DLGF TO OFFER LIVE STREAMING VIDEO OF TAX CONTROL BOARD MEETINGS

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 20, 2008) – The Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) today announced live streaming video will be available in 2008 for the meetings of Indiana’s two Property Tax Control Boards.

“By providing this service, the DLGF is striving for better accessibility of meetings to the public and greater accountability of local officials,” Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave said. “Access to public meetings should not be limited to those able to attend during working hours or to travel to Indianapolis.”

Links to the live streaming will be available from the Department’s Web site at www.in.gov/dlgf/boards/ and will first be available during the Feb. 21 meeting of the School Property Tax Control Board (agenda attached). Additionally, a video of the meeting will be available on the Web site within 24 hours of the meeting adjournment.

The School Property Tax Control Board and the Local Government Property Tax Control Board meet each month (except January) to review construction plans and listen to local officials who seek approval for construction projects. After thorough review, the Boards – comprised of experts in the fields of business, engineering, architecture and education – make recommendations to the Commissioner of the Department to approve, disapprove or modify projects.

Once she receives the recommendations, the Commissioner is the approval authority for the projects. Each request is considered on a case-by-case basis using information related to local opposition and support, property tax impact and the needs of the local community.

This tool is the latest in several additions made to the DLGF’s Web site, making property tax information more readily available and transparent to Hoosier taxpayers.

Last month, the DLGF launched an online toolkit for citizens who want to object to new construction projects. The Citizen’s Petition and Remonstrance Toolkit is available online to assist Hoosiers in understanding the complicated objection process required by law. In December, the DLGF began videotaping the Tax Control Board meetings and making the video available on its Web site.

“Videotaping the meetings and making them available on the Web site was the first step in increasing accessibility for Hoosiers,” Musgrave said. “We have now taken the next step by giving real-time access to taxpayers across the state.

In fall 2007, the DLGF launched its first searchable databases, which provide sales disclosure and assessment information on properties statewide. The tools can assist taxpayers in the assessment appeal process and enable Hoosiers to search for other properties in the area defined as a neighborhood by their assessor. The DLGF also prepared county summaries to provide taxpayers with information about property taxes and budgets of governmental units in their area.

The search tools and information are available from the DLGF's home page at www.dlgf.in.gov.

From Hoosiers for Fair Taxation
Wednesday, February 20, 2008

THUMBS DOWN ON A NEW HIGH SCHOOL

How much more bond debt does the School City of Hammond have to accumulate before they realize they have the taxpayers in over their heads? When all the homes are boarded up because people have either lost them to foreclosure or just abandoned them?

The School City has built five new elementary schools in the past five years--O'Bannon, Jefferson, Irving, Harding and Joseph Hess. In addition, Clark, Morton Elementary, Morton High and Edison either had extensive remodeling or additions built.

As of December 31, 2005, the School City's outstanding principal and interest debt was $382 million, and this doesn't even include the costs of the new Harding and Joseph Hess schools. Who knows how much the debt is as of February 2008?

With this much debt, can the taxpayers of Hammond really afford a new high school?

Apparently, the Superintendent and the school board think we can because they are willing to spend another $100 million to build this new high school. And you know it will cost that and even more because of cost overruns and miscalculations in construction costs. Nothing ever costs what the original bid price was.

Are Superintendent Watkins and the School Board also not aware of Governor Daniels' plan to standardize school building plans to hold down construction costs? Are they also not aware of the amendment to House Bill 1001 to give citizens the right to a referendum on major building projects. Do they think these laws would apply to everybody else and not them? We hope they're not trying to pull a fast one!

And we're not saying the students of Hammond should not be properly educated in order to compete in the 21st century. Far from it. But a new building does not an education make. If that argument was true, then there would be no learning going on inside the University of Chicago Lab School. Despite the shabby condition of the building, many successful students graduate from there. Could it be because the emphasis is on the students' education and not the building. Could it also be because they demand success and not excuses for failure.

If the School City was really fiscally responsible, they would pay off their bond debt before they even entertain the idea of building a new high school because frankly, we taxpayers are tapped out.

Guess we better get out those remonstrance petitions. We're gonna need them and soon.

COPS, FIRE ARE THE 'RIGHT PRIORITIES'

I was talking shop a couple weeks ago with an East Chicago police officer and we agreed as a result of a proposed property tax cap, there will be threats by politicians to cut public safety.

