Illinois Judge Rules Law Requiring Internet Companies to Collect Sales Tax Unenforceable

Although not an Indiana issue, this ruling is interesting given the long-standing controversy over Amazon collecting sales tax in Indiana.

From the Northwest Indiana Times:

A Cook County judge has ruled against a state law that requires Internet companies to collect sales taxes on all transactions with Illinois customers.

Crain's Chicago Business reports (http://bit.ly/I64gTg) Judge Robert Lopez Cepero ruled Wednesday that the law isn't enforceable because there is a federal Internet tax moratorium through 2014. Cepero also found that just because a company has an affiliate in Illinois doesn't mean it has enough of a presence for tax purposes.

The 2011 law caused affiliates of websites like Amazon.com to relocate out of Illinois.

The Los Angeles-based trade group Performance Marketing Association brought the lawsuit. The group called the ruling "a victory." The Illinois Department of Revenue said it "respectfully" disagrees with the judge's ruling and is reviewing appeal options.

Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/judge-rules-against-illinois-online-tax-law/article_a8d52b3b-c502-57de-b748-c61a694a8e51.html#ixzz1t9ncaz5A

Westfield Plans Bond Sale to Finance Library Project

From the Indianapolis Star:

Westfield Washington Public Library is changing -- and it wants to share its plans with the public.
…

Among the things to look for: a dedicated computer lab, quiet study rooms, a community/library programming room and a dedicated area for teens.

…Plans call for the library to sell bonds to finance the $2 million project.

Library officials say the cost of the project will not lead to an increase in the local library tax rate.

The library's proposal will be formally presented at the Westfield City Council meeting May 14 for approval.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012204260330

Johnson County Plans Another Library Referendum After the Referendum on the Ballot in May

From the Indianapolis Star:

A $30 million referendum on the May 8 ballot would build a new library in Franklin -- but the tab would be shared by those outside the city limits.

The project proposes a modern library and a 250-space parking structure in the heart of downtown Franklin at Jackson and Jefferson streets. The 70,000-square-foot building would have two floors with rooms for seminars, conferences and meetings; a 24-hour drive-up drop box; a covered-porch reading room; and space for homework and group study.

The project also offers smaller improvements in the branch library in White River Township.

It would include a remodeled children's area and a new drive-up drop box, funded by $1 million set aside for improvements to existing buildings.

…

The library's long-range plans include another referendum to build a new White River branch in the coming years.

…

The referendum, if it passes, would add about $14 a year to the tax bill for a $100,000 home, according to Johnson County library officials.

According to the Library Board, median homes in Johnson County ($142,200) would pay $25.64 per year; businesses and rental properties valued at $100,000 would pay $42.60 per year; farmers would pay 64 cents per acre.

Voters who live in the Greenwood and Edinburgh library districts won't vote on the referendum. The decision will be made by roughly 67,000 of the county's 93,000 registered voters.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012204260326

Board Finds Purchase was Untimely and Taxpayer Failed to Show Property Over-Valued with Comparable Sales

Mr. Richeal did not offer the type of analysis contemplated by either the Manual or the Indiana Tax Court. In some cases, he simply asserted that the sold properties were comparable to the subject property. In other cases, he compared the sold properties to the subject property along a few lines, such as the sizes of the respective homes. More importantly, Mr. Richeal did little to explain how any relevant differences affected the properties’ relative values. Without a more reasoned analysis that complies with generally accepted appraisal principles, the sales data that Mr. Richeal pointed to does little to show the subject property’s market value-in-use.

That being said, Mr. Richeal did point to a home located at 2218 Jacobs Creek Run that he described as having a home that was identical to the subject home and that was listed for $118,000 on December 15, 2009. See Richeal testimony; Pet’r Ex. 8. While Mr. Richeal did not really compare the two homes’ features, the Assessor offered a property record card and photograph that arguably support Mr. Richeal’s description. See Resp’t Exs. 7-8. Even so, 2218 Jacobs Creek Run’s list price was almost two years after the January 1, 2008 valuation date that applies to the March 1, 2008 assessment under appeal. And neither Mr. Richeal nor Ms. Klein explained how the listing related to the subject property’s value as of that earlier valuation date. The listing information therefore lacks probative value.

