By HOLLY GASKILL
Wells County may be reducing some of its property tax credits in 2024.
Currently, 23 percent of the county’s Local Income Tax revenue is applied as property tax credits to residential properties, the bulk of which goes to homeowners. However, consultant Darren Bates has advised the state will remove these credits at some point, and there may be wiser uses for that revenue.
Bates returned to discuss their county’s options Tuesday when the council discussed lowering the credit to 11 percent. By doing so, the county will tentatively receive $960,000.
Council member Seth Whicker proposed these funds could support the county’s dispatch and EMS. Whicker noted that EMS has been dwindling its endowment since revenue has not supported EMS operations. Most recently, EMS reported $4.6 million remaining.
“Inflation is just crushing them,” Whicker said.
Bates, who works with 71 of Indiana’s 92 counties in some capacity, stated he had also seen areas use these funds toward other vital services, like fire districts. “The bottom line is you got think about the future, and that’s why I’m trying to give you more credits to pay your bills,” Bates said.
The council agreed the funds could be divided between the two groups, with potentially 8 percent toward dispatch services and 4 percent toward EMS. The remaining credit will continue to be distributed as they had been, 85 percent toward homesteads and 15 toward businesses.
In a 6-0 vote, the council approved holding a public hearing for this change at their next regular meeting, 7 p.m. on Sept. 5; council member Vicki Andrews was not present for the vote.
Also during the meeting:
• The county council approved $1,306,080.20 additional for the Highway Department, the vast majority of which goes toward projects supported by Community Crossings Matching Grant. The council also approved an additional $2,800 to the drainage board’s attorney services and postage and the transfer of $3,000 from professional services to supplies in the clerk’s office.
• The council then approved additionals to support pay matrix increases — $250 to the recorder’s office, $2,050 to the surveyor’s office, $4,315 to the Circuit Court and $900 to Soil and Water Conservation.
• Council received the estimated property tax levy limits and the circuit breakers for each of the county’s taxing units.
holly@news-banner.com