As it turns out, we were psychics.

"Our response time will worsen and there will be deaths," Hammond Fire Chief (and former Democratic city chairman) Dave Hamm said on a Feb. 11 trip to Indianapolis to protest Gov. Mitch Daniels' plan to cap property taxes and raise the sales tax. "Do not take that as a threat. It's just a matter of fact. It's going to happen.

"Cut my budget and people will die! Their blood will be on your hands, Mitch!

Bull-loney. You will accept that only if you accept that a mayor will make his deepest cuts at the public safety level.

If the city is in trouble, why did Hamm's salary jump $15,000 in January? Why did Police Chief Brian Miller's jump the same amount? I know most companies facing a shortfall don't increase salaries -- even for executives -- by 24 percent.

If the city is in trouble, why is Mayor Tom McDermott Jr. talking as recently as late January about a new city hall downtown? You don't propose multi-million dollar capital projects out of one side of your mouth and talk about gutting your police and fire departments out of the other.

If the city is in trouble, why was City Attorney Kris Kantar paid more than $10,000 in the first two weeks of the year? And why were five lawyers working on litigation over the closure of the health department, including McDermott's campaign manager, Kevin Smith?

Smith discounts his fee for the city, but he doesn't have to worry about his client paying.

If the city is in trouble, why is there a $250,000 legal aid clinic funded by McDermott with casino money? Because it's been staffed by lawyers like Lisa Berdine and Kris Costa-Sakelaris, both of whom are related to former city council members?

If the city is in trouble, why are some council members fighting McDermott's decision to close the city's health department and allow the county to take over the $648,000 responsibility? When the household income shrinks, you eat more meat loaf and less steak.

It's also disingenuous to neglect to mention Hammond, while losing property tax money, will be getting a big chunk of that back in the form of the increase in sales tax.Hammond doesn't need to cut cops and firefighters. It needs the right priorities.

Now where have I heard that before?

The opinions are solely those of Mark Kiesling. He can be reached at http://us.f834.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=markk@nwitimes.com or (219) 933-4170.

From The Times
Sunday, February 17, 2008

WOW! IF WE DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER, WE'D THINK THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT HAMMOND!

THE OTHER SIDE

Welcome to the real story of New Albany. Sit back and get a large cup of coffee. You're in for a rude awakening about property taxes and city funds.

First of all, allow us to introduce ourselves. We, like you, call New Albany our home. We live, work and raise our families here. We pay high sewer bills and high property taxes and we have a VOICE...

In fact, the last couple of months we've been burning the roads up from New Albany to Indianapolis fighting for you and what we believe in and that is Fair Property Taxes.

Yes, we do Support Abolishing Property Taxes. But, it looks like to us property owners this plan will not fly yet. So if our legislators and Governor Daniels cap our property taxes at 1% that is at least a start for Property Tax Reform.

We have been meeting with other citizens activists all over the 92 counties of our State.

They are now hearing the same CRAP which we recently read in the local C/J dated Wednesday Feb. 13, 2008.

AND WE QUOTE: The tax plan would reduce the city's property tax revenue by an estimated $377,000 next year and about $353,000 in 2010. That's about 1.4 percent of the city's total budget, including revenue it collects to PAY DEBTS.

"I can't make it" without major cuts, Mayor England said today, "It will be a firehouse or six police officers - no ifs, ands or buts about it."

First of all, that sounds like a THREAT Mayor England.

Second, if you are not up to the task as mayor why not step down and let someone else do what needs to be done for us citizens of New Albany! We live within a budget, why can't you?

Thirdly, we property taxpayers have been hearing this THREAT for the last 16 years by 2 other mayors. If you think Mayor England that you are going to "bully us" into giving in to your other "feel good projects" you are sadly mistaken this time.

THIS IS NOT 1991, IT'S THE 21ST CENTURY!

Let's look at what you SAY and what YOU HAVE DONE in the first 30 days of your new adminstration:

* YOU HAVE hired two Deputy Mayors
* YOU HAVE hired an asst. for one Deputy Mayor
* YOU HAVE pushed for employee raises
* YOU HAVE received a $11,000 raise
* YOU HAVE a 2nd Code Enforcement Officer
* YOU WANT 4 part-time attorneys beside our city attorney ____________________________________________

= TAXPAYERS DOLLARS

Property taxes in Indiana are administered at the local level with oversight by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance. DLGF states that more than 99 percent of the revenue generated by our property taxes remain in our community.

Source: Gail Snyder DLGF ------

Freedom Of Speech also received the following e-mail dated: January 11, 2008

Dear Taxpayers of New Albany,

Last year, increases in property taxes around the state spurred a call-to-action at all levels of government to ensure a fair and equitable property tax system for all Hoosier taxpayers.

Property taxes are the primary source of funding for local governments.

Thus, increases - or decreases - in property taxes are a result of "total local spending and fiscal management." The Citizen's Petition and Romonstrance is also part of that effort so taxpayers can ensure their voices are heard.

The DLGF is continully working to assist taxpayers in understanding local government taxation and holding local units of government accountable for responsible spending.

Sincerely,

Cheryl A.W. Musgrave
Commissioner
------

Freedom of Speech would like to say:

Same old scare tactics, we will have to cut back essential services. As usual we see no mention of cuts that involve administrative assistants, billing clerks, engineers, attorneys , consultants or any number of other "essential" personal. Also, no mention of anyone having to give up a take home car, cell phones, perks or why not freeze spending.

Just the tip of the iceberg, but the only cuts our mayor can find are police and fire.

Mayor England...Where have you been? The New Albany Taxpayers have been crying for RELIEF from the high property tax bills. Do you not intend to listen to the Voices of the Taxpayers?

You're driving around town in a $50,000 automobile that the taxpayers are paying for.

Your Deputy Mayors are driving around in city own cars.

Is it true that our city has provided former Mayor Garner a city owned vehicle in his new sewer position?

You as Mayor are only trying to protect your projects, instead of "tightening your spending" to provide relief to property taxpayers.

What do we property taxpayers do with our budgets when our car breaks down, or our kids get sick and when we have large gas or electric bills this winter? We either cut back, go and get another job or work overtime!

But this City, they give raises, don't follow Indiana statutes, and continue to appropriate more money. They stack the boards and play political favorites to get what they want.

Then they threaten to cut services. Why cut services when the City of New Albany taxpayers aren't getting what we paid for anyway?

The burden is always put on the backs of the property owners!

Now Mayor England's answer to all of this is:

Five to six officers could lose their jobs or a fire station might be shut down. "Show me the fat and I'll cut it off. We're at bare bones now."

Our reply Mayor England to you is "Bulls**t." Cut your payroll, lay five to six officers off and stop threatening us property taxpayers!

Freedom Of Speech does not have all the answers, but, we sure know when we are not being given the whole truth!

From Freedom of Speech
Saturday, February 16, 2008

MAYORS AND BUDGETS

There has been a great deal of talk concerning upcoming budget shortfalls. Mayors from different cities mention that their local governments will lose millions of dollars and as a result will have to cut services.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. has said there is no way his city can shed $21 million overnight without affecting police and fire protection.

As a homeowner in Hammond, I am deeply concerned. What will happen to the police and fire protection? Will we have enough police and firemen?

I took my car and headed to Hammond City Hall where I picked up a copy of the city budget. The budget has eight sections and there is a bunch of numbers. So I started at the beginning. There is a budget estimate page with fund names, such as a General Fund, Debt Service Fund, Fire Pension, Police Pension, and so on. Each of these funds included a dollar amount. The total dollar amount for the budget is $109,988,393.00 for the 2008 budget. That sure is a lot of money; I had to double check the amount so I added all those numbers. When I totaled the numbers I was shocked to find that the real amount is $110,184,213.00. I added those numbers again, and again, I arrived at $110,184,213.00. The budget didn’t add up.

I started to get more curious about this budget. I looked at every page and as I went through the budget, questions started to pop up. Where are the take-home cars? I know there are over 90 take-home cars, but they aren’t in the budget. What about gas for vehicles; that isn’t in the budget. The self-insurance fund is not listed in the budget. The Mayor has a photographer, and the Mayor has a television show. Where are all these items? In fact, I counted 25 city departments and funds that were not included in the budget. Again, the budget didn’t add up.

Now the question is, how are these departments funded, and what are the true costs?
I turned to the State Board of Accounts, and they sent me a financial report for the City of Hammond. It is called the Annual City and Town Financial Report. The report that I received is for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2006.

There are 13 parts to this Financial Report. I turned to Part 1-Statement of Receipts, Disbursements, Cash Balances & Investment Balances. I discovered the City of Hammond had receipts of $195,443,208.70 for the year ending 2006.

