Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 74, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 December 1919 — DON’T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE [ARTICLE]

DON’T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE

New Tax Law Muddle Is Causing Much Uneasiness. Indianapolis, Dec. 10.—-Until the state board of tax commissioners ascertains the definite status of the Marlon county tax situation it may no move to readjust tax levies for the various taxing jurisdictions In the county, it seemed probable today. The board may await the decision of the supreme court, which decision it is hoped to obtain before Jan. 1, and if the higher court affirms the decision of Judge Linn D. Hay, Marlon superior court, Friday, that the board did not have authority to Increase tax valuations horizontally, the question again may receive consideration by the board. If the supreme court reverses the lower court there will be no need of levy readjustments. The tax board’s position has been sustained by decisions of other Indiana courts of equal jurisdiction with the Marlon court.

City and county officials have presented to the board figures to show that because of the court decision, which in effect greatly reduced total assessments, tax levies as they now stand will produce much less revenue than necessary. At a conference with the tax board Friday afternoon city officials said the civil city will be >650,000 short; school officials said they will be >450,000 short; county officials, >IBO,OOO short, and the state will receive >170,000 less from the county. The officials recognize that a highly complex situation has been precipitated and that if the higher court sustains the lower court decision a special session of the legislature may be necessary to straighten out the tangle. The legal time within which the tax board has authority to change tax levies will expire at midnight tonight. Emsley W. Johnson, attorney for the Washington and Pike township farmers who won their case in the lower court, was expected to petition the board formally today on behalf of the township trustees and their advisory boards to readjust the levies. The city school t ind county officials, at the conference with the board Friday, Informally petitioned the board to readjust the levies so that If the lower court were sustained the situation could be cleared up with less trouble. The tax board, however, may decide to stand by the original action and not make a change unless the supreme court decides against It. If the supreme court Should hold that the board had no authority to Increase valuations as It has In nearly every taxing jurisdiction in the stale, the situation in Marlon county will obtain In each of the other counties and will require tax levy adjustments of some sort In practicaliy every taxing jurisdiction in Indiana. The task would fall heavily on state board, county auditors and many other officials; who have to do with tax valuations and levies.