It has been stated elsewhere that the cost of becoming, as well as being, a city can be significant. Has anyone performed the requisite analysis to determine the annual tax revenues, from both property and other taxation, the proposed new city would generate? And, how does this compare to the estimated annual costs?
You have asked a few of questions so let me break them apart and provide an answer for each. The first is the cost to become a city. If you look at the comments on the self-incorporation page (scroll down to comments) you will find the three expenses that are required by the Indiana Code in order to become a city. One of the three expenses could actually be mitigated if we have a qualified citizen volunteer their time and skill set to conduct the survey for us.
Your second question was about estimated annual tax revenues for a new city. We have had a very generous WRT citizen whose expertise is in municipal finance conduct a financial analysis for us. As you correctly point out, there is a lot more at stake here than just property taxes. As a town we would gain revenues from many other sources of taxes that you and I already pay through other means such as the gasoline tax.
The state uses formulas to determine the amount of taxes distributed to each city and town. Many of these taxes utilize road miles and population as the basis for the calculations. We have approximately 188 road miles in our areas and remember that as a population we are nearly as big as Greenwood. We are not ready to release the analysis but the amount available to us as a town is much more than what property taxes alone would lead you to believe.
Your last question was about the town’s expenses. At this point we are really just beginning to understand what those expenses would be. I can tell you that in our vision of the town of Center Grove, Indiana, we do not see a need to add hundreds of employees and purchase large amounts of new expensive equipment. Many of the services we already receive are provided by the county. We do not see that changing. In fact, we are willing to work with the county to leverage as many resources as we can in order to maximize the use of our tax dollars.
An example is purchasing. Many cities employ a purchasing department. We see no need to do this. We already pay and will continue to pay county taxes. If we need to purchase items such as office paper we see utilizing the county’s purchasing department. Doing so will provide economics of scale and allow both entities to obtain needed items at lower costs. This is just one example of how we can “do government differently” if we become our own city.
Nobody wants to pay more taxes, but lets face it, most of us must realize by now that we will be incorporated one way or another. Either via mergers or slowly, piece by piece. To me it comes down to the least of the evils, and in my opinion, it is via self-incorporation.
However, I believe that time is not on our side. Every day that goes by presents another missed opportunity, and gives Greenwood and Bargersville the opportunity to annex part of the most valuable commercial land around us.
Unfortunately I have not seen much interest by CG residents to do much about it, but am glad to finally see this effort. Whatever happened to the work that was done as a college project on CG becoming a town a year or two ago? That would have been a perfect opportunity, and I believe we may still be able to leverage some of those learnings.
Personally, I think for the future of CG residents and their children, we need to make this happen. While I don’t want to be a Fishers or Carmel, I think we do need a plan of attracting viable employers to the area. But feel that a well planned town has a much better chance for doing so than what I would expect out of a merged town.
I’m very interested in learning more about this as it moves along. However, I’m at a stage in my life where I do not have a lot of free time, but would consider helping where I can.
Also, what can we learn from other towns in Indiana that have done a similar incorporation?
Gunnar – I believe that you are correct in your statements; we will be incorporated one way or another. As a town we will control our own destiny by ensuring that our money is returned and spent in our community. We will be able to plan and zone our area in a manner that protects the rural areas and makes the commercial areas more attractive to viable employers. But the best benefit is that we don’t have to become a Carmel or Fishers. We can largely remain as we are if we choose to do so.
To answer your question about the college project, we are referencing it as we move forward. You can find a copy of the presentation on the White River Citizens United website. Unfortunately, the opportunity to move self incorporation forward was not pursued by that group. Like you, we’re all at that stage of life where our free time is limited but I also agree that time is running out. If incorporation is going to happen for Center Grove, now is the time. If we choose not to get involved now, we can’t complain about the outcome in the future. Right now, our main focus is to get the word out that we are moving incorporation forward. Tell your friends and neighbors about this website. Have them check out the Get Involved page. Hosting a community awareness meeting only takes an hour but can make a big difference.
Over the coming weeks, I will be updating the site with the steps and requirements outlined in the Indiana Code for incorporation. Check back often. Thanks for the comment.
Gunnar Wolff let me know of the organization. I know we need to do something My concern is the costs of an independent town. road maintenance, police, fire, EMT, etc. I doubt the tax base in the CG area which is primarily residential can cover it all. How do we determine the costs of independence versus those with being annexed into Greenwood or Bargersville. We need to put the entire package in front of folks to garner support, mine included. I’m not against it just want to know the impact Once I can see that and if it is a good picture, I’ll work with you to make it happen.
I apologize for my late reply. I agree with your statements and wish I could provide you with an answer but at this point we still need to do our due dilligence. I can tell you that there is a lot more at stake here than just property taxes. As a city we would be entitled to revenues from other taxing bodies in the state such as the motor vehicle highway tax, alcoholic beverage tax, riverboat revenue sharing, cigarette taxes and many others. The calculations for the amount of taxes we would receive as revenue are based on road miles and population. Bear in mind our population is nearly as large as Greenwood.
Over the coming weeks we will begin to form citizen committees to begin looking at and addressing the questions you pose in your comments. We will need to help however to paint the picture before we can show it off.
