By FRED SWIFT
The County Line
Many political leaders around Hamilton County are gleefully telling everyone that they will not increase the property tax rate next year. But, they are not saying that most individual homeowners will pay more in 2022. For some it will be a little more and for some it will be a lot more.
The reason, of course, is that there was widespread upward trending in assessments for next year. Property owners were advised by mail of any increase in their assessment, but many paid little attention to the notice.
Countywide, the taxable assessed valuation increased by about $1.7 billion, a tremendous amount for any county. Most of the increase was found in the growing cities of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville and Westfield.
This will mean about a 7 percent countywide increase in tax revenue, even more in the fastest growing areas, and somewhat less in northern parts of the county.
So, if you hear officials brag about little or no increase in the rate, don’t be overly impressed. The fact is, growing communities, while having legitimate needs for more money to provide public services, will have more than enough revenue to meet those needs.
Beyond true needs, city, town and the county council, along with school boards and township boards, should reduce their tax rates at least a little to offset the increases most residents experienced in their assessments. There would still be sufficient new money to meet increasing costs of government.
Will we get that relief? It might depend on whether any taxpayers demand it. Contrary to popular opinion, officeholders do listen to their voters.