10/13/2005
Media Contact:
Steve Campbell, [317] 327-3622 |
 |
City officials to argue against State-mandated property tax increase at state hearing
INDIANAPOLIS - City officials will attend a hearing of the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance tomorrow where the state government office responsible for children’s services will request a property tax increase on Marion County.
The Indiana Department of Child Services provides State-sanctioned children’s services in Marion County. It controls its budget, awards all outside contracts, decides employee salaries and is responsible for all services provided.
The State charges Marion County for all its expenses, yet gives the local officials responsible for paying the tab no input into how the budget is put together or spent.
This year, the State office overspent its 2005 budget and requested a $15.6 million loan for the rest of the year. For 2006, the State asked for a 50 percent budget increase over its approved budget last year, and nearly triple what it was 10 years ago.
Under a new state law passed earlier this year, the State can order Marion County to pay the State by cutting its budget or borrowing money. This is in place of the State raising the money at the state level.
Cutting the budget would result in cuts to public safety and criminal justice agencies, such as the Sheriff’s Department, the Prosecutor’s office, and the County Courts. Requiring Marion County to borrow money would cause a property tax increase.
"These State services are very important, and we believe in its mission," said City Controller Robert Clifford. "But a system that requires local officials to raise taxes when they have no say in the budget is unfair. The agency that wants the taxpayers’ money should be held accountable for it."
The mandate would come at the same time the city has tightened its belt and cut services in 2005 and 2006 by $28 million and cut 189 positions through attrition. Both increases would wipe out those cuts.
"In Marion County, we left no stone unturned and squeezed every possible efficiency out of the taxpayers’ money," Clifford said. "That’s what happens when the people spending the money also are accountable for it."
WHEN: Tomorrow - Friday, October 14, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Indiana Government Center North, Rm. 1045
|
