Taxpayers spoke up, and officials from the local level to the federal government listened to talk about property taxes and ways to reduce or eliminate them. One suggestion was to raise the alchohol tax. PHOTO BY SCOTT ROBERSON
By ANNIE GOELLER, Daily Journal of Johnson County staff writer
Taxpayers spoke up, and officials from the local level to the federal government listened.
The summer was full of talk about property taxes and ways to reduce or eliminate them. That talk continues as local, state and federal officials develop plans and proposals to be considered early next year. In a few days, a state commission will come to Franklin to talk
with residents about local government reform. They plan to make recommendations to the state by the end of the year. We asked local taxpayers for their thoughts on how to reduce spending and relieve property taxes, and we got an earful. Here's a look at what you had to say.
NEW OR INCRASED TAXES
Raise alcohol tax
The reason: Tripling the tax would add up to less than $1 for a case of beer. Cigarettes should not be the only item with increased taxes.
"Alcohol kills just like tobacco does, but we're not doing anything about alcohol, it's all smoking." - Charlie Bourne, Prince's Lakes resident and town council member
Hike sales tax
The idea: Increase the state sales tax by at least one percentage point
The reason: The tax is the most fair option because everyone pays it and can decide how much to pay based on what they spend. Government needs to use alternate revenue sources, instead of always putting the cost on property taxes, said Bob Heuchan, president of Mutual Savings Bank.
The idea: Increase the income tax
The reason: It could reduce or eliminate property taxes.
Tax Web sales
The idea: Collect sales tax on Internet sales
The reason: Some people have found the loophole that allows them to avoid paying sales taxes when purchasing over the Internet out of state, often using the rule to make large purchases.
REDUCE GOVERNMENT SPENDING
Trim school plans
The idea: Spend less money on new school buildings and athletics facilities
The reason: A large chunk of property taxes goes to school debt. Schools need to focus on education and keeping qualified teachers. "Focus on education and social skills because that's what education is all about." - Alan Ray Whitaker, Whiteland Town Council member and owner of ARW Trucking
"Center Grove has gone bananas spending money on things that have nothing to do with education and everything to do with image." - Greenwood resident Joan Elliot
Park vehicles
The idea: Stop allowing take-home vehicles for police officers
The reason: Governments are in a financial crisis and don't have extra money. Having take-home cars requires two to three times as many cars as if officers shared cars on shifts. "It's a nice thing for them, but I don't know if we can afford nice. We might just be able to afford OK." - Franklin resident Bill Harmening
Take a pay cut
The idea: Officials should take a pay cut or freeze their pay
The reason: Public officials give themselves raises when taxpayers aren't making more money.
USE HIDDEN ASSETS
Don't waste unused school buildings
The idea: Convert old Maple Grove Elementary School building into a freshman academy for Center Grove High School, instead of adding onto the school.
The reason: The previous elementary school sits vacant next to the high school and previously held six grades of elementary school children. Even with some remodeling, the expense would be less than building an addition on the high school. "They used it for a school. It was designed for a school, so why can't they do that?" - Center Grove area resident Sandy Tanner
Employ inmate labor
The idea: Have prison inmates help with jobs, such as road work.
The reason: There are too many government employees. This could help reduce the number of workers; taxpayers already are paying to house prison inmates.
GOVERNMENT PLANNING
Let people speak
The idea: New buildings, such as schools or the White River Township Government Center, should not be built without the agreement of taxpayers.
The reason: Buildings are constructed with extra rooms and space, costing extra money, and taxpayers don't have enough say.
Limit impact
The idea: Require cities to have say only over the schools that city residents attend
The reason: City officials sometimes have a say over what happens in other school districts where nonresidents live. For example, Greenwood chose to annex land in the Homecoming development and give tax incentives to businesses Cabela's and Nestle, all of which are in the Clark-Pleasant school district, impacting taxes. Some of the people in that school district don't live within city limits, meaning they don't have a say over what the city of Greenwood does. "We can't vote for mayor, but yet their actions affect us." - Mike Venatta, Clark Township resident.
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