Monroe County Income Tax Council To Meet Regarding Public Safety Tax

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2016

For more information, please contact: Michael Flory, Council Attorney, mflory@co.monroe.in.us, 812-349-7312

Monroe County Income Tax Council To Meet Regarding Public Safety Tax

Bloomington, Ind. - An historic meeting of the Monroe County Income Tax Council will take place Tuesday, September 27. Four bodies of locally elected officials comprise the Monroe County Income Tax Council. The Bloomington Common Council, the Monroe County Council, the Ellettsville Town Council and the Stinesville Town Council will meet on the same night to take action on the proposed extension of the current Public Safety Tax into 2017 and beyond. The meeting will take place in the Nat U. Hill Room on the third floor of the Monroe County Courthouse at 5:30 p.m.

Acting in separate meetings over the summer, the four bodies considered adopting the public safety tax, and did so prior to June 30, 2016. Due to ambiguity in the state statutes controlling actions on public safety taxation, the Department of Local Government Finance informed the units that the tax they adopted would only be in effect for three months, unless further actions were taken in order to extend it. The tax rate adopted by the Income Tax Council was 0.25%, which is the same rate that will be under consideration for extension.

By taking action prior to June 30, 2016, the four bodies enabled fire departments, volunteer fire departments and emergency services providers to request special funding from the new stream of revenues. A subcommittee made up of representatives of the voting members of the Income Tax Council met in August and reviewed applications submitted by eight units, and heard presentations by fire chiefs and township trustees. The subcommittee recommended funding of approximately $400,000 to meet the needs set out by the petitioners. Prior to September 1st all voting members of the Income Tax Council had voted to fund the recommended projects.

Tuesday's meeting will consist of separate public hearings by each voting member, with the results formally conveyed to other members by the County Auditor. Public comment will be taken at the meeting.

For further information contact: Michael Flory, Council Attorney, mflory@co.monroe.in.us, 812-349-7312

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