COUNCILMAN’S CORNER
I’ve always felt that taxing property is one of the most unfair forms of taxation. Property taxes often hit those on fixed incomes such as elderly retirees the hardest. Indiana tax court decisions and even local votes such as the City Council vote which hastened the elimination of the business inventory tax (to encourage new jobs) have already shifted the tax burden even more onto the backs of the property tax payer. On top of these trends there’s a proposal gaining strength in the state legislature that will result in even higher property taxes. A state property tax relief measure on the books for some time is apparently now on the chopping block. This will result in state revenue being retained in Indy to help resolve the state’s budgetary woes and that is certainly understandable. Unfortunately, the end result of limiting “property tax relief” will be a de facto increase in local property taxes—one more burden on the property owner.
The city has been doing a better job at flood prevention and flood fighting. We still have a long way to go, however. As you have probably heard a Flood Master Plan is being developed so Fort Wayne can be as proactive as possible in using local, state, and federal resources to fight floods. You’ll be able to obtain more information and have your flood related questions answered at any one of a series of meetings scheduled during the next month. Waynedale News readers should find these meeting sites the handiest to attend (all meetings are at 6 pm): April 13th—at the Synagogue, 5200 Old Mill Road; April 25th—Community Center at Southwest Fire Station, 7001 Old Trail Road; April 27th—Easter Seals ARC, 2542 Thompson Ave. If you want to have input into Fort Wayne’s plans for fighting floods during the next several years, be sure to attend one of these meetings. Always feel free to pass along your thoughts and suggestions to me as well.
A final public hearing was held on Monday night, April 11, regarding the city’s new truck route ordinance that is currently being rewritten. It’s a big challenge to balance the needs of quiet residential neighborhoods with the needs of companies constantly hauling loads of commercial goods in heavy duty trucks. However, it appears to me that the ad hoc committee working on this issue is moving in the right direction. Let me know if you have any thoughts regarding our future truck route ordinance. A final bill will likely be passed by City Council within a few weeks.
Give me a call with any concerns, constructive suggestions, etc. Thanks!
Tom Hayhurst
City Councilman
4th District
432-8418
tom.hayhurst@verizon.net
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