 
Next, according to Mr. Richeal, Ms. Klein bought the subject property for $118,000 in May 2005. A property’s sale price can be compelling evidence of its market value-in-use. Once again, however, neither Ms. Klein nor Mr. Richeal explained how the subject property’s sale price related to its market value-in-use as of the January 1, 2008 valuation date that applied to the assessment under appeal. So, like the listing for 2218 Jacobs Creek Run, the subject property’s sale price lacks probative value.

http://www.in.gov/ibtr/files/Klein_02-072-09-1-5-00054.pdf

Revenue Sustains Taxpayer's Protest in Part Related to Depreciation and Net Operating Loss, But Denies Protest Related to Penalities Due to Taxpayer's Failure to Timely Respond to Document Requests

Taxpayer, incorporated in Indiana, engages in the leasing of commercial property. During the 2002-2007 years ("Tax Years"), Taxpayer owned and operated two properties located in Indiana. Taxpayer filed corporate income tax Form IT-20 returns with the Department of Revenue ("Department") for the 2003, 2004, and 2005 tax years... The Department did not receive any returns from Taxpayer for the 2002, 2006, and 2007 tax years.
...

 

To determine a taxpayer's Indiana adjusted gross income, Indiana begins with a taxpayer's federal taxable income, subject to modifications provided under IC § 6-3-1-3.5(b). During the hearing, Taxpayer provided documents modifying Taxpayer's claimed expenses pertaining to depreciation of certain real and personal property. Taxpayer's claims rely on adjustments to federal adjusted gross income allowed under Sections 167, 168, and 179 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

While the information provided by Taxpayer during the hearing was insufficient to demonstrate that the total depreciation deduction should be adjusted to Taxpayer's claimed amounts, the information does show that some of Taxpayer's claimed expenses could qualify for a deduction from Taxpayer's gross income. However, the Taxpayer has not provided information sufficient to support Taxpayer's depreciation expense claims related to certain items, such as a pontoon boat, jet skis, televisions, and a "book balance" line item. Therefore, the Department sustains Taxpayer's protest in part, to the extent that the information Taxpayer provided during the hearing for certain documented expenses attributable to each of Taxpayer's two buildings supports an increase in claimed deductions based upon depreciation and amortization. However, the Department denies Taxpayer's protest to the extent that the information provided by Taxpayer not only does not account for all of the depreciation taken on the federal return, but also fails to adequately justify deduction of amounts attributable to the above-mentioned items.

...

 

Taxpayer has provided sufficient documentation to demonstrate the possible validity of some of Taxpayer's expense deductions. Therefore, the Department sustains Taxpayer's protest in part, subject to audit verification, for the NOL carryback of some of Taxpayer's claimed expenses, but denies in part as to the total NOLs claimed on Taxpayer's Schedule IT-20NOL statements.

...

 

Taxpayer protests the Department's imposition and assessment of two penalty amounts added to Taxpayer's income tax liabilities for the Tax Years.

...

 

While the Department commends Taxpayer on its efforts to maintain its own working relationship with its accounting firm, Taxpayer's failure to provide documentation in response to Department's numerous requests during the Department's audit did not meet the duty of reasonable care expected of a taxpayer.

 

Further, if the taxpayer fails to pay the full amount of tax due on the tax return on or before the due date of the return, or make estimated income tax payments pursuant to IC § 6-3-4-4.1, the tax due is subject to penalty and interest. Taxpayer failed to file returns for three of the Tax Years. Taxpayer did not file those returns until it received the Department's notice. Taxpayer has not provided information or explanation sufficient to show reasonable cause for the abatement of negligence or underpayment penalties.

