No jump in LOIT for '09 (12/30/2008)

The Jay County Council decided to leave taxes alone at a special meeting Monday night.

The council held a public hearing to discuss whether to raise the county's Local Option Income Tax rate for 2009. But following a recommendation by financial consultant Greg Guerrettaz, the council voted to leave the rates untouched.

"Greg recommended ... we leave them the same," said council member Marilyn Coleman.

Coleman said Guerrettaz advised the council to wait until the county's reassessment is completed before looking at tinkering with the rate.

No members of the public appeared or spoke during Monday's meeting.

To take effect in 2009, an increase in the rate must have been voted on during 2008, making the special meeting necessary.

In the end-of-the-year meeting, the council also adopted the new county personnel policy after making a small correction. The new employee handbook has been approved by the commissioners and council and will now be presented to all of the county department heads for their approval.

Councilman Fred Bailey was present at the meeting after suffering a heart attack the weekend before Christmas. He received treatment at Ball Memorial Hospital and was released in time for the holiday. Bailey said he is feeling fine since the attack.[[In-content Ad]]