From the Northwest Indiana Times:
A tax rate for the town’s parks would mean new projects and money for park upkeep.
But it would also mean a reduction in the tax draw shared by other town departments, Clerk Treasurer Pat Hawrot pointed out at a Dyer Town Council study session.
The Park Board has made a formal request for cumulative fund tax rate for the parks, something the town has never had before. All projects over the past few years, including refurbishing Pheasant Hills Park, have been accomplished with bond money.
The board hasn’t proposed specific numbers yet, but a cumulative fund tax rate could result in $15 to $29 paid per year by each resident, Park Board President Mike Kapitan said.
At this point ,the Park Board still has significant projects ahead of it, including developing Central Park. The $4 million park bond issue of several years ago has been nearly depleted by projects already accomplished.
The sticking point for any new tax rate benefiting the park department is the resulting increase would be taken out of Dyer’s present tax draw.
“We’re frozen,” said Town Attorney Bill Enslen, meaning that new taxes cannot be imposed.
If $15 per resident went to parks, $15 per person less would go to other town departments, like police.
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/dyer/dyer-weighs-merits-of-cumulative-fund-tax-rate-for-parks/article_1f5ecef7-d30f-5663-89b7-7ac3d8d837ba.html
