By HOLLY GASKILL
After several months of formation and revision, the Wells County Council has signed off on a code of conduct for the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals.
Alongside this, the council approved an ordinance outlining the process and qualifications for the removal of a PTABOA member.
Council member Brandon Harnish spearheaded these additions in light of alleged misconduct by the former assessor and former members of the PTABOA. The documents reflect much of the Indiana Code and best practices but specifically outline an expectation to review items without bias toward the assessor.
Harnish noted the importance of a responsible PTABOA in the current climate as property assessments rise with the market.
“There isn’t a single reform the county can legally enact that will address this problem en masse,” Harnish said. “However, where the county can insert itself is in the PTABOA appeals process. That’s what we’re doing.”
Appeals on recent assessments are due June 15. Information regarding the appeals process is available on the county’s website.
Additionally, Harnish encouraged real estate professionals and others interested to consider serving on the board. Blake Fiechter, a PTABOA member, secured the Republican primary for an at-large position on the Bluffton Common Council on Tuesday. If elected, Fiechter will resign from his PTABOA position and the council will take applications for the vacancy.
Other updates were:
• William Horan, the Purdue Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources, gave the office’s annual report. The previous director for 4-H and youth, Hannah Bridegam, resigned in the fall, but Anya Aulbach will fill the position beginning May 15. Horan said Aulbach is a current Purdue senior with several years of experience interning at the Indiana 4-H Foundation.
• The council approved a $7,000 additional appropriation for Community Corrections to upgrade the agency’s communications system. Executive Director Blake Poindexter stated this upgrade will allow employees to connect to the Internet for extra security with dispatch communication. The funds will ultimately come out of the department’s project income.
• Two grant applications were approved for the Wells County EMS.
holly@news-banner.com
