The Town Council has started in earnest a process that may establish a Park Board cumulative capital fund for the town’s parks.
The process will include public hearings. If the fund is established, a share of tax money will be earmarked for the parks.
If 30 or more Dyer residents object to the fund, their concerns will be heard downstate, Town Attorney Bill Enslen said at the April Town Council study session.
The fund ultimately would be established by the Department of Local Government Finance.
Dyer’s decision comes at a time when the Indiana General Assembly passed a bill that unfreezes Dyer’s tax levy. That bill still awaits the governor's signature. The Lake County Council and Board of Commissioners also are scheduled a vote on a proposed county income tax.
If the levy is unfrozen, a tax for the parks would draw money from other town departments, Clerk-Treasurer Pat Hawrot said.
If not, taxes for the fund could end up costing individual taxpayers between $12 and $30 per year.
...
The Town Council must pass an ordinance to create the fund. The council's next business meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
