As published in the Times on May 3rd and the Post-Tribune on May 10th, the following is the proposed 2007 tax rate for Hammond. The tax rate is broken down by the different taxing units. The 2007 rate is also compared with the 2006 rate along with the percentage increase.
COUNTY
2006 Rate .0999
2007 Rate 1.0046
Increase 14.8%
TOWNSHIP
2006 Rate .0676
2007 Rate .2425
Increase 258.7%
CORPORATION
2006 Rate 1.9940
2007 Rate 2.7711
Increase 39%
SCHOOL
2006 Rate 2.1874
2007 Rate 3.5091
Increase 60%
LIBRARY
2006 Rate .2142
2007 Rate .2440
Increase 13.9%
SPECIAL DISTRICTS
2006 Rate .2050
2007 Rate .3112
Increase 52%
Taxing units always ask for more because once the tax rate is set for the year, they cannot come back and ask for more money. What should set up red flags for taxpayers, however, is these proposed rates for 2007 are all increases. Some of the increases, especially for the township and the school corporation, are pretty substantial. WHERE ARE THE SPENDING CUTS?
These rates for 2007 are only proposed. We hope the DLGF will be looking out for the taxpayers, and the final rates for 2007 will be substantially less. We would like to see the 2007 rates lower than the 2006 rates. Yeah, right! Wishful thinking!