From the Northwest Indiana Times:
Porter County Auditor Bob Wichlinski said he intends to end the debate over when to start the tax abatement for the new Porter Regional Hospital by applying the tax breaks on next year's bill unless otherwise instructed by the County Council.
Wichlinski said the timing makes the most sense because it reflects the first full $244.5 million assessment of the new hospital at the northwest corner of Ind. 49 and U.S. 6.
The prior assessment of $34.2 million represented the hospital when it was 90 percent complete and unopened.
The County Council granted the tax abatement in 2009, but there has been debate over when to start the 10 years of tax breaks that diminish by 10 percent each year and who is to make that decision.
If the abatement is initiated earlier than next year's tax bill, the hospital will wind up paying more because the savings would start when the site had a smaller value and thus a smaller tax bill.
While some council members believe it has been up the auditor to decide when to initiate the abatement, Wichlinski said the estimated $12.4 million in tax breaks on the building and equipment are a deal between the council and the taxpayer.
"Any attempt to make the auditor responsible for this mess is shamefully misguided," he said in a written statement.
Officials at Porter Regional Hospital declined comment Friday on the issue.
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/duneland/auditor-prepared-to-enact-millions-in-hospital-tax-breaks/article_b6fb4a86-f265-5f49-a2ea-351f55ca99de.html
