As promised in the November e-newsletter, I will attempt to explain further the 2006 legislation that placed a 2% Property Tax cap on all Single Family Residential Units Statewide and the provisions for the 2% property tax caps for multiple family units in 2008 and commercial and industrial for 2010.

This article is over eight (8) pages long.  I have therefore decided to split it into two months.  The report for this month the background data, source of information, search options you may wish to look into, etc.  The January report will be on the impact, the need for changes, etc.

The legislation is located on the Access Indiana website at www.in.gov.  The House Bill 1001 covers numerous budgetary items but the 2% cap issues are contained in the bill.  Additionally, for a better understanding of the specific Lake County property tax issues and in general the current tax system statewide there are two very good articles.

article1  article2. The sources are the Indiana Business Research Centerand the Indiana Business Review Magazine.

As I indicated in the November Newsletter the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) has proposed new legislation called HomeTown Matters. I will discuss this proposal as part of the potential solutions to the property tax cap issues.  HomeTown Matters is available for review at www.citiesandtowns.com.

First, I would like to clear one potential problem that may arise in my report.  I will attempt to present the facts as I understand them and try not to impose my opinions until the very end of next month’s report.  I believe the property tax issues are extremely important and deserve everyone’s attention; that is all taxpayers, residential and commercial. 

Please remember this is just the property taxes, there are other taxes such as gas, sales, income, excise, auto, boat, FICA, unemployment, etc., and some of these taxes do help with municipal services such as the street department.  But generally, the $640.00 paid to the local municipality provides you with police, fire, EMS, planning, courts, parks, most all municipal services you can imagine except the snow plowing and street maintenance crews.

Third, you need to know a little about the Town of Merrillville budget.  I will not go into explanations of the budgetary system except to say that all municipalities and all counties typically start the budget process in May/June of any given year for the following year.  In other words, the budget that we are using today was created based on estimates and projections of revenues in May/June of 2005.  The General Fund budget was adopted in September of 2005, and reduced by over $250,000.00 in May of 2006 by the Department of Local Government and Finance (DLGF).  (Many municipal budgets are reduced by the DLGF in any given year.) There are numerous funds that make up a total municipal budget.  The General Fund is the primary source for most municipal services such as police, fire, courts, administration, planning, engineering, etc.  Additionally, the total municipal budget for the Town of Merrillville is $14.5 million for 2007 for all funds and budgets. 

Finally, the legislation is a 2% property tax cap; it is not a mandatory 2% tax rate.  The difference can be astounding.  Above I indicated how the breakdown to the various taxing entities occurred on a $4,000.00 per year tax bill.  The market value of this property could not be less than $200,000.00 and the property could easily be market valued for more say $250,000.00 or $300,000.00. 

The Current 2% Cap of Lake County

Other Taxing Issues

Chief Nick Bravos and Retired Assistant Chief Eugene Gurensey in a Vintage Vehicle.

Don’t Miss Out!

Registration is now open for the following classes:

Ballet/Tap

Ages: 3-6
Saturday, January 13, 2006
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Fee: Residents $40 Non-Residents $45
Session: 6 weeks

Ages: 7 & Up
Thursday, January 11, 2007
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Fee: Residents $45 Non-residents $50
Session: 6 weeks

Tumblebears Gymnastics

Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Ages: Tot and Parent
5:50 p.m. - 6:25 p.m.
Fee: Resident $35 Non-resident $40
Session: 4 weeks

Ages: 3 - 5
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
5:15 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.
Fee: Resident $35 Non-resident $40
Session: 4 weeks

Ages: 6 & Up
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Fee: Residents $35 Non-resident $40
Session: 4 weeks

Yoga

Friday, January 12, 2007
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Fee: Residents over 50 - FREE Residents 49 and under - $20
Non-residents any age - $25
Session: 5 weeks

Chicago Style Steppin’

Monday, January 22, 2007
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Fee: Residents $45 per person Non-residents $50 per person
Leather sole shoes are required
Session: 6 weeks

Needlecrafts

Monday, January 22, 2007
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Fee: Residents $5 Non-residents $10
Session: 6 weeks

Walkers In Motion

Wednesday, January 17, 2007
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Class meets two days a week – Wednesday and Friday
Fee: Residents $20 Non-residents $25
Session: 6 weeks

ALL CLASSES REQUIRE REGISTRATION ONE WEEK BEFORE START DATE! REGISTER EARLY!!!

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Pet Photo Contest Winners

Most Unique: Zuna (Owner, Tara Stawley of Merrillville)

Most Festive: Haza Riot (Owner, J.R. Luna of Merrillville)

Best Pet/Owner Theme: Buba (Owner, J.R. Luna of Merrillville)

A special thank you to Pecto for donating prizes.

In addition to continuing to provide the current list of programs that Merrillville Parks and Recreation offers, Nathan will be putting together new activities for community members of all ages.

