Indianapolis Etc. Etc. Etc.

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The opinions expressed in these articles and features are those of their author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of McANA or the opinion of its Directors or Officers.

The City County Council is knee-deep in the budget process. Public Safety has taken center stage. Mayor Peterson appeared before the august body on August 5th to present his budget. He has tabled the plan to expand the IPD taxing district, and has filed a budget that will fulfill his promise of 200 more policemen without raising taxes. Click on www.indygov.org/mayor/press/2002/august/budget_pres.htm to read his comments. The same night, Martha Womacks, the County Auditor, presented her budget. She has a plan to fund the arrestee processing center, more jail beds and the delinquent payments to the State for the incarceration of juvenile delinquents by floating bonds and by reaching for a bigger share of the County Option Income Tax revenues. Channel 16 will be replaying the tape of the meeting for a while. To get their latest schedule try www.indygov.org/cable This will be an interesting and pivotal 6-week Tango……….The Marion County Health Department continues to document cases of mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus. 11 sites have tested positive since July 19th. To date, no human cases have been confirmed in Marion County and they stress that the chances of contracting the disease are slim. They remind residents to be proactive and dump any standing water around homes (such as might collect in old tires or planter boxes), wear long sleeves and long pants after dusk, and use DEET-containing insect repellants……….And, not for the last time, we remind you that friends don’t let friends own property without a Homestead Credit. Anyone who has refinanced or had a deed change will have to re-file. With the impending Reassessment and the tax changes enacted by the State Legislature, the Homestead Credit and Deduction will be a source of significant property tax reduction. To be sure you have it, consult your property tax bill or contact your Township Assessor. Your Assessor can help you sign up for it if you do not have it. Or, you can go to the County Auditor’s website to see if you qualify for any of 9 deductions and apply for them on line.