight on the property reconciliation bills that are going out this week and when it’s all said and done homeowners will wish their property was under 10 feet of water.
According to one lawmaker, “this is not going to be pretty.”
The briefing was conducted by Marion County Treasurer Mike Rodman. Residents will see very little, if any relief in most cases.
The lawmaker, who asked not to be identified said, “the people who were the most vocal last summer will be the ones who see the least amount of relief.”
And to add insult to injury, only one-third of Marion County residents pay their property taxes through escrow, the rest just pay their bills as they get them in the mail.
200,000 reconciliation bills went out today. The rest will go out later in the week. And because of state lawmakers, you won’t get your rebate check until AFTER you get your bill.
One section of Marion County that saw 90 percent increases in their bills will now see 70 percent.
It also appears the two largest culprits for the tax increases are schools and the failure of local lawmakers to phase in a replacement of the inventory tax.
And just to add insult to injury, I’m told the township assessors did not fully comply with the Department of Local Government and Finance Rules so the property tax bills which are slated to come out in October and December will also be estimates so there will be another reconciliation bill waiting for you next year.
More details are yet to come, but from I understand this going to get real ugly real quick.
Someone may want to declare Marion County a disaster area now because the tax relief that came out of the 2008 General Assembly won’t show up until the next bill.
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