Evansville and Vanderburgh County leaders are expressing concern over a bill to cut property taxes. WNIN’s John Gibson reports:
Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry, EVSC Superintendent David Smith and other city and county leaders say Indiana Senate Bill One – as it currently stands – would take too big a bite out of local services.
The Democratic mayor says residents do need property tax relief:
"But it cannot come at an expense of public safety, our schools and the services that make Evansville and Vanderburgh County a place where people want to live, work and invest."
Superintendent Smith notes the local school system has been more frugal than others across the state:
"Our tax rate is 213th out of 290, and we're the third largest school system in the state."
Smith suggested freezing property rates at 2021 levels. He also expressed concern about local power going to the state.
Republican County Commissioner Amy Canterbury agrees the senate bill needs work:
"Let's just get to the negotiation table, let's think about what can be best for City, County, EVSC and the public libraries. And also by all means the constituents that live here."
Before the news conference, GOP Commissioner Justin Elpers sent out a release supporting Governor Braun’s tax relief efforts.