A recently introduced bill, rumored to be written by Senator Vaneta Becker (R – Evansville) and sponsored by State Representative Holli Sullivan (R – District 78), is set to increase local income taxes by .25 percent, an average of $107 per resident per year. The verbiage of House Bill 1487 indicates that Vanderburgh County would collect the anticipated $11 million influx in 2018 instead of the city.
Councilman Dan Adams (D – At-Large) said of the bill, “It seems awfully one-sided. It doesn’t make sense.”
Photo from Indianahouserepublicans.com
The House Bill would bring in funds to expand the over-crowded Vanderburgh County Jail, but Missy Mosby, President of City Council, along with most of the Council disagreed with the resolution. Other comments included that the finances needed for jail expansion can be appropriated by various other existing funds, and that the taxes, if collected by the city, could be used for Evansville’s First Responders and Public Safety.
According to City Council Vice President, Justin Elpers (R – 5th Ward), the tax hike would be one of the biggest tax increases in modern day Vanderburgh County. Elpers also expressed concern over adding the new tax increase upon citizens who are already enduring higher rate hikes in areas such as water and sewer.
Mosby indicated that the citizens of this city need to be aware of this Bill so that they can contact their representatives and voice their opinions.
The Vanderburgh County Commissioners will likely propose and vote on a resolution in favor of HB 1487 today at 3pm. The Evansville City Council will likely propose and vote on a resolution opposing HB 1487 at the next meeting, scheduled for February 6th.
Rep. Holli Sullivan is open to feedback from citizens of the county and city. To contact her, click the link in the sentence above or call 1-800-382-9841.
