SAME BALONEY JUST A DIFFERENT CITY

This guest column was sent to us by the Voice of New Albany, a citizen watchdog group and fellow taxpayer advocates. Alot of similarities between New Albany and Hammond.

DENHART: Vote ‘No’ on LOIT tax

By VICKI DENHART
Local Guest Columnist

December 04, 2008 07:19 pm

— I am writing in response to Detective Paul M. Haub’s article on Nov. 21. First of all, no one in our city is against the police and fire department. Some city and county employees need to stop making this a personal issue.

Citizens for Accountability is against wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars. We demand accountability to the taxpayers on how our tax dollars are spent.

LOIT tax should not be passed as it should not be a “bailout tax” for the city of New Albany. House Bill 1001 was designed to put accountability back on local government and not taxpayers.

There are normally two sides to an issue. Like I stated at the last Floyd County Council meeting, there are three sides — county’s, city’s and the taxpayers’.

The city claims they need more money, the county needs more money, but taxpayers need their money. The city needs to stay within its budget. Unlike the city, the county stays within its budget.

Our city of New Albany has a $16 million general fund and about 84 percent goes to police and fire. How can our city survive on about $3 million in our general fund? Can residents survive another tax?

Taxpayers are facing increased fees for sewers and stormwater in 2009. What you are saying to residents, Mr. Haub, is that residents should be penalized for working so our local government can spend more and tax us more? You work for the taxpayers, and the taxpayers don’t work for you.

The problem with local government is:
• Taxpayers have no accountability from local government
• No city take-home car policy
• No city cell phone policy
• City police officers no longer pay for gas
• City police officers use their cars for second jobs, shopping and errands
• Taxpayers pay for car insurance, maintenance and repairs on city police cars

We have officers on city and county councils voting for raises that affect their pay — is that not a conflict of interest?

Some police officers were supposed to retire and didn’t. Our top 20 paid employees in 2007 made $1.78 million?

Compared to other second-class cities, our police officers have an excellent salary and insurance package. So who is looking out for the taxpayers?

Indiana State Board of Accounts has listed violations by the New Albany Police Department for not keeping logs on mileage and cell phones for the last two years. We look at city financial reports and see the parks department spending $10,000 a month on cell phones. We can’t have much compassion for city employees. A few police officers and firefighters have been overpaid and never had to repay that money back. Nice bonus ... huh?

During the last 17 years, each new mayor has had his/her “feel good projects” at the expense of the taxpayers. Do we really need a statue for our city of Mr. Floyd or a new “Welcome to New Albany” sign? When money gets tight, police officers scream, “we need take-home cars,” and a majority of the officers live outside our city? How does that prevent crime in New Albany? Why is the police department not willing to make more concessions?

Officers received a 3 percent raise plus 1 percent longevity pay in 2007. It’s pretty sad when taxpayers see a former union representative stand before our City Council stating that “we got more in arbitration than we asked for. What are we supposed to do ... give it back?” That was truly unbelievable to hear. Taxpayers only wish we had that problem.

Residents have been fighting past and current mayors and council about spending, tax abatements, increased fees, city audits and wasteful spending. Our city wants us to support another tax?

There comes a time when taxpayers can afford only what we can afford, and not one nickel more.

We agree with Councilman Steve Price — go back to 2007 salary levels, as he suggested, and renegotiate contracts. Quit pricing yourselves out of a job. Stop being a detriment to the common good of the residents of New Albany.

When things get tough, every department should sacrifice just like the taxpayers. What happens if the economy gets worse?

What happens if the department of Local Government Finance cuts our budgets even more?

More families are losing their homes and will be moving out of our city. Where can you get new revenue? You mention about living paycheck to paycheck — imagine raising a family on $30,000 or under? If things are as tight as you say, why not sell the boat you own?

Taxpayers have to sacrifice to keep our homes, feed our kids, buy groceries, pay utilities and keep our cars running, so we can keep our jobs.

This is our solution for city government:
• New Albany police officers should do exactly what Louisville and Jeffersonville are doing — they pay, every two weeks, for taking home police cars or park these taxpayer-owned cars. Jeffersonville made a good decision and ruled police cars should not leave the city limits. New Albany should follow the same plan.
• Elected and appointed officials are driving around in taxpayers’ vehicles; they should pay every two weeks or park their vehicles at City Hall.
• We suggest that city employees give up three paid holidays a year or face layoffs.
• We suggest the mayor give up 17 percent of his salary and eliminate deputy mayor and city operation manager. Mayor England should lead by example instead of threatening to cut services or raise other fees.

