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Finally, the real decision on a higher wheel tax for Allen County vehicle owners appears likely this week.
After a yearlong debate and a series of more recent votes by other governmental boards, the Allen County Council – the only government body with power to raise the tax – will take up the issue at its meeting Thursday.
Under an agreement between the county commissioners and city officials, the County Council would raise the tax, then the cities and towns would return about two-thirds of their shares to the county to pay for routine maintenance of smaller bridges in Fort Wayne, New Haven and the county’s other municipalities.
County officials had been talking about doubling the tax. But because of the vagaries of the wheel tax formula, county officials learned, that plan would not double the revenue. A more recent proposal would establish a flat $20 rate for cars and SUVs. Such a rate would mean higher taxes for people who own less expensive, older cars and lower taxes for owners of the most expensive models.
While the County Council could delay a vote, the tax has to be enacted by the end of the month to take effect in 2010.
Though no one likes higher taxes, and the fairness of the tax is questionable, it is the only practical option under consideration. The alternative – ignoring bridges – is unacceptable.
In a second meeting this week, County Council members on Wednesday will begin examining department budgets for 2010. Property tax limits, particularly the lower tax caps for individual property owners, will likely force noticeable cuts.
After much debate, the final government vote on the new location for the Charis House homeless shelter could come today.
Now that the Board of Zoning Appeals has ruled that the vacant property off Wells Street north of the St. Marys River is properly zoned for the building that provides a temporary home for homeless women and children, the only issue pending before the Plan Commission is the building’s site design plan.
Commission members may discuss their concerns about flooding and water backup, but Charis House appears on track to receive government approval and will be constructed.
City Redevelopment Director Greg Leatherman will give an update Tuesday on Harrison Square financing to City Council members, some of whom will likely press Leatherman on lack of progress on the retail/residential portion of the development.
Parkview Field is thus far a rousing success, and construction has begun on the Courtyard by Marriott hotel. But deadlines have come and gone, and there’s still not even a start to the building immediately north of the ballpark that is to house shops and restaurants on the first floor with a residential area above.
The Redevelopment Commission sent letters to the developers last week, but some council members – particularly John Shoaff – have been pushing for more aggressive action.
The good news? The hotel, which is crucial to the financing of Harrison Square, is now a certainty.
The Indiana General Assembly resumes work today on a two-year budget. Because spending bills must originate in the House, both chambers convened last week, but the Senate adjourned while House committee meetings continued.
In addition to the budget, House Bill 1001, lawmakers are considering a measure requiring an audit of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s so-called “modernization” project. The bill addresses problems related to the 10-year, $1.16 billion contract with IBM Corp. and Affiliated Computer Services to set up call centers to handle welfare-eligibility services.
Language in the bill requires FSSA officials to “cooperate” with the entity conducting the audit, which must be completed by Oct. 19.