It has been stated elsewhere that the cost of becoming, as well as being, a city can be significant. Has anyone performed the requisite analysis to determine the annual tax revenues, from both property and other taxation, the proposed new city would generate? And, how does this compare to the estimated annual costs?
In the FAQ section above, they have a sample.
Drew,
You have asked a few of questions so let me break them apart and provide an answer for each. The first is the cost to become a city. If you look at the comments on the self-incorporation page (scroll down to comments) you will find the three expenses that are required by the Indiana Code in order to become a city. One of the three expenses could actually be mitigated if we have a qualified citizen volunteer their time and skill set to conduct the survey for us.
Your second question was about estimated annual tax revenues for a new city. We have had a very generous WRT citizen whose expertise is in municipal finance conduct a financial analysis for us. As you correctly point out, there is a lot more at stake here than just property taxes. As a town we would gain revenues from many other sources of taxes that you and I already pay through other means such as the gasoline tax.
The state uses formulas to determine the amount of taxes distributed to each city and town. Many of these taxes utilize road miles and population as the basis for the calculations. We have approximately 188 road miles in our areas and remember that as a population we are nearly as big as Greenwood. We are not ready to release the analysis but the amount available to us as a town is much more than what property taxes alone would lead you to believe.
Your last question was about the town’s expenses. At this point we are really just beginning to understand what those expenses would be. I can tell you that in our vision of the town of Center Grove, Indiana, we do not see a need to add hundreds of employees and purchase large amounts of new expensive equipment. Many of the services we already receive are provided by the county. We do not see that changing. In fact, we are willing to work with the county to leverage as many resources as we can in order to maximize the use of our tax dollars.
An example is purchasing. Many cities employ a purchasing department. We see no need to do this. We already pay and will continue to pay county taxes. If we need to purchase items such as office paper we see utilizing the county’s purchasing department. Doing so will provide economics of scale and allow both entities to obtain needed items at lower costs. This is just one example of how we can “do government differently” if we become our own city.
Hope this helps.
Nobody wants to pay more taxes, but lets face it, most of us must realize by now that we will be incorporated one way or another. Either via mergers or slowly, piece by piece. To me it comes down to the least of the evils, and in my opinion, it is via self-incorporation.
However, I believe that time is not on our side. Every day that goes by presents another missed opportunity, and gives Greenwood and Bargersville the opportunity to annex part of the most valuable commercial land around us.
Unfortunately I have not seen much interest by CG residents to do much about it, but am glad to finally see this effort. Whatever happened to the work that was done as a college project on CG becoming a town a year or two ago? That would have been a perfect opportunity, and I believe we may still be able to leverage some of those learnings.
Personally, I think for the future of CG residents and their children, we need to make this happen. While I don’t want to be a Fishers or Carmel, I think we do need a plan of attracting viable employers to the area. But feel that a well planned town has a much better chance for doing so than what I would expect out of a merged town.
I’m very interested in learning more about this as it moves along. However, I’m at a stage in my life where I do not have a lot of free time, but would consider helping where I can.
Also, what can we learn from other towns in Indiana that have done a similar incorporation?
Gunnar – I believe that you are correct in your statements; we will be incorporated one way or another. As a town we will control our own destiny by ensuring that our money is returned and spent in our community. We will be able to plan and zone our area in a manner that protects the rural areas and makes the commercial areas more attractive to viable employers. But the best benefit is that we don’t have to become a Carmel or Fishers. We can largely remain as we are if we choose to do so.
To answer your question about the college project, we are referencing it as we move forward. You can find a copy of the presentation on the White River Citizens United website. Unfortunately, the opportunity to move self incorporation forward was not pursued by that group. Like you, we’re all at that stage of life where our free time is limited but I also agree that time is running out. If incorporation is going to happen for Center Grove, now is the time. If we choose not to get involved now, we can’t complain about the outcome in the future. Right now, our main focus is to get the word out that we are moving incorporation forward. Tell your friends and neighbors about this website. Have them check out the Get Involved page. Hosting a community awareness meeting only takes an hour but can make a big difference.
Over the coming weeks, I will be updating the site with the steps and requirements outlined in the Indiana Code for incorporation. Check back often. Thanks for the comment.
Gunnar Wolff let me know of the organization. I know we need to do something My concern is the costs of an independent town. road maintenance, police, fire, EMT, etc. I doubt the tax base in the CG area which is primarily residential can cover it all. How do we determine the costs of independence versus those with being annexed into Greenwood or Bargersville. We need to put the entire package in front of folks to garner support, mine included. I’m not against it just want to know the impact Once I can see that and if it is a good picture, I’ll work with you to make it happen.
Hello Walt,
I apologize for my late reply. I agree with your statements and wish I could provide you with an answer but at this point we still need to do our due dilligence. I can tell you that there is a lot more at stake here than just property taxes. As a city we would be entitled to revenues from other taxing bodies in the state such as the motor vehicle highway tax, alcoholic beverage tax, riverboat revenue sharing, cigarette taxes and many others. The calculations for the amount of taxes we would receive as revenue are based on road miles and population. Bear in mind our population is nearly as large as Greenwood.
Over the coming weeks we will begin to form citizen committees to begin looking at and addressing the questions you pose in your comments. We will need to help however to paint the picture before we can show it off.