Comments on: HCAAN Press Release Regarding Annexation Lawsuit

By: stealth

stealth — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:53:05 +0000

Again, jrwskw, what properties are you citing? You say you compared properties. Lets see them.

The previous poster cited that a councilman and Pam Updike indicated property taxes in this area would go up 52%. Which would mean $500-600 for most of the residents of this area.

You haven’t cited anything. And you’re information is public record. Lets see it. Or we will just go with our previous assumption that you are ignorate of the situation.

By: jrwskw

jrwskw — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:01:41 +0000

stealth-Anyone spouting the $500-$600 lie doesn’t realize its public information. Thats where I got it, from the Huntington County information on the Beacon site. Anyone can go there and compare and discover the truth. I guess its a moot point now since the Mayor caved to these folks.

By: stealth

stealth — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:30:46 +0000

Are we talking about acres? or Tenths of acres? The annexed area has both. It has traditional home plots that are 0.1 ac and farm properties that are 10-50 ac. I think it makes a difference when we are talking about the tax burden placed on individuals.

I’m not sure what jrwskw has against people not wanting to pay higher taxes and receive nothing for it.

Lets look at the property cards of what jrwskw is citing. It public information.

By: jrwskw

jrwskw — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:24:46 +0000

Source of your information, countyresident?

By: countyresident

countyresident — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:47:38 +0000

In response to 21yrhuntingtonnative and jrwskw, especially the latter–

If the annexation had been approved, my taxes would have gone up $500-$600. I do not own a fancy house. I bought it 36 years ago for under $15000. I have worked hard to improve it and make it better and more comfortable. I believe I pay too much in taxes now. (Sounds to me like your house might be under-valued by the assessor. Maybe they should take another look at your taxes to see if you are paying your fair share.) If you agree to pay an additional $500-$600 and not receive any benefits for it, then I might be more inclined to see the city’s point of view.

By: jrwskw

jrwskw — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 15:11:03 +0000

Don’t look for a response to that one. But, I’ll help. Comparing my property taxes to a comparable property in the formerly proposed annexation area:

Mine now-$682.92, in the city.

Theirs now-$570.68, not in the city.

That is probably the magnitude of increase we’re talking about across the board.

By: 21yrhuntingtonnative

21yrhuntingtonnative — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:42:20 +0000

I concede to only reading all the information available on this site and h-ponline and it not happening directly to me. However, could you explain the 52% increase to me and how much of a dollar increase that will be on your taxes? Thanks.

By: countyresident

countyresident — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:50:36 +0000

In response to 21yrhuntingtonnative, you need to get your facts straight. First of all, the $177 tax increase that you refer to has nothing to do with the annexation. That amount is the average increase per person for the recently passed LOIT tax increase. As for tax increases, my taxes would have increased by 52% as figured by a councilman and the mayor’s administrative assistant if the annexation had passed.

I keep hearing about all these city services that I am receiving and not paying for. Let’s take a look at these. Let’s start with sewer. About 11 years ago the residents in my area paid the construction costs to run the sewer line to our area (yes WE PAID for it) not because we wanted to but because we were forced to do it. How about water? Most residents of the area are on their own wells. However, city water lines have been run out our way. Why? Because the hospital and Crestview school wanted to locate here. They paid for the construction of the water lines. Oh, by the way, any County residents connected to water or sewer pay the same rates as everyone else in the city.

Let’s continue with Police protection. We are protected by the Sheriff’s department and pay taxes for it. (By the way, I was told by the city police that they could NOT patrol in the county without a specific request from the Sheriff.)

How about fire protection? I believe that fire protection is provided by the city but paid for by Huntington Township. Again paid for by our TOWNSHIP taxes.

Road maintenance-provided by the COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPT.
Garbage pick up-provided by independent contractors which we pay.
Library service-Last time I looked it was the Huntington City-TOWNSHIP Public Library. This means township taxes again.

So, 21yrhuntingtonnative, tell me what services are we getting for free? WE ARE PAYING OUR FAIR SHARE.

By: 21yrhuntingtonnative

21yrhuntingtonnative — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:39:05 +0000

Per Zuk and Snyder, we’re talking about a $177 dollar increase in tax to some who already have the services they have been getting for free and for those who don’t the services they should have in order to grow a city. No, I’m not in favor of raising taxes on a federal level b/c you generally don’t get to see where it actually goes and that when we’re talking thousands, not a hundred bucks. Local taxes, you get to see exactly where it goes and that’s the issue here. People don’t feel they will see $177 dollars in services. So when services are needed from fire/police, and the county team is working an accident on I-69 the local police should respond and then send a bill to this homeowner? How about that? I’m totally in favor of that…how outraged would you be at a nice senior woman calling the police b/c someone was outside her house and the local police have to respond. They do, soothe her feers and then send her a bill for $400 dollars for the cost of a response since the county may have been tied up. Just plain silly all this stuff.
I think if you go back to any administration you’ll find some family members involved somewhere. I can’t say that I like it, but if they actually have a skill I’m fine with it. If there is clear nepotism, shout it from the rooftops and let the family member find a job in the real world like the rest of us.
All for $177 dollars…..I suppose the Hardy boys(Z&S) have probably spent that in gas costs driving around trying to ante up support to knock this over. Time and money well spent gentlemen.
The Hardy boys and HCAAN may have won, but at what cost? Finding balance is key. Give an honest, transparent view of government positions and make an assessment of what should get cut. Before you cut those people’s livelihood. Seek help from the community as to who might be able to hire them on. Cut a position in each group, fine, but add the Huntington touch, but phasing it out or helping the person find a new job/career. That’s honest work. Then as Huntington grows, maybe we bring that position back. There is a way to do this, without standing in the way of progress. Republicans, Democrats and Indies need to go to other cities in Indiana, like Westfield, Noblesville, and Fishers to see how this has worked for them. They all have annexed and it wasn’t pretty in the beginning, but wow, how things turn out ok.
Huntington also needs to find a niche. I know the Wabash River is not the Ohio or the Gulf of Mexico, but how about making the banks of the Wabash an area where people want to go to…Restaurants, music, and the like. Not a parking lot close to the river, but on the river…is that money well spent to make walking or biking areas and stop for a cup of coffee or enjoy a drink on a balcony that overlooks the Wabash. Again, I know, its not the most beautiful river, but it is one and most cities capatalize on their waterways.
Good luck Huntington, I wish you all well and remember your leaders really want what’s best for Huntington. Hard to see that in the moment sometime, but step back and look at Bob Kyle and Terry Abbett…even if you didn’t like them, you have to be able to look back and say they did try and did have their heart in the right place….and that’s to see Huntington succeed and prosper.

By: jrwskw

jrwskw — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:33:03 +0000

Seth-I would think this whole anti-Updike cabal is working hand-in-hand even if its behind the scenes.