CROWN POINT | A Lake County councilman -- whose vote could make a 1 percent income tax a reality -- is leaning toward dropping his opposition to the tax if an important condition is met.
Councilman Ted Bilski said Monday he could reluctantly vote for an income tax that is "100 percent" used to reduce the property taxes of homeowners. The council has scheduled a vote on the tax for 4 p.m. today.
The council gave initial approval -- by a 4-3 margin -- last month to an ordinance authorizing a personal income tax on all county residents, workers and some business investors.
The ordinance would set aside more than half of the $78 million the income tax would generate as property tax relief to homeowners and the remainder to landlords of rental properties of four units or less. However, the council can amend the distribution formula today.
Bilski, who voted against the tax last month, said Monday, "If it goes 100 percent to homesteaders, I can support it."
Bilski's vote may be needed to override an expected veto of the tax by the Lake County Board of Commissioners, which meets Wednesday.
Bilski said he is afraid Lake County would be left out of any future property tax relief packages passed by the state Legislature if Lake remains the only county in the state without an income tax.
"I still want to talk to Chet Dobis, but we are isolated up here," Bilski said. "It's sad, but we will get no cooperation from the General Assembly unless we do this."
State Rep. Chet Dobis said Monday night he talked with Bilski, who hadn't yet made a final decision.
Councilman Larry Blanchard, R-Crown Point, a staunch income tax opponent, said his calculations indicate East Chicago, Gary, Griffith, Hammond, Highland, Hobart, Lake Station, Merrillville and New Chicago "are going to get creamed by the income tax."
He said residents of those communities will pay out millions more in income tax than they would receive in property tax reductions.
Bilski said he has seen calculations by the council's financial consultant that look more encouraging than Blanchard's.
