From a lengthy article in the Jeffersonville News and Tribune:
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The debate over equitable funding of the New Albany-Floyd County Parks Department has sparked many reactions over the past year, especially after Gahan in April vetoed a new agreement that had been passed by the county and the New Albany City Council. According to city figures, New Albany has paid about $4 million more toward the parks department than the county since 2004. The city didn’t make up the county’s difference, and thus the parks budget was cut regularly for consecutive years.
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A portion of the funding differences stems from the lack of a county cumulative capital fund. The city established such a fund, and paid $685,625 into the account — which funds expenses such as construction and maintenance of the parks — from 2007 to 2011.
Parks officials approached the county this week about establishing the new tax. Parks board Vice Chairman Steve LaDuke said that while final numbers are being determined, early estimates are that the new levy would cost taxpayers between $5 to $8 a year.
The city’s cumulative fund generates about $125,000 annually, and parks officials said that if established, the county’s account should mirror that total.
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Bush said the commissioners will hold a public hearing, though he did not announce the date, so people can provide input on the new tax proposal. The cumulative capital fund must be approved by the commissioners, not the county council.
If approved, there would be a somewhat lengthy process that followed, including time for public comment. If more than 50 people state opposition to the new levy after it’s approved, the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance would hold a hearing on the matter.
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http://newsandtribune.com/business/x1047715185/Parks-still-a-sore-spot-for-New-Albany-Floyd-County
Earlier posts on this matter:
http://indianapropertytaxreporter.blogspot.com/2012/06/floyd-county-debates-new-tax-to-fund.html
http://indianapropertytaxreporter.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-albany-floyd-county-parks-board.html
http://indianapropertytaxreporter.blogspot.com/2012/05/floyd-county-and-new-albanys.html
