Property Taxes

St. Joseph County leaders say state-enacted property tax cuts are leading them to stop paying for ambulance service to townships, forcing some townships to merge to better afford the service.

St. Joseph County Public Library Board Executive Director Stephanie Murphy fears Mishawaka Republican Sen. Ryan Mishler's bill would bring too much partisan politics into library operations.

St. Joseph County Council Member Amy Drake says the 55+ credit saved about 10,000 homeowners a combined $2.7 million in its first year, and says the credit's $280,000 cost to county government was worth it.

St. Joseph County Council Democratic President Pro Tem Bryan Tanner says Democrats' coalition with Republican Dan Schaetzle worked well, including tapping cash reserves to shore up police pensions and double road repair spending.

Regional officials with Accelerating Indiana Municipalities planned an information meeting Monday at Mishawaka City Hall to talk about how the property tax cuts from Senate Enrolled Act 1 earlier this year will force hard choices on which services to provide.

A tax discussion drew more than 400 residents to the Goshen Theater on Wednesday, according to the city. “If you would have told me that hundreds and hundreds of people would come out for a lecture on taxes . . . I would say, ‘Only in Goshen,’” said Mayor Gina Leichty.

Elkhart Community Schools may bring in $20 million less in revenue over the next five years, as a result of Indiana’s property tax reform. The school board got an update Tuesday on the impact of Senate Enrolled Act 1.

St. Joseph County Council Republicans Amy Drake and Andy Rutten say its time for the county to follow the Supreme Court's and Trump administration's leads on ending affirmative action.

Suburban and rural fire territories say it's increasingly difficult on their own to provide fire and ambulance services that people have come to expect.

The newly added property tax assessments town hall is set for Saturday June 7 in the County-City Building's 4th Floor Council Chambers from 10 a.m. to noon.