In April, The Goshen News asked County Auditor Patricia Pickens and County Council District 4 member David Hess to explain how the increase in property taxes has benefited the county. Property tax collections in Elkhart County have increased 39.93% over the past four years. That’s an increase of over $88 million, or $427 for every woman, man and child in the county.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there is an average of 2.6 people per housing unit here in Elkhart County. That means that the average increase in property taxes is $1,110 per home.

YET COUNTY disbursements (cash expenditures) have increased “only” 19.41% over the same time period. As we pointed out in April, the County Cash & Investment Balance has increased by an astonishing 65.95%. That’s an increase of over $143 million in the past three years. Where has it gone?

Rainy Day Funds, as accumulated by the county and each of 40 other taxing districts (cities, towns, schools, libraries and townships) are sitting on some of the increased tax funds, as surely as inflation has taken a portion. You can’t blame inflation alone.

According to Hoosier State Today, total inflation, the cost of goods and services in Indiana, has been 19.8% since January 2021. Still, inflation accounts for only about half of the increase in property taxes paid by us.

WHERE DID the remainder go?

The residents and tax payers of Elkhart County deserve answers to these questions. The value of real estate has increased dramatically. The average home in Elkhart County is worth $210,000, according to Zillow, about a $60,000 increase in the past four years. While it gives us a warm feeling, a homeowner doesn’t actually gain a benefit from that increase until you sell your home. Until then, the only real benefit you see is a higher property tax bill, that most of us pay every six months, or as part of our mortgage payments. Higher property taxes make the total cost of housing higher, and create barriers to home ownership. That’s one of the reasons why Elkhart County has a lower rate of home ownership than the state average.

We think that the County Council, together with those 40 other taxing districts, should provide a report to county taxpayers, describing in digestible format, just where the $88 million windfall has gone, and where it will be going this year.
© 2025 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.