From the LaPorte Herald-Argus:
NIPSCO's 2010 tax assessment will increase by $14 million.
The Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals decided to take the next steps in acquiring attorneys with tax values and utility tax expertise to help the board in the upcoming appeals of Northern Indiana Public Service Company and Blue Chip Casino.
The PTABOA gave the approval to have Michigan Township Assessor Scott Bell issue Form 122 to NIPSCO with the 2010 statement, the same amount as the 2009, at $29 million, at their meeting last week. A Form 122 gives reasoning by the assessor as to why the assessment has been changed.
La Porte County Attorney Shaw Friedman said the county commissioners believe $15 million is too low and needs to at least be assessed at $29 million for 2010 and as the constant yearly assessment rate.
NIPSCO was assessed in the $15 million range from 2006 until the 2009 assessment, which was assessed at $29 million. Since the increased amount was a drastic change, NIPSCO appealed the 2009 assessment.
For the 2010 evaluation to be done, the PTABOA had to approve Bell to send out a Form 122 before Friday, hence the board meeting held on Thursday. The NIPSCO generating station property is considered Michigan Township territory, so Bell had to issue the form instead of county Assessor Mike Schultz.
NIPSCO will have 45 days to appeal the 2010 assessment. If appealed, Schultz will seek an appraisal on the county's local assessed portion of NIPSCO and add the new assessment before their hearing....
http://www.heraldargus.com/articles/2013/03/08/news/local/doc5137ecdc5ffa0412308306.txt
