LOWELL | A region legislator is drafting a bill that would freeze any local income tax at 1 percent, he told a south Lake County gathering this week.

Grateful for some good tax news, a crowd of about 40 people applauded the possible income-tax limit at a public forum in Lowell Wednesday.

At the same time, the crowd learned more about the changing property-tax system.

"I'm in the process of generating legislation that says the 1-percent local income tax will stay where it's levied," State Rep. Don Lehe, R-Brookston said. "One segment of the county should not subsidize the bad spending of another segment of the county."

Lake County officials are still wrestling with whether to pass a 1-percent local income tax foisted on them by the state. The Legislature has mandated the income tax as a means of providing revenue for property-tax relief.

Lehe explained that the local income tax is a necessary demonstration from counties that they will be part of the process in revising Indiana's much-maligned property tax system.

"Counties keep coming to the state for help, and the counties need to show that they are trying to help themselves," he said.

At the same time, residents received some advice from West Creek Township Trustee/Assessor Rick Niemeyer and Cedar Creek Township Deputy Assessor Jolie Covaciu at Wednesday's forum.

Niemeyer said Lake County property tax bills are to be mailed in mid-December and will be due in January. Talk of an extension for payment is "not a done deal," he said.

Covaciu said the tax bills are to be sent out Monday to mortgage companies, and residents will be urged to pay the bills before the end of the year.

"You can go to your local assessor and get a printout on your taxes and get them paid," Niemeyer said.

Resident Tom Johnson asked whether property owners could still appeal an assessment if they pay their taxes early, and Niemeyer said it wouldn't be a problem.

"When you do get your notice, visit your assessor," Niemeyer said, adding that residents who believe their assessment is too high, for example, can discuss that with the township assessor for possible resolution without entering the formal appeals process.