DLGF Calls Retroactive Property Tax Increase a “Double-Cross”
Posted by Jeff Pruitt - 2/22/08 @ 3:16 pm - Filed Under City Council, Featured
The JG has reported that the Department of Local Government Finance has rejected the city’s attempt at a retroactive tax increase. The statement issued by Cheryl Musgrave, DLGF Commissioner, is one of the most strongly worded press releases I’ve ever seen from a government agency. Fort Wayne Observed has the press release and the full report.
“This request to increase property tax spending is unprecedented,” DLGF Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave said. “It appears to be a double-cross on taxpayers, who, for months, have been promised a tax cut,” “State law requires budget adoption by Sept. 30, and as such, we are denying the request.”
Double-cross? Ouch. But let’s go back to the original discussion on this topic. Yes it was irresponsible for the previous council to cut the levy but this attempt by the administration to change that fact has been fumbled from the beginning. The administration could’ve sent this request to the DLGF without introducing an ordinance before council. Now they have egg on their face because not only did they attempt to raise taxes 3 days after they took office, but also were publicly embarrassed by the DLGF commissioner.
And I can’t help but think back to comments made by city controller Pat Roller and city attorney Carol Taylor where they mentioned that they had spoken with people at the DLGF and felt sure that this move was legal. Talk about your all-time backfires…
(Photo from Depauw University’s photo repository)
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6 Responses to “DLGF Calls Retroactive Property Tax Increase a “Double-Cross””
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Musgrave is a Mitch Daniels appointee- no doubt his mitchness is not happy with local governments bucking his proposal.
I see this as nothing more than payback!
Kevin,
I get your point here but even if you’re right I think the staff should’ve been aware of that fact and not exposed Mayor Henry to potential embarrassment. In the end I’m sure everybody was trying to do what they felt was right but you have to protect your mayor and in my opinion they hung him out to dry on this one…
Kevin - In what way is Ms. Musgrave’s press release in any way connected to Gov. Mitch’s desires in re tax levies? What’s the connection between changing an accepted levy and Gov. Mitch’s proposal? Seems like Apples & Oranges to me.
Jeff-No one left him out to dry- he did what he thought was in the best interest of the citizens of Fort Wayne. Mitch’s appointee disagrees.
John, Musgrave makes the connection, not me. In her ruling ONE of her reasons for declining the request is that the Governor’s proposal has not passed yet.
Upon second thought, this could be a flexing of the Governor’s muscle to try to get more support for his plan.
Kevin,
Last year, Musgrave approved the bond proposal for Harrison Square. I had hoped she would realize that a majority of F.W. residents were against it, and therefore decide to do anything within her power to slow or kill the project. I don’t argue that there wasn’t soundness to her reasons for approving, just that she had plenty of room for interpretation. She could have easily ruled the other way.
I don’t recall you having accused her of politicizing the matter at that time. Now, her ruling goes against a Democratic mayor, and she is seen as basing her decision on partisan considerations. Is it not possible that her decision was really based upon her interpretation of the law?
If the law is written so loosely that it is so easily subject to political interpretation, then maybe the law needs clarified. Maybe we don’t need somone in Indianapolis telling us how to raise and spend money here in Fort Wayne. But this change should not be based upon just one unfavorable ruling.
Phil,
She did not rule against a Democratic Mayor. She ruled AGAINST Fort Wayne.
The idea was the Mayor’s, but a Majority of the Republicans on Council approved the measure, along with all of the Democrats.