Winona Posts Property Tax Letter Online
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
Winona Lake and other homeowners in the county received property tax bills this week in the mail.[[In-content Ad]]Winona Lake Town Coordinator Craig Allebach said the town posted the letter online to make residents aware of the property tax increase.
"We wanted to provide our residents with an explanation and resources to contact their legislatures," Allebach said.
"We are proud how the town has held the line, and we are encouraging the legislature to look at a hometown matters plan that reduces reliance on property taxes."
The letter states in the past two years, the town's local tax rate has decreased by 22 percent.
In 2006, the local portion of the tax rate was $2.17; of that amount, 53 cents was Winona Lake's tax rate; and in 2007, Winona Lake's portion is 41 cents.
The letter states the town feels the greatest reason for property tax increases is trending.
Trending is the process that the township assessor goes through to attempt to bring the assessed value of property closer to what its market value is.
In addition to trending, the letter states another cause for property tax increases is that business inventories now are completely exempt from the property tax rolls. The dollars once generated by this category are now being paid mostly by homeowners.
The legislature capped the subsidy they give local governments to offset property taxes.
At the same time they capped these credits, they made more things exempt from relief of these credits like large school construction projects.
The letter says the state continues to spend more for child welfare each year, which is an unfunded mandate for cities and towns. This is a state-run program that counties have no control over yet are required to pay for.
The legislature cut the homestead credit this year. While the credit once was 28 percent, it has been lowered by the legislature to 20 percent.
Cities and towns across Indiana have made it their mission to find ways to cut spending, streamline government and create partnerships with other municipalities.
The letter states county government is holding joint meetings with all county entities to discuss ways to increase efficiency and to partner in purchasing agreements.
Hicks suggested adopting a plan called Hometown Matters which is an option the legislature may consider.
The plan, developed by mayors, clerk-treasurers, town managers and other municipal experts statewide is a plan to reduce reliance on property taxes and allow other revenue-raising measures. The goal of the plan is to create an environment for more efficient local government.
To read the letter and get contact information for local representatives, visit www.winonalake.net
Winona Lake and other homeowners in the county received property tax bills this week in the mail.[[In-content Ad]]Winona Lake Town Coordinator Craig Allebach said the town posted the letter online to make residents aware of the property tax increase.
"We wanted to provide our residents with an explanation and resources to contact their legislatures," Allebach said.
"We are proud how the town has held the line, and we are encouraging the legislature to look at a hometown matters plan that reduces reliance on property taxes."
The letter states in the past two years, the town's local tax rate has decreased by 22 percent.
In 2006, the local portion of the tax rate was $2.17; of that amount, 53 cents was Winona Lake's tax rate; and in 2007, Winona Lake's portion is 41 cents.
The letter states the town feels the greatest reason for property tax increases is trending.
Trending is the process that the township assessor goes through to attempt to bring the assessed value of property closer to what its market value is.
In addition to trending, the letter states another cause for property tax increases is that business inventories now are completely exempt from the property tax rolls. The dollars once generated by this category are now being paid mostly by homeowners.
The legislature capped the subsidy they give local governments to offset property taxes.
At the same time they capped these credits, they made more things exempt from relief of these credits like large school construction projects.
The letter says the state continues to spend more for child welfare each year, which is an unfunded mandate for cities and towns. This is a state-run program that counties have no control over yet are required to pay for.
The legislature cut the homestead credit this year. While the credit once was 28 percent, it has been lowered by the legislature to 20 percent.
Cities and towns across Indiana have made it their mission to find ways to cut spending, streamline government and create partnerships with other municipalities.
The letter states county government is holding joint meetings with all county entities to discuss ways to increase efficiency and to partner in purchasing agreements.
Hicks suggested adopting a plan called Hometown Matters which is an option the legislature may consider.
The plan, developed by mayors, clerk-treasurers, town managers and other municipal experts statewide is a plan to reduce reliance on property taxes and allow other revenue-raising measures. The goal of the plan is to create an environment for more efficient local government.
To read the letter and get contact information for local representatives, visit www.winonalake.net
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