The budget for 2008 shows a budget total of $109,988,393.00, but Hammond has receipts over $195,443,208.70. This is a difference of 85 million dollars. The budget again didn’t add up.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. has said there’s no way his city can shed $21 million overnight without affecting police and fire protection.

Where did the Mayor of Hammond get the money for the following items?
1) $13,000,000 for a clubhouse for Lost Marsh Golf Course
2) Lost Marsh Golf Course. The cost to operate the golf course is close to $2 million a year.
3) $55,000 for the Mayor’s photographer
4) $900,000 commission for the Mayor’s father in the Cabela’s store deal
5) $100,000 to Purdue University for an endowment for the Mayor’s father
6) $1,500 for health care per employee per month for City Departments
7) $432,192 for Festival of the Lakes
8) $250,000 for a legal aid clinic
9) $65,000 for campaign workers
10) $10,000,000 in raises since the 2005 budget. In fact, some employees received $15,000 raises this year (Police Chief & Fire Chief).
11) The Mayor’s salary is $95,000 per year. The Governor’s salary is also $95,000.
12) There are a total of 9 Pages of Financial Assistance to Nongovernmental Entities as listed in the Annual City and Town Financial Report of 2006. Here are some items from that list:
a) $50,500 Hammond YMCA
b) $60,000 Running Rebels
c) $70,000 Parents as Teachers of Hammond
d) $350,000 St. Margaret Mercy
e) $20,000 The Laura Austin Passmore Guild
f) $40,300 Towle Community Theatre
g) $50,000 United Neighborhood Inc.


Can Hammond shed $21 million dollars from their budget and save the Police and Fire departments?

What do you think?

SCARE TACTICS

Our local elected officials must be working overtime trying to convince the citizens that property tax reform is bad for us. They would have you believe with their scare tactics that we will have no fire or police protection, and people will die! Let's put a guilt trip on the homeowners for wanting to keep their homes!

If Mayor McDermott is so worried about this 1% cap and the loss of millions of dollars, why is he talking about building a new city hall? Or for that matter, what about the $13 million revenue bond the Port Authority floated to build a new banquet hall at Lost Marsh Golf Course? If the city is in such bad financial shape, why don't we just sell the golf course to a private interest and be done with it? It's never made money in all the years it's been open anyway.

And if Fire Chief Hamm is so worried about having to cut firefighters, why doesn't he give back the $15,000 raise he just received as a show of good faith?

It's time the good people of Hammond started asking why it is the Civil City takes in over $52 million in casino revenue annually, yet the city is in debt to the tune of at least $110 million. The city should not be broke! We should be in the black. Where has all that money gone to?

The way to reduce property taxes in Hammond is by selling the golf course (the city should not be in the golf course business anyway), nix the banquet hall and new city hall, cut out all excessive spending (mayor's photographer at a salary of $55,000 a year), and have the mayor take his share of the annual casino revenue and pay off all the city's debt.

The city can and should live within its means. Essential services don't have to be cut. Our elected officials are trying to take the heat off them by laying the guilt trip on us!

COUNCIL VOTES TO FUND HEALTH DEPARTMENT

At Monday night's Hammond City Council meeting, a majority of the city council voted to fund the Hammond Health Department with casino gaming money. Voting in favor of this funding was Councilman Homero "Chico" Hinojosa, Councilwoman Kim Poland, Councilman Anthony Higgs, Councilman Robert Markovich and Councilwoman Joann Matanovich. Voting against the funding were Councilman Dan Repay, Councilman Mark Kalwinski, and Councilwoman Kathy Pucalik. Councilman Al Salinas was absent from Monday night's council meeting and did not vote.

However, Mayor McDermott has said he will veto any measure to keep the health department under local control. It would take six votes from the city council to override the mayor's veto.

Councilman Hinojosa had approached the mayor about keeping the city's health department intact until the whole issue could be resolved because the county does not have a clearcut plan on
taking over the city's health department.

At the present time, the Lake County Health Department is offering limited services to Hammond residents. Susan Best, Lake County Health Commissioner, has made it known that Hammond will not receive any additional services. Councilman Hinojosa has said he will continue the fight to keep the city's health department because it provides services the county will not. Currently, there are 190 children in Hammond that are not attending school because they are not inoculated.