The Indiana Department of Local Government Finance has denied the property tax levy increase sought by Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. The City Council voted 7- 2 to approve the tax levy increase. City Council members Mitch Harper and Tom Smith were the only council members voting "no" to the tax levy increase.
From the DLGF release:
For Immediate Release
Friday, February 22, 2008
DLGF denies Fort Wayne request to increase levy
INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 22, 2008) – The Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) today denied the request from the City of Fort Wayne to increase the city’s levy, which had been passed in September.
"This request to increase property tax spending is unprecedented,” DLGF Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave said. “It appears to be a double-cross on taxpayers, who, for months, have been promised a tax cut,” “State law requires budget adoption by Sept. 30, and as such, we are denying the request."
Mitch,
Kudos to you and Tom Smith for fighting the good fight this issue. Your concerns were quite valid and thus affirmed by the DLGF.
Dave
Posted by: Dave MacDonald | February 22, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Thought State Government role was rule... not editorialize.
Truth be told, during the past campaign I said the reduction was a bad decision by council, considering all the unfunded liabilities facing the city.
Posted by: Ron Buskirk | February 22, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Mitch.
Thanks for the info and the vote. Not a surprising result from the DLGF given the political climate. I continue to appreciate your efforts and those of Tom Smith. Disappointing outing for the other Republicans on Council.
If there is a distinct difference between Conservatives, Moderates, and Democrats, it is evident in this City Council vote. On this vote, only Conservatives distinguished themselves.
Posted by: Fred Rost | February 22, 2008 at 08:26 PM
Mitch - You predicted this decision from the start; thanks for trying to hold the line. Note that even Musgrave has this wrong -- it was never about a tax cut, only keeping the levy the same as prior year.
Posted by: Tim Zumbaugh | February 22, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Thanks for the vote, Mitch.
Posted by: Roger McNeill | February 23, 2008 at 08:07 AM
Unfunded civil liabilities? Might those include the raises given out to the same mayor (and others) who threatened that a denial of the levy would force the reduction of public protection services such as police and fire personnel?
It's interesting to me that at the first hint of losing tax money, our elected officials use scare tactics to make the public think there will be fewer police and firefighters on the street - while on the way to cashing their inflated paychecks. Why wasn't the first thought to repeal the unnecessary raises for a year until they could make up for the shortfall? Easy answer there.
Here's another thought, how about we do a little homework before continuing to give tax abatements to companies that come into town for a year then leave us with huge debts in the wake of their bankruptcies?
Thank goodness the DLGF stood up and forced Fort Wayne's local government to follow the rules and not further burden its taxpayers for its oversights ... at least until the next budget is passed.
Posted by: Chad Ryan | February 23, 2008 at 05:39 PM