Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations

PUBLIC LETTER: July 28, 2003

Councilor Frick is Chairman of the City Council Economic Development Committee

Dear Neighborhood Leader:

Property taxes have dominated the news in recent weeks, and for good reason. Property taxes are levied by many authorities in districts that overlap each other. The method of assessing property has changed dramatically this year. State and local credits have changed as well. In general, tax rates went down this year, but tax bills went up. All of this makes property taxes difficult to understand. Yet my constituents are asking for an accounting and an explanation. As a neighborhood association leader, your friends and neighbors may be talking to you about the same subject.

In response, I have moved the upcoming meeting of the Economic Development Committee outside of the City-County Building and to a more convenient time. Jim Steele, former City Controller, will provide a detailed review of what happened between 2002 and 2003 to property taxes. We will show how this impacted different parts of the City. With an eye toward economic development, we will review tax rates between Marion County and other counties.

Then we will consider a proposal to establish the Marion County Tax Adjustment Board. This Board would have the authority to review budgets from all taxing authorities in the County, such as schools, townships, and included towns. The Board would have the power to reduce budgets and tax rates, if it is in the best interest of the taxpayers. Taxing authorities would have the opportunity to appeal to the State if they disagree with the Board.

The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. and be held at the Indianapolis Art Center. The public is encouraged to attend.

Best Regards,

Sean Frick
City-County Councillor
District 2