Plan to postpone LaPorte County spring property tax bill headed to governor

INDIANAPOLIS | All that stands between LaPorte County property owners and one less tax bill this year is the signature of Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

Valpo, Center Twp. try to create fire territory again

VALPARAISO | A year after the Valparaiso City Council and the Center Township Board thought they approved the creation of a fire territory, they did it again Monday.

Plenty of hearings but nobody speaking in Valpo

VALPARAISO | The City Council held five public hearings on different issues, most involving spending tax money, at Monday's meeting without garnering any public comments.

House votes 97-0 for LaPorte tax bill breather

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana House agreed Monday that LaPorte County property owners deserve to get one less tax bill this year after paying four years' worth over the past few months.

Tax cut for farmers is first legislation going to Pence

INDIANAPOLIS | A temporary property tax cut for Hoosier farmers is the first measure to win approval by both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly this year.

Valpo, Center Twp. try again to launch fire territory

VALPARAISO | In what seems like a case of deja vu all over again, the city on Monday held the first of the required three public hearings on forming a fire protection territory with Center Township.

LaPorte property owners may get tax bill reprieve

INDIANAPOLIS | LaPorte County property owners may get a break from the barrage of tax bills they've recently received as the county strives to catch up on delayed prior year tax billings.

Fewer people needed Center Twp. help in 2012

VALPARAISO | With the first decrease in several years in the amount of money given out for township assistance, Township Trustee Chuck Conover said he hopes the economy has turned the corner to recovery.

Valpo has to start fire territory process again

VALPARAISO | It's back to square one for the city's fire department in its effort to create a fire territory.

Hazlett retires from Center Twp. Board

VALPARAISO | When the Center Township Board holds its organizational meeting Jan. 8, for the first time in 18 years, Charles Hazlett will not be a member.

Hebron Council adopts 2013 salary ordinance

HEBRON | Cleaning up a few loose ends at the end of the year, the Town Council adopted a salary ordinance for 2013 and complied with nepotism and handicapped accessibility laws.

Valpo schools make year-end budget changes

VALPARAISO | In a special session lasting barely five minutes Thursday, the Valparaiso Community Schools board approved reductions in several budget categories and increased its appropriations for the general fund.

Kouts budget increase a result of CEDIT savings

KOUTS | The Town Council approved the proposed 2013 budget Monday calling for an increase of about $130,000 over this year's budget despite lower revenue expected in some funds because of property tax caps.

Celltower leases boost Hebron budget

HEBRON | The town's budget will be a little bigger in 2013 than this year, but it won't be because of a tax increase.

LARRY DeBOER: To stop property tax chaos, send in a form

There's potential for chaos in Indiana local government in 2013. Indiana taxpayers can prevent this chaos. All we have to do is send in a form.

Hebron adopts required anti-nepotism ordinance

HEBRON | The Hebron Town Council joined several other Northwest Indiana communities in complying with the state law requiring it to approve an anti-nepotism ordinance Tuesday.

Kouts council adopts state nepotism rules

KOUTS | The Kouts Town Council wasted no time complying with the state's new nepotism law, but the cleaning and televising of some sewers will require a little more thought.

Porter County might give homestead violators some help

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Council will have a proposed ordinance on its May 22 agenda that would offer some relief to residents who owe back taxes from homestead exemption violations.

LARRY DeBOER: Soil productivity factors and farmland property taxes

The assessed values of farmland for property taxes have been rising. Mostly this is because of increases in the "base rate" per acre of farmland. But now, another element of the assessment calculation, the "soil productivity factors," might rise as well.