Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n15)
Tammy's Take - By Tammy Leiber
posted: Jul. 27, 2007
As of deadline time, positive and important first steps had been taken to alleviate the short- and long-term pain of the property tax situation. Governor Mitch Daniels ordered a reassessment of Marion County property, and created a panel to examine longer-term solutions. The Marion County treasurer extended the payment deadline to August 10, 2007.
People spoke and the government listened.
Of course, none of the steps taken so far ensure that our property tax bills will go down, so don't let up. Keep pressuring people and they'll respond.
An odd side effect of the property tax mess is the sense of community and neighborhood pride that's been in abundant display since bills hit mailboxes. It's one of those topics that everyone can talk about and does. Not only are people griping about their bills, they're engaging in thoughtful, intelligent discourse on the topic.
It's led me to have some odd conversations with a friend who lives in Fishers and is struggling to grasp the magnitude of the situation here south of the county line. Such as:
Me: "How did your neighborhood meeting go?"
Her: "OK. The big topic was the lifeguards at the pool not checking pool tags and sitting in the porch area when they're on duty. How was yours?"
Me: "The parking lot was full. We had to hold it in the church sanctuary instead of the basement because it was so crowded, and two representatives from the Mayor's Office showed up."
That meeting-the regular July board meeting of the Meridian-Kessler Neighborhood Association-was notable not just for the crowd who showed up, but for the overall spirit of finding solutions rather than just complaining about the problem.
As the meeting kicked off, I half-jokingly asked Kevin Sifferlen, the Mayor's Administrator for Neighborhood Services, if he was receiving combat pay for the evening. But the crowd of close to 150 people listened politely as Deputy Mayor Steve Campbell explained the Mayor's plan for relief and asked constructive questions. There were a couple of outbursts, sure, but for a room full of mad-as-hell people, it didn't get nearly as ugly as it could have.
Maybe it was the church setting. I was even more delighted when most people stuck around to hear a talk that should have been labeled "Indiana's Property Tax System 401." There was talk of obscure government agencies and calculation ratios, and people were genuinely interested.
The whole situation is a political/government junkie's dream, which reminds me of another recent conversation with my Hamilton County friend.
Her: "What did you do last night?"
Me: "I discussed the micro- and macro-economic implications of alternate tax strategies over some beers at the Red Key."
Her: Silence.
Me: "Um, it was more fun than it sounds."
She might want to pay attention, though. Among the many potentially viable tax methods I've heard discussed (at the Red Key and elsewhere) is a commuter tax for people like her who benefit from our police force, our firefighters and our infrastructure every day they come to work, but who don't pay for it.
Other issues bandied about include some relation between property taxes and the price paid for a home, to ensure that people aren't suddenly unable to afford a home they've been in for years. Another idea would automatically freeze property taxes when homeowners turn 65.
Some people think property taxes should be eliminated entirely in favor of taxes that are calculated objectively-like sales and income taxes. Another idea would increase sales and/or income taxes, but leave school corporations funded by property taxes, leaving schools under the greatest level of local control but greatly lessen the overall property tax burden.
Each idea has its merits and shortcomings, but the great thing is that people are discussing it and contributing their ideas. Instead of democracy inaction, the citizens of Broad Ripple and its environs are practicing democracy in action. What a great way to spend a summer.
Tammy Lieber is a freelance writer who lives in Meridian Kessler, otherwise known as SoBro. A former reporter at the Indianapolis Business Journal, she now writes journalism and marketing pieces when she's not fixing up her house or enjoying the company of friends over a pint of Guinness. Her favorite spectator sport is politics, except on Sundays during football season. Email her at
tammy@broadripplegazette.com
tammy@broadripplegazette.com