Executive Order No. 2, 2003

CONSOLIDATED CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS
AND COUNTY OF MARION,
STATE OF INDIANA

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2, 2003

ESTABLISHMENT OF INDIANAPOLIS FISCAL POLICY COUNCIL

WHEREAS, there are currently at least forty-five (45) elected and appointed governmental entities that are located solely or partly in Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana, with the power to levy property taxes (hereinafter "Taxing Units"); and

WHEREAS, these Taxing Units have demonstrated inadequate communication among each other and with the public concerning the cumulative effect of their aggregate property tax levies on taxpayers in Indianapolis and Marion County; and

WHEREAS, there is currently no single, local entity from which taxpayers can obtain comprehensive information concerning the budgets and tax levies of these Taxing Units; and

WHEREAS, many taxpayers in Indianapolis and Marion County have seen increases in their tax bills for property taxes due and payable in 2003; and

WHEREAS, the State Legislative Services Agency has determined that the general reassessment alone caused the tax bills of at least 24,000 homes to increase by 100% or more; and

WHEREAS, nonetheless the number of Taxing Units and the lack of coordination among them has caused confusion, consternation and frustration among some members of the public regarding the impact of local tax levies; and

WHEREAS, taxpayers should be able to obtain information concerning the cumulative impact of the budgets and property tax levies throughout Indianapolis and Marion County from a single, central location; and,

WHEREAS, the Taxing Units should assemble to discuss their planned spending and its likely cumulative impact on taxpayers, to facilitate conscious, integrated financial planning and provide for more tax accountability;

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Indianapolis, Indiana, and as successor-in-interest to the Board of Commissioners of Marion County, Indiana, it is hereby ordered as follows:

1. The Indianapolis Fiscal Policy Council (hereinafter "Council") hereby is established.
2. The Mayor shall appoint one member of the Council, who shall serves as Chairperson. Two representatives of the City-County Council – one member chosen by the Council Majority Leader and one member chosen by the Council Minority Leader – hereby are invited to participate in the Council. One representative of each other Taxing Unit (to be selected by the Unit's fiscal body) hereby is invited to participate in the Council. The Mayor also may invite business leaders and taxpayers, as appropriate, to participate in the Council. Members shall serve without compensation.
3. The Council shall meet at least once each year to discuss the Taxing Units' budget development and to discuss any other planning that affects taxation.  The Council may meet at such other times as the Mayor requests, or as may be determined by the chairperson. Members shall appear in person at the meetings, and nine (9) members shall constitute a quorum. To pass a motion or determination, nine (9) members of the Council must vote in favor thereof.
4. The Indianapolis City Controller shall serve as executive director of the Council and shall provide the staff functions, supplies, and meeting places for the Council, as requested by the chairperson.
5. The Council shall have two (2) principal powers and responsibilities.
   1. Each year during the time when Taxing Units are in the process of formulating their budgets, tax rates and levies, the Council shall compile a report that includes the information on all the Taxing Units' budgets, tax rates and levies, and that shows their cumulative effect. This report shall be disseminated to all Taxing Units and to the public at the earliest possible time, and prior to the time all or most of the Taxing Units' fiscal bodies vote on such budgets, tax rates and levies. The report may also be provided to the news media, disseminated over the internet, and considered at a televised public meeting. The goal of this report is to permit each Taxing Unit to understand the other Units' budgets, tax rates and levies, and to inform the public about each Unit's plans.
   2. Each year immediately following the passage of the budgets, tax rates and levies by the Taxing Units, the Council shall compile a second report that includes the final budgets, tax rates and levies. This second report will show whether each Taxing Unit is accountable for a tax increase or a tax decrease. The Council shall disseminate this report to all Taxing Units, the public, and the news media in the same manner as the first report may be disseminated. The goal of this report is to catalog budget and tax information for public inspection, and to provide accountability for Units' budgets and levies.
6. The City will make all Council reports available on the City website. The website also will include comprehensive information about the approval for each Taxing Unit's budget, tax rate and levy (including, where possible, the time and location of approval hearings).
7. The Council shall endeavor to receive and review from the business leader- and taxpayer- members information and suggestions regarding budgeting, tax planning, and economic development.
8. This Executive Order is issued with the expectation that in the course of the Council's operation, the discussions among the Taxing Units' representatives will result in the sharing of information about important budget and revenue issues – e.g., capital improvements, operational increases, and revenue shortfalls – and that the Taxing Units will better be able to coordinate any necessary tax increases.
9. The Council shall also have such other powers and responsibilities with respect to the Taxing Units' budgets, tax rates and levies as the Mayor may from time to time direct.
10. This Executive Order shall become effective immediately.

DATED this _____ day of August, 2003.

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