The Delaware County Commissioners spent Monday considering a new local tax to maintain and repair buildings in the county. But as IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports, residents told the officials to live within their means and to stop raising taxes.
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Delaware County doesn’t have what’s called a “cumulative capital development fund,” but commissioner Stephen Brand says 83 of Indiana’s 92 counties do. Brand said once
changes happen to taxes
at the state level, the fund would be used to maintain and repair county buildings, and if needed, build something new.
“At full rate, it would bring in about $1.3 million a year,” said Brand. “That’s the estimate. That is less than what we use now out of our economic development income tax to fund, to repair, and maintain our buildings.”
But residents objected to a new tax at a time when many people’s
property tax assessments
went up significantly, like Sandy Hunter.
“Like everyone else, my assessment went up on our house this year – $100,000. Our house is 22 years old,” she said in a public hearing on the proposed fund.
And like retired business owner Linda Michael.
“My suggestion to you is learn to live within your budget. And I would be happy to help you with that, because I know how to cut costs, and unfortunately, you have to lay people off, you have to consolidate, and you have to look at the reality of things.”
Commissioners then unanimously voted down the ordinance, striking creating the fund. Brand said they heard clearly from the public.
“They’ve given us our marching orders. They’ve told us to trim up our government.”
Read More: Indiana public schools stand to lose $1.8 billion over two years under property tax relief proposal
Because of tax changes made in a 2025 bill, Delaware County – like many counties – will lose millions of dollars in revenue from the state. By 2028, the state
Legislative Services Agency
says the loss will be $12.3 million. Delaware County
opposed the bill
before it passed.
Stephanie Wiechmann is the Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host for Indiana Public Radio. Contact her at
[email protected]
.
This article is republished as part of a collaborative content-sharing agreement between Ball State Unified Media and
Indiana Public Radio
, established to expand access to high-quality journalism and to better inform and serve the public through trusted, in-depth reporting.