State OKs altering tax payments for flood victims

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BY BILL DOLAN
bdolan@nwitimes.com
219.662.5328 | Tuesday, September 30, 2008 | (10 comment(s))

CROWN POINT | The state is giving Lake County officials the green light to give flood-damaged homeowners and small businesses breaks on paying property taxes for this year and possibly next.

Mary Jane Michalak, a spokeswoman for the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance, said the treasurer's office can offer installment plans to homeowners and small businesses devastated by this month's flood.

"We gave them the OK. My understanding is that the (Lake) County Council still has to act," she said Monday.

County Councilman Larry Blanchard, R-Crown Point, said he expects the council could pass a resolution next month approving installments.

County Treasurer John Petalas said hundreds who were devastated financially by heavy rains more than two weeks ago need more time to raise money for their taxes than the current schedule allows. That schedule requires half the amount due to be paid by the end of October and the remainder by year's end.

The council is expected to create a new payment plan of three installments over the final three months of 2008.

Sherry Stone, director of real estate matters in the county assessor's office, said Monday she still is seeking guidance from the state about how to conduct a reassessment that could lower flood victims' property values and taxes due in 2009.

Michalak said Monday the county doesn't need the state's permission to do a reassessment as long as it follows rules established under past emergency reassessments.

A memo from the Department of Local Government Finance provided to The Times by Michalak indicates the county will have to conduct detailed inspections. Household items such as ruined furniture and appliances aren't taxable and wouldn't count toward a reduction in a home's value.

Stone said the county needs to know whether it can hire a private firm to conduct the investigation required to justify lowering property values and whether the office can use data already supplied by property owners to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Times staff writer Patrick Guinane contributed to this report.

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to just politics wrote on Sep 30, 2008 4:30 PM:

" Why is someone that is trying to help always "just politics", isn't it called doing your job? If you have any better ideas how to help why don't you offer them instead of sitting around your computer complaining like old hens. "

To Dolly Pheasant Hills wrote on Sep 30, 2008 4:27 PM:

" First of all, there were no taxes due the last time that there was flood. And secondly, this is for everyone, "all hardship cases"! So if you have lost your job and are having a problem, this includes you too. This is not because it is an election year. Would it make you happier if they didn't do anything at all, then you could complain about that too. Some people are so bitter that they only know how to make negative statements. If you need help, go ask for it, don't sit around complaining about something that you don't even understand. "

To Dolly and pheasant hills wrote on Sep 30, 2008 3:31 PM:

" You're right! There should be outrage that this is happening. It's nothing but politics. "

D. Golly Griffith IN wrote on Sep 30, 2008 1:17 PM:

" You have to be joking!!! Where were you when Griffith, Highland, Dyer and Merrillville flooded last year. What about the people you flooded by pumping out the flooded MUNSTER people. Don't get me wrong, I feel sorry for everybody, but treat everybody the SAME!! No special treatments and payments unless everyone gets it and everyone pays for it. And why should the tax payers pay for the private firm to do this STUPID and DISCRIMINATING plan for the MUNSTER people. Why don't you let the unemployed people have a tax break and come reasses our homes because of the housing market and give us more time to pay!!! Other towns people need to file DISCRIMINATION suits against lake county. UNBELIEVEABLE!!! "

How About wrote on Sep 30, 2008 12:03 PM:

" Gee Mr. Petalas, how about getting the bills out when they are supposed to go out next time, if you're still in office? I for one, think you need to be replaced ASAP! "

American1 wrote on Sep 30, 2008 10:46 AM:

" Interesting how most of the property assessments went up over the last 60 days, while all of the fair market values are going down. Time for a trip to the assessor's office with appraisal in hand. "

Pheasant Hills Resident wrote on Sep 30, 2008 9:53 AM:

" This is so sad...you can tell it is an election year...where was all of this sympathy last year and the year before for all of those who had flooding in Dyer, Griffith, and Highland...no one came forward for us...we were charged the penalties when we didn't pay our taxes on time because we used the funds to fix up the water damage...just another election year gimmick to get your votes from the county up to the state level... "

This is a joke wrote on Sep 30, 2008 8:01 AM:

" It does nothing. Everything must still be paid by the end of the year. "

Joker wrote on Sep 30, 2008 6:17 AM:

" Come reassess my house too. I'm sure the value has gone down since the housing market is down. How are you gonna decide who gets the installment payments? What if a house got a little seepage in the corner does that qualify as flood damage? What you do for one you have to do for all. "

Do Your Job wrote on Sep 30, 2008 4:26 AM:

" Once again the county wants to hire a private firm to do its work. Are you kidding me? Do the job you were hired to do, and STOP giving our hard earned money to your 'connected' private firms. "

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