Two of the three Bartholomew County commissioners say they are in favor of creating a new fund for the construction or improvement of major infrastructure projects.
Retiring commissioner Paul Franke said that, if approved, a cumulative capital improvement fund would be financed by an increase in property taxes of
4 cents per $100 of assessed valuation the first year, followed by up to 7 cents annually in subsequent years. The idea has yet to come to a vote, however.
During a meeting with commissioners Thursday, County Council President Bill Lentz said his council colleagues did not want to “stick their necks out” with a tax hike to fund a new county office annex building. But Franke said during Monday’s commissioners meeting that the commissioners can create the fund without the council’s approval.
“Yes, it’s going to be an additional tax,” Franke said. “But if we want to move ahead, somebody will have to take some lumps. Sometimes you have to do what you feel is best.”
