REFERENDUM NOTICE
When you cast your vote on November 4th, there is a question on the last page of the ballot that is important to all property tax payers:
“Should the assessing duties of the elected township assessor in the township be transferred to the county assessor?”
If the referendum passes, all township positions will transfer to the county, but not the employees who currently hold those positions.
That would mean that possibly un-qualified personnel would answer any questions you have on assessments or tax bills (that is, if they don’t just transfer your call).
If you want to review your assessment data or file an appeal, you will go to the government complex in Crown Point…usually, not a pleasant experience.
For years the Times and the Post-Tribune have referred to County offices as bloated, inefficient, and employment agencies for family and political cronies.
The County Assessor has been quoted as saying that his office cannot provide the same level of service as the townships and that the legislation is “flawed.”
If you want to retain your voting power over who represents you in establishing the value of your homes, then we urge you to vote “NO!”
If you want to keep the convenience of a local office, then vote “NO!”
If you want to be assessed by “one of your own” who lives here and knows the territory and who they answer to, then you must vote “NO!”
If you want your questions answered by state certified individuals who are knowledgeable about your neighborhood, then vote “NO!”
“NO” is #186 on your ballot
Not even the Governor projects any savings from merging local assessing offices into the government complex. Many even suggest that the costs will increase because more work will be contracted out…remember Cole-Layer-Trumble?