 

 

http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20120425-IR-045120166NRA.xml.html

 

 

New Projections Lower Monroe County Deficit

From the Bloomington Herald Tribune:

Recent errors discovered in Monroe County’s 2012 revenues mean both good and bad news, Monroe County Council President Geoff McKim told the council the Tuesday night, and the good outweighs the bad.

Monroe County’s operating budget will end 2012 much less in the red than originally planned despite an auditor’s office error in property tax calculations and thanks to an error in income taxes withheld by the state. The county could even end the year in the black if the council continues to delay filling job vacancies, McKim said.

Last fall, the county council approved a $29.4 million operating budget that reflected expenditures exceeding projected revenues by $2.9 million. The county has around $12 million in cash reserves that could cover the deficit, but the council would prefer to keep that fund as fat as possible for as long as possible.

Two errors revealed earlier this month have repainted the county’s operating budget projections, however.

On April 6, local government officials throughout Indiana were both elated and frustrated to learn that the state Department of Local Government Finance had miscalculated local income taxes and erroneously withheld $206 million. Taxing units in Monroe County, including the city of Bloomington and the county government, would be getting more than $6.6 million dollars that the state had wrongfully kept in 2011 and 2012.

Monroe County government’s share of unexpected county option income tax revenues would be $2.5 million, which would nearly address the operating budget deficit.

But on April 19, it was discovered that an error in calculating assessed values and property taxes would result in a $990,000 revenue shortfall for county taxing units, of which the county would be hit by more than $170,000, including $120,000 less for County General.

The bottom line: The county’s revised deficit projection is $774,000, according to McKim’s calculations.

The good news continues: The deficit projection doesn’t include funds that will revert to County General, appropriated but unspent by departments. In 2009, $2.4 million reverted; in 2010, $1.7 million reverted, and in 2011, $900,000 was returned to county general. Such reversions are also expected in 2012, but the exact amount is unknown.

If the county continues its policy of delaying filling job vacancies and collects some unspent funds form departments, the county’s operating budget could actually go from red to black, McKim said.
...

http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/stories/2012/04/25/news.new-projections-paint-monroes-operating-budget-rosier-less-red.sto

(This is a paid article)

Editorial Calls for Lessened Dependence on Casino Revenue

From the South Bend Tribune:

Indiana wasn't wrong in finding a new revenue stream and jobs from casinos, riverboats and horse tracks. What's wrong, however, was betting that the influx of gambling tax dollars would rescue a foundering state economy.

Yet that revenue lifeboat has seemingly been the state's only creative response in finding new tax revenues -- some $800 million a year from casinos alone.

Next month, Ohio's first casino is to open in Cleveland. Three more are on the horizon. That means that Buckeyes who come to gamble in the Hoosier state may keep their gambling dollars at home.

The Indiana Casino Association predicts a $200 million to $300 million annual loss in gross gambling revenues. State budget analysts expect a $100 million annual loss in gambling tax revenues.

Already, admissions to the state's casinos have dropped to their lowest level since 1997. As Ohio comes online, Indiana can expect more drops in attendance.

...

In less than 20 years, rosy predictions have fallen to gloomy forecasts. Hoosiers will be asked to replace those dwindling dollars in order to save state and community services. The forecasts are in; it's time for elected officials to find new revenue streams without breaking Hoosiers' backs.
...

http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/opinion/sbt-dont-rely-on-casino-payout-20120425,0,5406142.story

Elkhart County Tax Bills Out

From the Elkhart Truth:

Elkhart County property tax bills for this year have been mailed.

The first installment is due May 10, and the second installment is due Nov. 13.

Several area banks accept property tax payments including Lake City, 1st Source, First State Bank of Middlebury, Indiana Community, Old National and Interra Credit Union.

Bills can also be viewed and paid online at www.invoicecloud.com/elkhart.

Taxpayers who do not receive their bills should contact the Treasurer’s Office at 535-6759 or email treasurer@elkhartcounty.com. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. County offices will be open May 8, primary Election Day.

