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CITY OF SOUTH BEND ' OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> Mr. Parker answered, It starts with having a seat at the table with these kinds of discussions. It <br /> starts with the City of South Bend's voice being present around the conversation of assessments <br /> and property taxes. We shouldn't just be passively accepting of whatever property tax revenue we <br /> get. We should be going to meetings and discussing issues with the County. A great example over <br /> the last year and a half is that we have been working with the County on retail locations and their <br /> property tax value to ensure that South Bend has a part in the conversations with retailers in the <br /> community. <br /> City Clerk Kareemah Fowler asked,What areas would you look at when refining the projections? <br /> Mr. Parker answered, Property taxes are definitely a key in making sure we understand how our <br /> assessed valuation can translate into what our property tax value will be. We do obviously have <br /> property tax projections, but there have been years when we have gotten a lot more in property <br /> taxes or less than what we expected. Local Income Taxes are dependent on underlying economic <br /> factors. So, we need to have a better sense of the underlying economy in our City so we can better <br /> project what Local Income Tax revenue is. That is not only important from the revenue <br /> perspective,but also from the expenditure perspective so we know where to invest the money that <br /> we do have. <br /> Committeemember Voorde stated, When the State changed the assessment system,they went to a <br /> less objective system, but it is still replete with subjectivity. I think we need to work with the <br /> County to identify how they are applying the prescription. It's not easy and it's subjective. Even <br /> if your base is accurate in terms of the assessed values, from there it's still subjective. <br /> Mr. Parker followed up, So, just working with the Assessor's Office to understand how that <br /> assessment process is done will help with the first (1St) and second (2nd)points. We will work with <br /> both the Federal and State levels to see how that is done. It's a collaborative process. <br /> Councilmember Davis stated, Because there was a fear that because we know that the change is <br /> going to be made, that there was a push to almost overinflate and get all of the money from that. <br /> It was going to raise the property values so we can get more money in the government, so while <br /> we are pushing for accuracy, it can almost be seen the other way. <br /> Mr. Parker replied, The goal is not maximizing valuations. The goal is making sure that the <br /> assessment truly reflects the evaluations. <br /> Committeemember Broden asked, Doesn't the appeal process get to that? <br /> Councilmember Davis,The appeal process gets to it but the fear was people appealing too late and <br /> then the City or the County benefited from the miseducation of the voter. <br /> Mr. Parker went on, The goals are to understand the underline assessments. <br /> Committee Chair White stated, I probably recommend that we have a separate conversation and <br /> invite the Assessor in so we can really talk about it. This has been an issue that I have been hearing <br /> for the last five(5) or six(6) years. We need to have a conversation and really share our concerns. <br /> More importantly, how can we collaboratively have a discussion so we can get a better outcome <br /> that is fair across the board? <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 1227 W.Jefferson Bvld i South Bend,Indiana 466011p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 1 1D574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov <br /> 12 <br />