Property Taxes Could Cause Sea Change At Ballot Box

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(INDIANAPOLIS) - Outrage over soaring property taxes may cost some officeholders their jobs at the ballot box. It could cost township assessors their jobs in the legislature.

An Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute study a year ago criticized wild variations in how similar properties are assessed across township and county lines. The problem drew little notice until this year, when assessments in Marion and Posey counties were so out of whack that the state ordered them to freeze bills at last year's level and start over.

Fifteen more counties have been told to reexamine assessments, but taxpayers will still pay bills based on the original valuations.

Republican Senator Jim Merritt of Indianapolis has proposed abolishing township assessors and turning the job over to the state. And House Speaker Patrick Bauer (D-South Bend) says the idea deserves a look.

Merritt's proposal is part of a larger plan to eliminate all township offices in Marion County. Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson has been trying for three years to drastically reduce township government, leaving only two township poor-relief offices while consolidating fire and assessment services.

Bauer says he supports Peterson's efforts, but says that battle remains difficult because of the multiple "fiefdoms" involved.

House Democrats rejected the latest township consolidation proposal this year, after Republicans had blocked the plan the previous two years.

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