The County Auditor’s Office can be reached at 535-6710 for questions about deductions.

For information on assessed values in Concord Township call the Concord Township Assessor’s Office at 523-2217.

For information on assessed values for all other property in the county call the County Assessor’s Office at 535-6700.

http://www.etruth.com/article/20120425/NEWS01/704259955/0/FRONTPAGE

Vigo County Gets its Tax Bills Out On Time

From the Terre Haute Tribune Star:

In February, Vigo County Auditor Tim Seprodi voiced concern the county faced a possibility of sending out “provisional tax bills” as it had not received tax information from the state. “The Department of Local Government Finance stepped up quite a bit and moved us up the priority list,” Seprodi said. “They brought in extra people to help this region of the state.”

With the necessary tax documentation, Seprodi said, his office then worked “to ensure corrections were made and tax figures were accurate. I have to give credit to my staff,” he said, pointing out deputy auditor Cheryl Loudermilk and chief deputy Kylissa Miller. “The work they did saved the county about $60,000 by not having to send out provisional tax bills,” Seprodi said.

Vigo County Treasurer David Crockett said all of the tax bills were mailed Monday, after about 300 bills were processed at the county annex for bulk mailing. “It was cheaper for us to do that here on some tax bills,” Crockett said.

Spring property tax bills are due May 10, fall tax bills on Nov. 10. Taxpayers who desire can pay for both installments in May. The county treasurer’s office will be open for extended hours starting May 4 for taxpayers to pay at the Vigo County Government Annex at First and Oak streets. The extended hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 4, 7, 9 and 10. The office is open May 5, a Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The office is closed May 8 due to the Primary Election.

http://tribstar.com/local/x130094893/Property-tax-bills-in-the-mail

Fort Wayne Community and East Allen County Schools Seek Referendums on the May Primary Ballot

From the Fort Wayne News Sentinel:

On May 8, constituents of two area school districts will decide the fate of school improvement projects. Referendums will appear on the ballots of voters in Fort Wayne Community Schools and East Allen County Schools. Both referendums have been a long time coming: FWCS, with its failed building project several years ago, hasn't had any major upgrades since and EACS redesign project when it was approved in late 2010 required closing, consolidation and building rehab.

FWCS board member John Pierce said this time around, the referendum process feels much different.
...

Pierce, the rest of the board and the district are hoping for a different result this year than in 2007, the last time the district placed a referendum question on the ballot.

When that $500 million project was voted down, the district took lessons learned and have applied them to the upcoming $119 million referendum.

The $119 million will pay for improvements at 36 schools including roof section replacements, chiller additions, HVAC upgrades and classroom improvements.

The project focuses on 10 school buildings that will receive the most major renovations: Snider High School, Memorial Park and Jefferson middle schools, and Weisser Park, Haley, Croninger, Harris, Bloomingdale and Irwin elementary schools.

The total also includes some roof catch-ups at 28 buildings - including five of the 10 mentioned above - window and masonry work at eight buildings and the addition of chillers at six buildings.
While the project begins to address the district's needs, all schools still won't be fully air conditioned, and work will still be needed at other buildings in the coming years.

Additional phases will be voted on in later years, with new debt adding after old debt falls off keeping the tax rate level. This first phase will increase a homeowner's tax bill about $27 for a home with an assessed value of about $90,000.
...

East Allen County Schools is going back to constituents for a second time in two years, hoping for a tax increase to support the district.

The $8 million referendum for operating expenses in 2010 was defeated by a staggering majority.

On May 8, EACS voters will say yes or no to an almost $89 million project which includes a renovated New Haven Intermediate School at the current site of Park Hill Learning Center, additions at New Haven High School to accommodate seventh- and eighth-graders and renovations at the former Harding High School to create East Allen University.

The project by itself is expected to raise the taxes of a homeowner with an assessed value of $100,000 by $67 per year.

