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Monroe County commissioners unanimously adopt resolution opposing Indiana Senate Bill 1, citing multimillion-dollar revenue shortfalls
Summary
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 20 approved Resolution 2025-05 opposing Indiana Senate Bill 1, saying the bill would sharply reduce local property-tax revenue and hamper county services; the resolution will be sent to the governor and state legislators.
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 on Feb. 20 to adopt Resolution 2025-05 formally opposing Indiana Senate Bill 1, a proposal county staff and the commissioners said would reduce local property-tax revenues and constrain local government flexibility.
The resolution, authored for the board by Commissioner Madera, says SB 1 would alter homestead deductions, property-tax credits and timing of referendums and projects, and projects multi-year shortfalls for Monroe County. The board resolved to urge the Indiana General Assembly to reconsider or amend the bill and to request state-level revenue provisions to limit harm to local governments; it directed that copies of the resolution be sent to the governor and to state legislators.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the projected loss of property-tax revenue could threaten essential services and infrastructure and shift difficult tax decisions from state to local governments. "Counties that people live in are going to have to drop measures that are critical not only to public health, safety and welfare, but also to maintaining the quality of life that draws individuals to these counties," Commissioner Madera said. "We're going to be much less able to respond to emergencies. This is going to have effects on every citizen in Indiana," Commissioner Jones added.
Board discussion and detail: The resolution text presented to the board lists projected county revenue shortfalls in the coming years; the board framed those figures as the basis for opposition and as evidence that SB 1 would force either deep service cuts or new local revenue measures. Commissioners emphasized the need for alternative approaches that preserve both tax relief goals and local service capacity. The resolution also urges the Legislature not to impose steep caps on the maximum levy growth quotient, which limits how much property taxes may increase year to year.
Outcome and next steps: The resolution was adopted by unanimous roll-call shorthand (motion carried 3-0). The board will forward the resolution to the governor and to members of the Indiana General Assembly as indicated in the resolution text.
