From the Lafayette Journal and Courier:
The West Lafayette City Council will begin tackling its 2013 budget at Monday’s meeting.
Council members discussed the budget Thursday during their pre-council meeting, and Clerk-Treasurer Judy Rhodes addressed questions. The budget will be advertised between Aug. 10 and Aug. 18.
Because of Indiana’s laws about local government budgets, it’s difficult to speak in absolutes this early in the process.
The city will advertise a budget that proposes to spend $7.8 million in the general fund, but figuring in estimates after the property tax circuit breaker kicks in, the city is expecting to levy $6.6 million.
The estimated tax rate for the city is 87.09 cents per every $100 of assessed value; the 2012 rate is 84.02 cents.
But figuring in assessed values isn’t possible at this point because the figures aren’t complete. So if West Lafayette’s assessed values go up, the property tax rate for the city will be lower, Rhodes said.
If, however, the assessed values for the city drops, the city’s property tax rate will go up.
The council will have its first reading of the ordinance on Monday. A public hearing will be scheduled for Sept. 4.
http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012308020081