But Woodlan-area voters have approved a $10.8 million project for renovations at the Woodlan K-12 campus. A final count of signatures hasn't been released in the remonstrance petition drive for the $11.9 million building project in the Heritage area, but preliminary numbers showed strong support for the project.

If all three projects are approved, it would raise the taxes on a $100,000 home by about $83 a year.
...


http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120425/NEWS/120429739/0/SEARCH

Merrillville Council Appropriates Funds for Park Equipment and Approves Bond Issue for Road Repair

From the Northwest Indiana Times:

The Town Council on Tuesday unanimously decided to appropriate $75,000 from the cumulative capital development fund to a park equipment replacement program.

A recent inspection of town parks indicated there are safety concerns with equipment at Stefek, Forest Hills and Pruzin parks.
...

Councilmen also are contemplating having an auction to sell sparsely used park property.
Hendricks Park could be among the properties the town could sell.
...

Eliminating park property would reduce maintenance costs for Merrillville.

Councilmen expect to continue discussing park property next month.

In other business, councilmen adopted two ordinances authorizing a $1.9 million bond issue and appropriating the proceeds.

Merrillville will use the funds to repair town roads. The funds will be evenly distributed throughout the town's seven wards. Councilmen are expected to meet with Spires to determine which roads will receive improvements.

As a result of the tax-backed bond, property taxes are estimated to increase. For an owner of a home assessed at $130,000, taxes would increase about $16 each year.


Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/merrillville/m-ville-lines-up-funding-to-replace-equipment-at-parks/article_068f4b03-8df8-52bf-9bed-42dd767101a9.html#ixzz1t5arOTXg

Township Trustee Foregoes Collecting Property Taxes

From the Northwest Indiana Times:

A township trustee in northeastern Indiana won't be collecting any property taxes this year, saying the township has plenty of money in the bank.

DeKalb County's Union Township ended 2011 with $257,000 in operating fund reserves and about $157,000 in its poor relief fund, enough to last more than five years without collecting taxes, Trustee Craig Bassett told The Star of Auburn for a story Wednesday ( http://bit.ly/JyRx0v).

Those surpluses have been built up over many years and changes in state rules enable the township not to collect taxes, Bassett said.

"Now, we can lower or zero our tax levy for a fund without being locked into that levy forever," he said.

The large surpluses held by some of the roughly 1,000 township governments around the state have come under fire from Gov. Mitch Daniels and others who have unsuccessfully pushed in recent years for legislators to consolidate or eliminate townships.

Bassett said he would support more limits on township tax revenues.
...


Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/state-and-regional/indiana/ne-indiana-township-collecting-no-taxes-this-year/article_dc89eb2b-4b95-5525-a44f-adb036c5ffb7.html#ixzz1t5YKCUzP

Selected Furniture Offered Tax Credits for Relocation to Knox

From INside Indiana Business:

Selected Furniture, LLC, a manufacturer of commercial furniture, announced plans today to relocate its operations from Chicago, Ill. to here, creating up to 100 new jobs by 2014.

The company, which supplies customers in the fast food, quick-service and fine dining industries, will invest $1.22 million to purchase and equip a 200,000 square-foot facility located at 1001 W. Culver Ave. Selected Furniture will also relocate its China-based commercial-grade wood furniture manufacturing to this facility, which is slated to be operational in the coming months.
...

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Selected Furniture, LLC up to $425,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $87,500 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The Knox City Council approved additional property tax abatement at the request of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation.

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?id=53361

RepuCare Offered Tax Credits for Expansion in Indianapolis

From the Indianapolis Business Journal:

RepuCare Inc., a health care staffing firm, said on Wednesday that it plans to expand its Indianapolis headquarters, creating up to 82 jobs by 2015.

The company said it will lease 4,000 square feet at 9245 N. Meridian St. and will furnish the space with new information technology, telecommunications systems and furniture.
...

