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.

****Taxes of all stripes have been put under the microscope as fallout from this year’s Property Tax Reassessment. It seems that in Marion County, tax bills rose an average of 17% due in large part to the fact that every taxing unit increased their take of tax dollars. An excellent presentation has been posted on line www.indygov.org/council. This easy to follow report gives us a snapshot of what additional property tax burden has been placed on the different areas of our County and a look at how the tax increases got so big. T he author, James Steele, Jr., is a former Indianapolis City Controller and a financial consultant to the Council. Mr. Steele presented this report at the July 30th meeting of the Economic Development committee of the City Council, chaired by Councilor Sean Frick.****The furor over I-69 continues to grow on Indy’s south side. The route being proposed by INDOT would travel down Perry Township on SR 37. Earlier this month, Mayor Peterson deferred to Governor O’Bannon and INDOT and voted to support this route choice. At the August 6th meeting of the Metropolitan Development Commission, McANA and the Hoosier Environmental Council spoke in opposition to this route and its inclusion in the long range transportation plan for the Indianapolis Region. Also against I-69 were all of the elected officials from Perry Township. Dr. Philip Borst, President of the City Council could not attend, but sent his opinions in a letter to the MDC. He summarized by saying: ‘I-69 does not need Perry Township. Perry Township does not need I-69’. Speaking in person were: Nanette Tungent (Mayor of Southport), Katherine Price (Perry Township Assessor), State Representative David Frizzell, and David Miller (Township Attorney) who spoke on behalf of Trustee Jack Sandlin and Board President Evelyn Sayers. Speakers against also included Councilor Bob Cockrum (who is running in the new district 22 that includes SR 37), and Marion County Treasurer Greg Jordan (Republican candidate for Mayor of Indianapolis). Mr. Jordan spoke of the need for elected and appointed officials to recognize that people are tired of being taxed and of public officials who are doing things without really representing the public. He said all officials needed to be responsible and responsive stewards of the public’s funds. The Commission vote was tied 4-4 and they will re-hear the issue at their August 20th meeting.****