Referendum #1: One office for assessments per county

In The State of Indiana there are 92 counties. Those counties have multiple townships, from 6 to 12, and each and every township has a little government of it's own. Some have suggested that this is a great thing because these little township governments are closer to the people, for the delivery of poor relief and fire protection often associated with township level government.

Ok, we'll allow that's possible. But we've also seen that these little townships need some accountability on budgets, and having the county council review their budgets is a step in the right direction.

One additional thing though that has fallen to the townships is the assessment of property values for taxation. Now, let me say it her first, eliminating all property taxation in favor of sales taxes would be the most preferable. But, while we have any property taxation there is a need to place values on these properties for taxes. This has fallen to a township assessor, and therein problems ensued.

Each assessor, although supposed to assess according to state law, was able to subjectively apply some different standards. This became a major mess, with the Supreme Court eventually setting aside the whole process and demanding a "market" based valuation model be implemented.

Ok, onward to Referendum #1 on the ballot this election. While HEA 1001 in early 2008 eliminated most township assessors, it stopped short of total reform by keeping the larger township assessors. This referendum eliminates these last assessors, and puts all the responsibility on the county elected assessor. One stop assessing, one person with the responsibility to follow the law to the letter.

Here in NW Indiana, the Lake County assessor is against the referendum, and the Porter County asssessor is for it.

For more information: Stop Governing Like This