The Tax Man Taketh From You:
Property Owner, Renter, Shopper
By
Kokomo Property Owners – Unite!
If you own property in Howard County, Indiana, you know what has happened with your property taxes! Up, up and away!
If you rent in Kokomo or any place in Howard County, you may not pay much attention to property taxes – but if your montly rent has increased lately, chances are the increase is due to higher property taxes.
Last Spring when we received our property tax bills, most of us saw a pretty substantial increase in our taxes. Community members (builders, property owners, realtors, local government officials, etc.) made a trip to the state capital to voice our concerns to the governor and others at the state level.
What happened?
Nothing, nil, zilch!
My thoughts at the time were, “Just wait until Marion County tax bills arrive in the mail!” Sure enough, Marion County bills went out and the proverbial “you know what” hit the fan!
There was immediate action! I don’t understand everything that happened, but I do know the majority of property owners can expect a rebate on taxes paid this year. We had to go ahead and pay the bills we received and sometime after the first of the year we are supposed to get a refund for over-payment.
The citizens of the great state of Indiana have been heard – big time! Many incumbents were voted out of office in November! Even before the election the State was looking at alternatives to reduce or even eliminate property taxes; but, I can almost guarantee the results of the November election will change “looking” into “doing” something!
Many advocacy groups have formed around the state – groups of concerned citizens. One such group is our local Citizens United for Tax Relief (CUTR). CUTR has been instrumental in voicing the concerns of all local residents and getting Governor Daniels to commit to a public question and answer session in Kokomo on January 31.
My understanding of this meeting is that questions for Governor Daniels must be submitted in writing prior to the meeting. If you would like to submit questions for the Governor, you can email them to the Kokomo Perspective or go to the Citizens United for Tax Relief website and post a comment. Alternatively, you can submit your questions to me and I will make sure they are forward for consideration.
Even if you are not a property owner, this is an issue that will impact all of us one way or another! Whether the money to run the government and provide services (schools, trash pick-up, snow removal, police and fire protection, etc.) come in the form of property taxes, sales tax or some other means, we will pay!
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