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered RepuCare, Inc. up to $1.23 million in tax credits and up to $75,000 in training grants based on the company's job-creation plans. The city of Indianapolis plans additional incentives.
http://www.ibj.com/indianapolis-health-care-staffing-firm-to-add-up-to-82-jobs-/PARAMS/article/34034

Board Finds Assessor Failed to Meet its Burden to Prove Taxpayer's Assessment Correct

Turning to the case at hand the subject property’s record card shows that the county or township assessor had assessed the property for only $208,900 on March 1, 2007. The PTABOA, however, determined the property’s March 1, 2008, assessment at $604,100, an increase of well more than 5%. The Assessor therefore had the burden of proving that the subject property’s March 1, 2008, assessment was correct.

…

The Assessor did little to show the subject property’s market value-in-use. She primarily relied on the sale prices of three nearby properties that sold between 2005 and 2007. The Assessor’s witness, Ms. Olinger, showed that the three properties were located near the subject property. But she did not meaningfully compare the properties in terms of any other characteristics that would tend to affect their relative market values-in-use See Long v. Wayne Twp. Assessor, 821 N.E.2d 466, 471-72 (Ind. Tax Ct. 2005) (holding that sales data lacked probative value where taxpayers failed to explain how the characteristics of their property compared to the characteristics of purportedly comparable properties or how any differences between the properties affected their relative market values-in-use). Thus, the Assessor’s sales data lacks probative value.

Ms. Olinger also ... pointed to the fact that the PTABOA applied negative influence factors to the subject land to account for various things that affect its value. But she offered nothing to show how the PTABOA quantified those influence factors, much less to show that, once applied, those factors brought the property’s assessment in line with its market value-in-use.

Because the Assessor did not offer probative evidence to support the subject property’s assessment, she failed to meet her burden of proof. Ordinarily, that would require that the property’s March 1, 2008 assessment be reduced to the previous year’s level of $208,900. But the Drivers requested an assessment of $265,300 based on Mr. Schnepf’s appraisal. Under those circumstances, the Board will not reduce the subject property’s assessment below that amount.

http://www.in.gov/ibtr/files/Driver_76-002-08-1-5-00005.pdf

Wayne County Property Tax Bills Out

From the Richmond Palladium-Item:

Wayne County property statements were mailed last week, and owners have a variety of ways to pay their bills by the May 10 due date.

Tax bills may be paid in person at the county treasurer's office in the Wayne County Administration Building or by mail to the Wayne County Treasurer, 401 E. Main St., Richmond, IN 47374.

Cash, checks or money orders are acceptable payment forms when paying in person.

Property taxes also may be paid at several local banks, including branches in Hagerstown, Centerville and Cambridge City.

Banks accepting property tax payments include branches of First Bank Richmond, Wayne Bank and Trust and West End Bank. A small additional fee is charged for payments made at a bank.

Taxes also may be paid be credit card by calling (866) 636-3868 or online at Point and Pay for an additional fee of 2.95 percent of the taxes, with a $2 minimum.

A link is available on the county's website at www.co.wayne.in.us/treasurer

Wayne County also offers a monthly payment plan by automatic bank account deductions.

For a complete listing of bank branches accepting property tax payments or more information on the monthly payment program, visit the county treasurer's website.

http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012204240306

State Representative Advocates "Bipartisan Effort" to Get Out Property Tax Bills in LaPorte

From the LaPorte Herald-Angus:

State Rep. Tom Dermody, R-La Porte, said everyone needs to be held accountable, to get involved and say "enough is enough," from the township to the county to the state as well as getting the voters involved.

Dermondy said the county tax situation is difficult because the county wasn't doing its job and people were fired, so he and others in a "bipartisian effort" want to get the property tax bills out, pushing for 2013.

The assessment mess also poses problems for businesses coming into the communities because a property tax history is not available since 2007-08.

