Beginning January1, 2009, the Lake County Assessor's office will assume the duties of setting values for properties in North Township. Voters in Munster, Hammond, East Chicago, Highland, and Whiting chose to abolish the North Township Assessor's office in a November 4 referendum.
The Cedar Creek, Eagle Creek, Hanover, West Creek and Winfield township assessors have already been consolidated into the county assessor's office as mandated by the state legislature.
From this consolidation and downsizing of six township assessor offices, Lake County taxpayers will see a savings of more than $683,000.
North Township Assessor John Matonovich will retain his title of assessor until 2010 but will have his salary reduced from its current level of $52,290. He can apply for a job in the county assessor's office but will only receive a salary of $25,000. Matonovich has already indicated he will take a position.
The remaining 18 staff members from Matonovich's office will have to compete for the 8 to 10 positions that are available in the county assessor's office.
"We will try to take them for experience, qualification and no political BS," Lake County Assessor Paul Karras said. "I have to have qualified people. Those who we feel don't measure up to the task, they're gone."
Nine of 10 full-time staff members from the five smaller township assessors offices were absorbed into the county assessor's office. The five assessors are currently working at half-pay, and it is not sure whether they will remain on Karras's staff in 2009.