Articles by Fred Swift

County construction plans announced

The Hamilton County Highway Department has released the details of its road improvement plans for the current construction season. Work is already underway on replacing five small bridge structures in…



County Parks gala was a hit

The County Line The Hamilton County Parks system began 50 years ago with virtually no land and no money, but today is the envy of the state. The park board…


Property tax deadline this Wednesday

The spring installment of property taxes are due Wednesday, May 10. About half of county property owners have their taxes paid through their escrow account, but those without escrowed funds…


Understand property tax tending

The County Line Usually property tax assessment is a dull subject that creates little interest, but then, once a year the assessor sends out a notice of individual assessment to…


Do we need new laws EVERY year?

The annual session of the Indiana General Assembly is over. Members will convene again next year. But, do we need the legislature to meet every year? There was a time,…


Unraveling complex school funding formula

Hamilton County’s six public school systems will share $357 million next year in state collected tax funds, an increase of $13 million over 2017 disbursements. The money covers most, but…


For some there is an election next week

The County Line On Tuesday, May 2, voters in Adams, Clay and Washington townships will be eligible to vote in special referendum elections in which their respective school districts are…


Hamilton County’s bittersweet bell

The County Line Over the years our readers have probably noticed the small bell house on the east lawn of the county courthouse. It’s an unusual type of memorial. The…