July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Scrambling for deadline (12/17/07)
Jay County Commissioners
By By JACK RONALD-
Re-trending of Jay County's 2006-2007 property assessment is nearly ready for submission to the state, but county officials are still struggling to meet a series of deadlines imposed by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance.
And because the 2007-2008 revision of assessments can't go forward until 2006-2007 has been approved, there's a good chance the county won't have a handle on its budget for the new year until spring.
And if assessments and state approval of the budget are delayed, tax statements will be delayed as well, which could force the county to borrow temporarily to pay its day-to-day bills.
Reassessment in Jay County was ordered by the DLGF after the state challenged the methods used to assess commercial and industrial property, arguing that those methods led to lower valuations.
County assessor Anita Mills, who maintains the company that conducted the original assessment followed state guidelines, told county commissioners this morning that the 2006-2007 reassessment is virtually wrapped up.
Mills estimated the DLGF would take as long as seven weeks to approve the 2006-2007 numbers. The 2007-2008 reassessment could then be completed in roughly four weeks. It could then take another seven weeks before the DLGF approves the 2007-2008 revised figures, which would be necessary before the 2008 budget can be considered by the DLGF for state approval.
"We may be looking at April," said county auditor Freda Corwin. "You won't have a budget."
Mills said a recent letter threatening assessors with revocation of their certification if they didn't meet DLGF timetables went to most assessors in the state.
"She (DLGF commissioner Cheryl Musgrave) is threatening to pull their certification if they don't meet her deadlines," said Mills.
"She's been put in there as a hatchet person," said commissioner president Milo Miller Jr. of Musgrave.
"I think it's because the state wants (county assessors) to look bad," said commissioner Gary Theurer.
In other business this morning, the commissioners:
•Approved the purchase of two new police cruisers at the recommendation of Jay County Sheriff Ray Newton. The county will buy two 2008 Chevrolet Impalas from Ken Kunkle Chevrolet-Oldsmobile-Cadillac, Portland, for a total of $36,148 after trade-ins. The cars will be a single color rather than two-tone. The savings will allow for the cars to be equipped properly with upgraded radios, Newton said.
•Agreed with the suggestion of DLZ, an Indianapolis jail consulting firm, to have cellblock doors examined by a locksmith to see if repairs are feasible. DLZ recommended against replacing the doors, because if the jail is expanded the current cellblock area would be used for a work-release program and money spent on doors and locks would be wasted.[[In-content Ad]]
And because the 2007-2008 revision of assessments can't go forward until 2006-2007 has been approved, there's a good chance the county won't have a handle on its budget for the new year until spring.
And if assessments and state approval of the budget are delayed, tax statements will be delayed as well, which could force the county to borrow temporarily to pay its day-to-day bills.
Reassessment in Jay County was ordered by the DLGF after the state challenged the methods used to assess commercial and industrial property, arguing that those methods led to lower valuations.
County assessor Anita Mills, who maintains the company that conducted the original assessment followed state guidelines, told county commissioners this morning that the 2006-2007 reassessment is virtually wrapped up.
Mills estimated the DLGF would take as long as seven weeks to approve the 2006-2007 numbers. The 2007-2008 reassessment could then be completed in roughly four weeks. It could then take another seven weeks before the DLGF approves the 2007-2008 revised figures, which would be necessary before the 2008 budget can be considered by the DLGF for state approval.
"We may be looking at April," said county auditor Freda Corwin. "You won't have a budget."
Mills said a recent letter threatening assessors with revocation of their certification if they didn't meet DLGF timetables went to most assessors in the state.
"She (DLGF commissioner Cheryl Musgrave) is threatening to pull their certification if they don't meet her deadlines," said Mills.
"She's been put in there as a hatchet person," said commissioner president Milo Miller Jr. of Musgrave.
"I think it's because the state wants (county assessors) to look bad," said commissioner Gary Theurer.
In other business this morning, the commissioners:
•Approved the purchase of two new police cruisers at the recommendation of Jay County Sheriff Ray Newton. The county will buy two 2008 Chevrolet Impalas from Ken Kunkle Chevrolet-Oldsmobile-Cadillac, Portland, for a total of $36,148 after trade-ins. The cars will be a single color rather than two-tone. The savings will allow for the cars to be equipped properly with upgraded radios, Newton said.
•Agreed with the suggestion of DLZ, an Indianapolis jail consulting firm, to have cellblock doors examined by a locksmith to see if repairs are feasible. DLZ recommended against replacing the doors, because if the jail is expanded the current cellblock area would be used for a work-release program and money spent on doors and locks would be wasted.[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD