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Most Indiana township assessors will be out of a job July 1.
That’s the deadline for county assessors to take over
township assessing duties, as mandated by a legislative tax
reform package.
HB 1001 swaps lower property taxes for higher sales taxes
(see
April 2008 e-Poer Report) and eliminates the positions of
966 township assessors.
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In townships with less than
15,000 parcels, assessing duties are automatically
transferred to the county assessor
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In townships with more than
15,000 parcels, a Nov. referendum decides whether the duties
are transferred to the county assessor
HB 1001 also requires that county
and township assessors get additional training. After June 30,
2008, assessor candidates must have Level II Assessor-Appraiser
Certification. After January 1, 2012, candidates must attain
Level III certification before taking office.
Most township officials opposed HB
1001 and worked through the Indiana Township Association to
lobby against it. Springfield Township Assessor Howard Conley
was quoted as saying it amounts to taxation without
representation. “The move away from locally based assessors
takes away the people’s voice,” he said.
With the change, county offices
will need more storage space, desks, computers, and staff.
Therefore, critics complain it won’t reduce costs for taxpayers.
Gov. Mitch Daniels said the change isn’t necessarily about
saving money. He said it’s more about being accountable and
making the system uniform. |