Residents need police, fire and basic services; we don’t need politicians with personal agendas. It’s called accountability to taxpayers.

I would like to close this letter on a personal note. I have two retired brother-in-laws, who retired from NAFD, and a sister who retired from the NAPD. I know what they sacrificed for this city, and I know the politics that is being played here. Fear tactics don’t work with taxpayers. It’s common sense of needs versus wants. City police officers took the oath to protect residents. Elected officials also took an oath to do what is best for all residents.

We encourage Floyd County residents to contact County Council members and ask them to vote “No” on the LOIT tax on Tuesday.

Vicki Denhart is the president for Citizens for Accountability in Local Government in New Albany.

BEWARE OF REPAIR SCAMS

If a person claiming to be a city or utility worker comes to your door, DO NOT LET THEM IN!

They will claim to be performing repairs in your alley and need to come inside to talk to you. IT IS A HOAX! They are actually casing your home to see what they could steal (your valuables and your money).

If they are a legitimate city or utility worker,

1) they will be in uniform with the city's or company's logo on it
2) they will have a city or company identification badge with their picture on it
3) they will have a city or utility vehicle with a logo on it parked outside your home or in your alley. They will never be in an unmarked vehicle.
And,
4) if you yourself didn't specifically call for a repair, don't let anyone claiming to be a city or utility worker into your home

Three senior citizens (2 in Robertsdale and 1 in East Chicago) have had this scam pulled on them. Two were lucky; they were not hurt or robbed. The third was robbed of $500. Thankfully, she was not hurt.

If someone claiming to be a city or utility worker comes to your door and you don't recognize them, err on the side of caution and call 9-1-1. Do not under any circumstances let them in. The police would much rather have a false alarm than deal with an assault and robbery.

And most important, keep your doors locked at all times!

It is much better to be safe than sorry!

MORE GOOD NEWS FOR TAXPAYERS

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.

COUNTY COUNCIL ADOPTS BUDGET

In a historic move, the Lake County Council unanimously adopted a 2009 budget that was $15 million slimmer than the previous year's budget.

"This will be the first year I can recall we actually worked below the previous year's job (budget)," said Councilman Larry Blanchard who has served on the county council since 1994.
Councilman Blanchard said the county not only has a balanced budget but also a cushion which will eliminate the need for a county option income tax.

Since the early 1970's, county government spending increased every year; sometimes by as much as 5%. Not so, this year because the county's property tax collections were frozen by the state for failing to pass a county income tax. Lake County is now the only county in the state of Indiana without a county income tax.

Property owners will pay roughly 56 cents for every $100 of assessed value on their homes, farms, small businesses or industry. The county will take in a total of $125.8 million, which will be $6.1 million less than last year's tax draw.

The $15 million in budget cuts were achieved as follows:

1) Elimination of 112 county jobs
2) Hiring freeze
3) Incentives for early retirement
4) Consolidation of document printing & business machine purchases
5) Elimination of contributions to employees' individual retirement accounts
6) Assuming government user fees for electronic court paper filings & sheriff services

The 2009 budget will include 3% pay increases for 170 county police officers. Also, $1.5 million will be divided up among the county's 2,000 employees as one-time bonuses. The council members say these bonuses are justified because county employees have had their salaries frozen for the past two years. Also, with the 112 job eliminations, remaining employees will have to assume more work.

This budget is a win-win for the weary taxpayers of Lake County and is finally, a step in the right direction.

However, we are sure there is much more that could be done to reduce the waste in county government spending.

RECAP OF TEAM HAMMOND MEETING

George Janiec led off the November Team Hammond Taxpayers' meeting. He talked about the 2009 Hammond city budget and the efforts of the mayor to get substantial raises for the Fire Chief and Information Technology employee.

The budget was approved by the council, but the raises for both employees were not included. Council members felt it would be unfair because other city employees were only receiving 3% raises. The mayor threatened to veto the budget and would put the budget in peril of not meeting the December 1st deadline required by the DLGF.

George also covered claims submitted to the city council for payment. A claim for $939.75 from Pet Playground was submitted in October for aquarium maintenance, fish and other supplies for the mayor's salt-water aquarium. This money was to be paid from the mayor's gaming fund. Even though it is casino money, George stated this money belongs to the taxpayers and not just the mayor.

