Pulaski County officials may soon be asking state lawmakers to help balance out the county’s tax structure. The county currently has one of the highest income tax rates in the state but relatively low property taxes. But fiscal planning consultant Jeffrey Peters told the county council and commissioners Monday that simply replacing income taxes with property taxes isn’t always possible.
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Pulaski County could see annual funding shortfalls of $2.7 million within the next few years, if it remains on its current financial path. Consultant Jeffrey Peters presented the first part of a fiscal plan to the county council and commissioners Monday.
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Changes in assessments of agricultural land are impacting local communities’ tax revenues. Ron Gifford with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation shared some statistics with the Hamlet Town Council Wednesday.
Continue readingPulaski County’s fiscal planning process is taking a bit longer than expected. Back in October, fiscal planning consultant Jeffrey Peters said he planned to have the plan done by mid-December. But during last week’s county council meeting, county officials said they still hadn’t gotten any results.
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The Knox Community School Corporation’s 2019 budget has been approved by the state with no big surprises, according to Treasurer Dawn Bailey. She told the school board last week that the Department of Local Government Finance cut the budget a little bit, and that the district’s property tax rate is set to go up by a little more than two cents.
Pulaski County’s tax structure is not sustainable. That’s what fiscal planning consultant Jeffrey Peters told the county council during a public hearing Monday. “You’re on a track that you can’t continue on,” he said, “and those income taxes are going to have to be shifted around in some fashion, in order to get you back to an equilibrium to provide services under a revenue model that does not eat up all your cash over time.”
The Oregon-Davis School Corporation’s 2019 budget was officially adopted by the school board Monday, according to Superintendent Dr. Don Harman. The total estimated budget adds up to about $8.4 million.
The Pulaski County Commissioners are moving ahead with a fiscal plan. They voted two-to-one Monday to hire Peters Municipal Consultants to put the plan together, with Jerry Locke voting in opposition. Of the two proposals the county received, Peters’ was apparently cheaper, with a maximum cost of $24,000, compared to Umbaugh and Associates’ cap of $35,000.
Pulaski County officials continue to consider hiring an outside consultant to help put together a fiscal plan for the county. The county council and commissioners heard presentations from two firms Monday, but no final action was taken by the commissioners. County officials have been looking at adjusting the county’s tax structure for over a year. It currently relies heavily on income taxes, which is expected to become an increasing problem as the county’s population continues to decline.
The Pulaski County Council is not likely to address issues with its local income tax structure in time to have an impact on the 2019 budget. A sudden drop in revenues from the “LIT Levy Freeze” tax was brought to the county council’s attention in September of 2017. In the months that followed, there were some discussions about working with an accounting firm to address the issues, but little progress was made.
The budget structure for schools will change beginning in January 2019 and Superintendent Don Street said the West Central School Board members are taking steps now to make those changes.
As the Oregon-Davis School Board considers a potential property tax referendum next year, local residents had another chance Wednesday to learn about the corporation’s financial situation.
As the Winamac Park Board considers various upgrades to the town’s park facilities, board members are also learning about potential funding sources. Eric Walsh with accounting firm Umbaugh and Associates met with the park board Thursday to outline the steps for issuing bonds. Continue reading
Property owners may qualify for real estate tax exemptions based on their age, disability status and whether or not they are a military veteran. The exemptions lower the amount of taxes due. Mortgage-holders qualify for a deduction of $3,000 if they reside on their real property, including mobile homes. It can be combined with other exemptions. A second exemption that’s available to owners who reside on their real estate, including mobile homes, is the homestead credit, also known as the standard deduction. Homestead credit mounts vary. Continue reading
The Town of North Judson plans to upgrade some of its alleys. The town council Monday voted to use 25-percent of the property tax revenue the town received from the state, for alley maintenance. Continue reading
A recent study says Starke County spends its property tax dollars effectively compared with others in the state.
The survey from SmartAsset shows places across the Hoosier State where residents are getting the most bang for their buck. The study includes statistical factors such as school rankings, crime rates, and the property tax levy rate.
Farmland owners will enjoy significant tax relief in 2016 thanks to action by the Indiana General Assembly. Senate Bill 436 freezes the base rate for farm ground at $2,050 per acre. That’s 15-percent less than the rate announced last December by the state Department of Local Government Finance. Continue reading
The spring installment of property taxes is due today. The Starke County Treasurer’s office will be open until 4 p.m. to accept payments. They can also be left in the drop box outside the office in the annex building. Payments left there before 8 a.m. tomorrow will be considered timely.
Tax bills are in the mail to Marshall County property owners. Treasurer Penny Lukenbill urges taxpayers to check their statements carefully to make sure they are getting all of the deductions for which they qualify. Continue reading
Voters in California, Center and Washington Townships can get a firsthand look at what advocates say are long overdue and necessary repairs to the Palmer wing at Knox Elementary School this evening. The Whatever it Takes Committee is hosting another open house at the school from 5 until 6 p.m. Problems with the 60-year-old original structure include an antiquated heating and cooling system, a cramped cafeteria that is insufficient to prepare food for the entire student population and a host of other problems. The work will only be done if voters agree to support a property tax during a May 7th special election, for which absentee voting is under way at the Starke County Courthouse. Click https://gateway.ifionline.org/CalculatorsDLGF/RefCalculator.aspx to determine how much your property taxes will go up should the referendum pass.
