02-11-85 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 11, 1985 WHEREAS, in order to continue to provide essential governmental services to all residents of St. Joseph County, Indiana; and; and in consideration of the Mayor's recommendation that there is a financial need to impose the County Option Tax in St. Joseph County. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: SECTION I. That the Common Council of the City of South Bend hereby casts its 45.41 votes for the proposed ordinance of the St. Joseph County Income Tax Council, which reads as follows: ORDINANCE NO. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT: The St. Joseph County Income Tax Council, pursuant to IC 6- 3.5 -6 -1 et sec.., has determined that it will be in the public interest to impose a county option income tax for St. Joseph County, Indiana. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE ST. JOSEPH COUNTY INCOME TAX COUNCIL OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA, as follows: SECTION I. The St. Joseph County County Option Income Tax on the County County Option Income Tax is imposed at (0.2 %) on the resident county taxpayer Five - Hundredths of one percent (0.05 %) taxpayers. This tax takes effect July Income Tax Council imposes the taxpayers of St. Joseph County. The a rate of Two - tenths of one percent of the County and at a rate of on all nonresident county 1 of this year, 1985. SECTION II. The tax Rate for subsequent years is as follows: Resident County Nonresident Taxpayers County Taxpayers 7/1/86 to 6/30/87 0.3% 0.075% 7/1/87 to 6/30/88 0.4% 0.1% 7/1/88 to 6/30/89 0.5% 0.125% 7/l/89 to 6/30/90 0.6% 0.15% and subsequent years. SECTION III. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the St. Joseph County Income Tax Council. SECTION II. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. /s/ Beverlie J. Beck Member of the Common Council Approved and signed by me this 11th day of February 1985, at 9;00 o'clock. /s/ Roger 0. Parent Roger 0. Parent, Mayor City of South Bend ATTEST: /s/ Irene Gammon Irene Gammon, City Clerk A public hearing was held on the resolutions at this time. Council Member Beck read both resolutions. She indicated that the telephone calls she had been receiving since proposing these resolutions are from homeowners that are excited about holding the line on taxes. She indicated that the City is in a position to furnish tax relief that they have not been able to offer for many years. She indicated it would appear to be a political liability not to pass this homestead credit. She indicated it is somewhat like the flat tax theory in that it would for a change draw into the.,, fold the countless numbers who are not paying taxes, but are enjoying the services; without paying a cent. She indicated that no other area in the state has offered more that a 2% homestead tax credit. She indicated this would be the only type of property tax relief we can expect for many years to come. She indicated this is not just another tax, it is a total restructuring of the tax load off the elderly, off the unemployed, and off the overburdened homeowner both city and county. She indicated that Social Security is not taxed, but interest and pensions are taxed. She indicated this was still an excellent tax restructuring, since in almost every case the tax credit overwhelmingly surpasses the small tax. Robert Schultz, 2405 E. Edison, Teamsters business agent, spoke in favor of this bill. Charles Hurley, Chief of Police, spoke in favor of this bill. John Leszczynski, City Engineer, spoke in favor of this bill. Steven Drendell, co -chair of Common Cause, spoke in favor of this bill. T. Brooks Brademas, 732 Lincolnway West, Mishawaka, indicated he paid approximately $400,00 a year in property taxes in St. Joseph County, of which about $150,000 are in the City of South Bend. He indicated that the recent state legislature eroded the system of property tax controls established in 1973. L n 1 L_J I I