The other claim mentioned was submitted by Bose Public Affairs Group, an Indianapolis based lobbying group for $25,356.75. The city of Hammond pays Bose to wine and dine area legislators on matters pertaining to Hammond including taking State Reps. Mara Candelaria Reardon and Dan Stevenson as well as Mayor McDermott to White Sox and Cubs games. This claim was also to be paid for out of the mayor's gaming fund.

The county budget was also covered by George. The county council still needed to eliminate 2.8 million from the budget and were optimistic they could find ways to make the needed cuts. Despite assurances from Sheriff Dominguez he would make substantial cuts to his budget, very little was pared from his budget. The county council passed his budget by a vote of 6 to 1. The county council would be looking to other departments to make the final cuts.

The NIRPC planning forum is scheduled for Saturday, December 6th at the Radisson in Merrillville. If anyone is interested in attending this forum, they can call NIRPC or go online to their website to get an application.

Jim Premeske spoke next about tax abatements and TIFs. He explained what a tax abatement is and how it is applied; what a TIF is and how it is used, and the difference between a tax abatement and a TIF. Cabela's was used as a TIF example, and Jim Sheehan gave figures on the amount of property taxes Cabela's should pay and what they actually pay.

He also gave specific examples of several university studies that show TIFs are not good for economic development; and in fact, TIFs can do more harm to a community because local businesses (who pay taxes) are forced to close. Some states are even rethinking TIFS and eliminating them for retail development.

Elizabeth Kurella talked next about the Lincoln-Lake apartments in Robertsdale. A contractor for the demolition of the buildings has been chosen, and five new single family homes are to be built where the apartments once stood. Elizabeth questioned the cost of the project. Between the purchase price of the apartments and demolition, the project will be close to one million dollars before development even takes place. Several audience members came out in support of the project believing it will cut down on crime, but other members would rather see that money used towards putting more police out on the street as a deterrent to crime.

JoAnn Palko touched on the status of the Statue of Liberty project for Wolf Lake. The results of the engineering study concluded it was not feasible for the statue to be erected on Boy Scout island. The wind and exposure to ultraviolet light were the biggest determining factors in this study. For now, the statue is being stored in a city warehouse. There are several options for the statue. The top half could be put on display in the Welcome Center at the Borman Expressway, the statue could be used in summer parades, or the statue could be sent back to the original owner and designer in Griffith.

There will be no December meeting for Team Hammond. Meetings will resume in January.

Team Hammond would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

NO LADY LIBERTY FOR WOLF LAKE

To the relief of Robertsdale residents, Lady Liberty will not be calling Wolf Lake her home; weather conditions make the site unsuitable for the foam statue.

Don Corson of Indianapolis-based American Structurepoint, Inc. told the Redevelopment Commission last week the biggest factor was the wind followed by year-round exposure of ultraviolet light.

"The statue is truly a remarkable work of art," Corson said, "But it is just that - a work of art."

Corson said the high-tech coating is unsuitable for outdoor exposure. Also, the steel bars holding the 377 foam pieces together were not designed for engineering and would all need to be replaced.

"There are alot of technical challenges for outdoor display," Corson said. "To convert it into a permanent attraction would require a significant investment of resources." Or in other words, lots of moolah!

Marty Wielgos, Mayor McDermott's Chief of Staff, says the issue of putting the statue outside is not dead just on hold for the time being.

So for now, Lady Liberty waits in a city warehouse. The top 97 feet of her could go on display at the Indiana Welcome Center. There are also ideas for the statue to be displayed during the month of July and used in various summer parades. Or the statue can always be returned to the owner and creator, Frank Brummett of the Beryl Martin Co. if Brummett is not satisfied with the plans the City of Hammond has for the statue.

The bottom line is: the city wasted $30,000 of TIF money that could have been more wisely spent. Rather than spending $30,000 to have an engineering firm tell them it's not a good idea, the city could have asked Robertsdale residents or Wolf Lake windsurfers for their input. And it wouldn't have cost the city a dime!

TEAM HAMMOND GENERAL MEETING

The next Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group general meeting will be Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Avenue. Meet n' greet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the general meeting to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Items on the agenda will be city and county budgets, the DLGF ruling on the petition objection, and the feasibility study on the Statue of Liberty for Wolf Lake.

Everyone interested in good government and property tax reform is welcome to attend.