{"id":72761,"date":"2018-07-19T14:00:53","date_gmt":"2018-07-19T18:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=72761"},"modified":"2018-07-19T14:00:53","modified_gmt":"2018-07-19T18:00:53","slug":"concerns-voiced-over-councils-personal-property-tax-proposal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2018\/07\/19\/concerns-voiced-over-councils-personal-property-tax-proposal\/","title":{"rendered":"Concerns voiced over Council’s personal property tax proposal"},"content":{"rendered":"

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News release from the City of Fort Wayne:<\/p>\n

Mayor Henry, Allen County taxing units, and community\/neighborhood leaders voice concerns over business personal property tax proposal<\/strong>
\nProposal could impact public services and schools and increase taxes<\/em><\/p>\n

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(July 19, 2018) – Leaders from the City of Fort Wayne, City of New Haven, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, Fort Wayne Community Schools, East Allen County Schools, Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corp. (Citilink), community leaders, and neighborhood advocates came together today at Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry’s office to voice concerns about a proposal that could negatively affect services provided to the public and schools and increase taxes for some homeowners. <\/p>\n

For a second time, a resolution has been introduced by members of the Fort Wayne City Council that would eliminate the business personal property tax on new business equipment. Because the majority of Allen County’s population is within the city limits of Fort Wayne, the council resolution would impact all of Allen County. A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for City Council’s meeting on July 24. This plan was originally proposed in 2016 and failed to receive enough votes to pass. <\/p>\n

The plan could save select businesses from paying certain taxes, which would shift the tax burden to local governments, schools and homeowners. Taxes collected on business personal property total over $55 million per year countywide to help fund police and fire protection, neighborhood infrastructure improvements, enhancements to parks, and assist school systems to educate children and provide other education initiatives, as well as to provide bus transportation. <\/p>\n

Although personal property taxes would be incrementally rolled back under the proposal, the plan provides for no designated mechanism to make up for the loss in revenue. Because of property tax caps, homeowners whose taxes are below 1 percent of assessed value could see a tax increase while also experiencing a reduction in services that those taxes pay for. <\/p>\n

Highlights of the projected property tax impact when fully implemented:<\/p>\n