Hoosier property owners are being pinched. Property tax bills are out and they are high. Thousands of Hoosiers are looking at their bottom lines and shaking their heads. Many don't know how they will cope with this economic blow. In some cases, property taxes were more than doubled, leaving home owners wondering how they are going to meet this debt.
There are the fortunate few who will be able to pay their taxes without sacrificing elsewhere but for many, if not most, the burden is large, and paying will cost them in a big way. The elderly are especially hard-hit - even when their mortgages are paid - because they live on fixed incomes, often times just Social Security.
We all know property taxes are important as they pay for many of the services we must have including schools, city services, library services and welfare. Not everyone agrees on the distribution of property tax funds but we all know that some form of taxation is necessary to keep our cities running smoothly. What many of us don't understand are the assessments made on our properties determining our individual costs. Supposedly, the system was improved two years ago but we aren't seeing the results promised in our bottom lines.
Governor Daniels is well aware of the frustration and anger the tax hikes have created among our fellow citizens. The governor has promised to help find solutions to assist Hoosier families facing an inability to pay their tax bills. This help may not come in the form of lower taxes but rather allowing extra time to pay. Another possible solution the governor is considering is an installment payment plan.
While these possible solutions may provide some level of relief, the true issue is fairness. Are these assessments on our properties fair and legitimate? Why are such hikes necessary? The question must be asked: Is the government choosing higher taxation over fiscal responsibility? By that I mean could we find another way to meet these responsibilities without over-burdening our already stretched homeowners?
We as taxpayers deserve to know what other solutions might be considered to solve this problem. We deserved to know that before our tax bills doubled that cost-cutting measures were considered that would have enabled our local government to meet its obligations without hurting the people so much.
When Ball State University's tuition went up approximately 5 percent this year, I asked whether or not Ball State students could be shown in black and white why it was costing that much more to run the university. What are we getting in return for our money?
I think the people that collect and distribute our property taxes should be asked the same question. What are we getting in return for our money? If my taxes were doubled, am I getting twice what I used to get as far as city services are concerned? Show me why it is costing so much more to run this city, then at least I could feel like my money is being well-spent.
In November 2008 we will elect a governor, mayor and many other public officials. Is it at that time that we will look back at this time and think how we were treated as taxpayers. We will look at the way our money was spent and we will decide at that time whether we want more of the same or if changes are in order. I believe the governor is sincerely concerned about this issue and will do something to help Hoosier families through this difficult time.
All we can do is let our concerns be heard and hope relief is on the way.
Write to Alex at apcarroll@bsu.edu
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