Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BY DAN SPALDING, Times-Union Staff Writer
WINONA LAKE - In just a few quick years, the town of Winona Lake - in terms of tax rates - has gone from worst to first.
The town has historically dealt with a high tax rate because of the large amount of nontaxable property owned by churches and religious organizations.
But in recent years, the town has expanded through annexation and seen some of its residential properties upgraded as a result of renovations by Winona Restoration.
For the second consecutive year, town officials expect to have a tax rate of about $2.55, which is among the lowest in Kosciusko County.
Just four years ago, the rate was slightly above $3 per $100 of assessed valuation. The 1998 rate is $2.55 and officials doesn't see that rising in 1999.
Comparatively, the city of Warsaw's rate for 1998 is about $2.68.
Winona Lake's reduced rate helps eliminate a long-standing reputation in the town for high taxes.
Elaine Grill, spokesman for RE/MAX Rainbow Realtors, said the new trend is "very good news."
"For years, we've heard this old song and dance about 'We don't want to move to Winona Lake. The taxes are too high.' Well, they're not too high and, now, they're actually lower than Warsaw," Grill said.
Town Council president Brent Wilcoxson was so pleased with the trend, he sent real estate companies a press release hoping they use it when talking with customers.
Wilcoxson said he believes two-thirds of the reduction is from improved assessments and annexation.
He also attributed it, in part, to the council's fiscal outlook.
The town has reduced its cash balances in recent years, he said.
"We need to have enough money to run the town, and some rainy day money, but I think we were getting a little overboard on that. We were carrying a little too much cash," he said.
Other moves have helped, too, Wilcoxson said.
The town this year began contracting garbage service and has "tightened" its number of city employees, Wilcoxson said.
Council has also made some tough decisions about spending requests. One of those came from the fire department which sought a tanker and was turned down by council.
Those decisions are made based on "what we need to adequately perform that task," Wilcoxson said.
Wilcoxson said Winona Restoration's impact has been significant and notes that improvements to properties in the town are not complete. Ninety percent of the land being renovated was tax exempt, and is being placed back onto the tax rolls.