Having tax bills back five years, the last of the 92 counties in the state, "We are the only ones behind," Dermondy said. "This has nothing to do with politics. This is about a county moving everybody forward."
...

http://heraldargus.com/articles/2012/04/24/news/local/doc4f949057e8827221888298.txt

Revenue Issues Warrants for Unpaid Taxes to Bunker Hill

From the Kokomo Tribune:

The Indiana Department of Revenue has issued 17 warrants for unpaid taxes to Bunker Hill this year totaling nearly $23,000.
...

The delinquent taxes come from the town and the Bunker Hill water company and sewage works.

The Department of Revenue also has issued a slew of tax warrants dating back to December 2010. They remain unpaid.

Chetrice Mosley, senior communications specialist with the DOR, said although warrants have been issued for payment, the actual amount owed may be much less. She said if Bunker Hill hasn’t filed taxes or didn’t file for the last few filing periods, the DOR estimates the bills based on past filing numbers.

If the town can produce completed and updated filings for the missing tax periods or other documentation showing the taxes have been paid, the amounts on the warrants would change and possibly disappear, Mosley said.

But that could be a problem for Bunker Hill.

Betzner said she filed the necessary paper work with the state, but council member Jeanne Lemieux said Betzner is unable to produce proof that the taxes have been filed or paid.
...

Even if the correct tax documentation can be produced and the total delinquent tax amount drops, Mosley said tax warrants can come with penalty fees, assessed interest and agency fees which Bunker Hill may be required to pay.

Lemieux and town board president Bruce McEntyre said they are working with Betzner to solve the tax situation, noting the town did pay $15,000 on a tax warrant in February.

To add to its financial woes, Bunker Hill still has not received approval from the state on its 2012 budget.

Lemieux said the town was set to receive a $50,000 revitalization grant from the state, but officials have frozen the money until a budget for 2012 is approved and adopted.
...

http://kokomotribune.com/local/x296816147/State-issues-warrants-for-unpaid-taxes-in-Bunker-Hill

Greenwood Considers Incentive for Prime Distribution Services Facility

From the Indianapolis Business Journal:

A distribution company that specializes in handling food for retailers has outgrown its Plainfield space and plans to take up another 400,000 square feet in Greenwood.

Prime Distribution Services Inc. is considering a long-term lease at the Precedent South Business Park, where $6.1 million would be spent on lease and building improvements.

Prime Distribution estimates that it would add 35 employees by 2016. Johnson County Development Corp. CEO Cheryl Morphew noted that the expected pay range—$17.88 per hour to $20.26 per hour—is above the county’s average for the industry, which is $17.43 per hour.

Morphew also noted that the lease would make the warehouse at 760 Commerce Parkway East Drive fully occupied. Most of the capital improvements will be made by Prime Distribution, but building owner AP Commerce Parkway LLC could be reimbursed for $125,000 of its expenses by the city of Greenwood.

The Greenwood Redevelopment Commission will conduct a special meeting Wednesday morning to consider the incentive. Greenwood would tap its tax-increment financing district revenue to pay for the incentive.

http://www.ibj.com/growing-distributor-to-expand-into-greenwood/PARAMS/article/34020

Seymour Considers Abatements for Cummins Expansion

From the Indianapolis Business Journal:

Cummins Inc. announced Tuesday morning that it will add 290 jobs at its Seymour high-speed diesel engine plant by 2015 as part of a $219 million expansion.

The Columbus-based manufacturer of diesel engines said the expansion will include new warehouses, additional engineering, production and testing facilties, and a cylinder block production line.

Cummins also plans to construct a new office building to house up to 500 employees and build a manufacturing facility for components of high-horsepower engines. More staff parking also is planned.
...

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. said it will provide Cummins with up to $250,000 in training grants based on the company’s job-creation plans. The city of Seymour will consider additional property-tax abatements.
...

Cummins’ latest expansion in Seymour follows an announcement in 2010 in which the company said it would add 200 jobs by 2015 at the plant as part of its plans to add a new large-engine platform.

http://www.ibj.com/cummins-plans--219-million-expansion-at-seymour-plant/PARAMS/article/34017