GUEST COMMENTARY: Accountability must apply to TQM funds, too

The Porter County Council did not shut down county Auditor Bob Wichlinski’s total quality management program as reported. A majority of councilmen are asking for accountability from the auditor for future expenditures. The minutes of the March 11 meeting reflect the same.

Porter County auditor hoping to recoup funding for tax scofflaw crackdown

VALPARAISO | Porter County Auditor Bob Wichlinski hopes a decision last week by the County Council to deny him direct access to the $606,000 generated by a crackdown on homestead violators will not stand in his way of proceeding with that effort.

Homestead deductions purge recovers $1.3 million in old taxes

CROWN POINT | Lake County has squeezed at least $1.3 million from hundreds of residents who took homestead deductions they didn't deserve.

Lake auditor grants reprieve for late homestead filers

CROWN POINT | Lake Auditor Peggy Katona said Monday she will give homeowners until the end of January to file paperwork needed to retain their property tax credits.

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.

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.

Porter County tax bills going out next week

VALPARAISO | Porter County Treasurer Mike Bucko said tax bills should begin going out in the mail Monday or Tuesday, marking the third year in a row for on-time billing.

Auditor announces deadlines for homestead applications

CROWN POINT | Lake County Auditor Peggy Katona said new homeowners who haven't yet filed for their homestead credits don't need to panic about getting their paperwork into her office this week.

Learn from Mourdock's example instead of going negative

2012 is proving to be an important election for our state and country. Some candidates, including our own senior U.S. senator, are getting scared.

Do you qualify for senior citizen tax exemptions?

Seniors eligible for either property tax exemption must meet the following requirements:

Gary woman won't serve on appeals board following questions of tax delinquency

CROWN POINT | A Gary woman has withdrawn her name to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Lake County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals following questions about her owing thousands of dollars in delinquent taxes as part of personal bankruptcy proceedings.

Politics behind missing homestead papers?

CROWN POINT | Lake County Surveyor George Van Til is defending his house's property tax exemption against an attack by a hostile neighbor.

Lake County tax bills due Nov. 30; homeowners must refile for homestead exemption

CROWN POINT | Homeowners should be on the lookout for two important pieces of mail: their next tax bill and a pink-colored tax form they must fill out to avoid a sharp rise in future tax bills.