Madison County is one of 16 Indiana counties whose tax information is still under review.
According to a Sept. 7 announcement by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF), tax rates for 14 more counties have been released. In all, 59 counties have received tax rates, 16 have had their reassessments approved and await tax rates and 17 are proceeding with reassessment.
"From what I understand, our status is 'pending budget approval,'" said Madison County Treasurer Darlene Likens. "The DLGF has already contacted us and approved our reassessment information. We're just waiting for a tax rate."
In August, DLGF spokeswoman Michele Brockemyre told The Herald Bulletin that Madison County's reassessment information was approved, and its tax information was under review by a third party.
"Officials in these counties conducted assessments in accordance with state guidelines and demonstrated due diligence in conducting the original assessments," DLGF Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave said.
The rate set by the DLGF will be certified by the auditor's office and an outline of tax policy called an abstract will be submitted to the state for approval. Once the rate has been advertised the process may then begin to prepare Madison County's 80,000 or so tax bills.
Meanwhile, the Madison County Council began four days of budget hearings on Monday. Without a tax rate, the county budget is merely guesswork.
"I've not spoken with the council," said Madison County Auditor Kathy Stoops-Wright, "but I assume they will probably leave the 2006 budget with a 3 percent increase."
A tentative deadline of Nov. 13 has been set for property tax payments, but bills must be sent out at least 15 days prior to the due date. Spring tax bills are normally due May 10. In 2006, state lawmakers switched to a marked-based system to assess property values called "trending."
The DLGF will hold reassessment hearings in seven counties - Adams, Blackford, Ohio, Parke, Ripley, Scott and Switzerland - to determine if reassessments will be ordered there. Each of these counties has a high percentage of unchanged commercial or industrial values, according to the DLGF, as well as other factors that prompted the need for review.
"Local feedback is crucial in making the decision to order a reassessment," DLGF Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave said. "I encourage the public to take an active role in this process and attend their local public hearings."