Prior to joining the Parks and Recreation staff, Nathan worked as an Account Executive for the Region Sports Network; a Highland based sports media company, broadcasting high school sports in Northwest Indiana.

Nathan currently resides in Griffith with his wife Nicole, a teacher at Clifford Pierce Middle School. Away from the office, you can find Nathan following his Ball State Cardinals and the Chicago White Sox.

Have an idea for a program you would like Merrillville Parks and Recreation to offer?

e-mail Nathan at

recreation-super@merrillville.in.gov

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HEALTHY YOU

Living a healthy lifestyle includes diet and exercise. Those who are inactive increase their likelihood of becoming overweight. They also miss important opportunities to improve their health, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and maintain their bone strength through weight-bearing or strength-training exercise.

Self-motivation is sometimes half the battle in staying fit. Here are some tips to get started:

1) Set specific goals - having something to work toward gives you a reason to get active.

2) Make it personal - you must want to do it for yourself and no one else.

3) Tap into your passion - find something you love and do it well.

4) Plan small steps with measurable results - this keeps you focused and realistic.

5) Be a team player - it’s easier to stay committed when you’re in it together.

6) Have a winning attitude - focus on what you do well and visualize yourself achieving your goal.

7) Out-do yourself - striving to beat your own records will keep you going.

8) Bounce back - top athletes view setbacks as an opportunity for learning

9) Stay safe and strong - when you’re keeping healthy and in shape you reduce your risk of injury

10) R&R - a break will keep you focused, help you achieve balance and avoid burnout.

The Town of Merrillville has recently increased our economic development efforts to attract new business investment, provide well paying jobs, and improve the built environment of our community. The Town of Merrillville is committed to strengthening the growth and development of the local economy for new and existing businesses.

The current economic development efforts are focused on attracting new manufacturing, light industrial, and multi-story office development in order to diversify and increase the community tax base.

The Town of Merrillville is entering a new and exciting period in our community's evolution. We are dedicated to working with community residents, political officials, business owners, and other key stakeholders to coordinate the growth and development for the Town of Merrillville in a manner that meets the needs and desires of all residents.

Recent Economic Development Activities:

• Developing an industrial retention initiative in collaboration with the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce aimed at keeping light industrial and commercial business in the Town of Merrillville.

Residents may also request a “Vacation Watch” before leaving home for an extended period of time.

By registering your home with the Merrillville Police Department, officers will provide extra patrols of your residence while you are away. Notifying us also provides us with a way to contact you if we receive a call about a problem at your home.

To register your home, simply email or print out the Vacation Watch form and return it the Merrillville Police Department no less than 7 days prior to your departure.

Town Council     view

Know the Law

Town Ordinance Sec. 8-2.

Littering generally

(a)   No person shall litter any streets, or any public or private property with handbills, paper or debris. No person shall so distribute any advertising matter or handbills that they may be blown about or result in the littering of streets, or any public or private property. No person shall place any advertising matter or handbills on or in any vehicle except in a manner which will prevent it from being blown about or scattered by the elements.

(b)   No person shall throw, place, leave or suffer to be thrown, placed or left, any garbage, ashes, household rubbish, appliances or parts thereof, miscellaneous rubbish, manure or any refuse in or upon any premises, public or private, including streets, alleys, parkways, or other public places or upon any vacant or unimproved lots or parcels of land in the town.

(c)   It shall be unlawful for any person to dump or deposit or cause to be dumped or deposited any grass, leaves, branches, or other items or snow in a roadway or gutter of any public street in the town.

(d)   No person shall throw, discharge or deposit or cause to be thrown, or deposited or discharged by any other person, any garbage, offal or refuse, or ashes, in the waters of any river, stream or creek of any tributary of the Turkey Creek-Deep River Watershed, or along the banks of any of them.

Ward 1

Terrell Taylor

Ward 2

Richard Hardaway

Ward 3

D. Lance Huish

Ward 4

David Uzelac

Ward 5

Joe Shudick Jr.

Ward 6

Shawn Pettit

Ward 7

Ron Widing

Town Government Telephone numbers

Town Manager

769-5711

Clerk-Treasurer

769-3501

Planning & Building

769-3631

Town Engineer

769-5711

Public Works

769-6784

Emergency Medical Service

769-0400

Parks & Recreation

980-5911

Ross Township Fire Service

769-0004

Police Non-Emergency

769-3531

Police Administration

769-3722

Police Sub-Station

884-3841

Code Enforcement

769-3631

Town Court

756-6185

Meeting Schedules

events calendar

The Town Council

2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:30p.m.

The Plan Commission

3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

The Police Commission

1st Friday of the month at 8:00 a.m.

The Board of Zoning Appeals

4th Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

The Town Hall is open Monday

Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.