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Whitestown adopts 2026 budget and tax levies, approves three-year levy appeal amid SB1 concerns
Summary
The Town Council of Whitestown on Oct. 8 adopted its 2026 budget, appropriations and tax levies and approved a three-year levy appeal after extended discussion about Indiana's Senate Bill 1, assessed-value changes and which taxpayers will feel rate increases. Council voted 5-0 to adopt ordinance 2025-23 and resolution 2025-25.
The Town Council of Whitestown adopted the town's 2026 budget, tax levies and tax rates on Oct. 8, approving ordinance 2025-23 by a 5-0 vote after an extended discussion about assessed-value growth, the effects of Senate Bill 1 and who will shoulder any near-term rate increases.
Nathan Fox, who presented the tax projections and growth estimates to the council, said Whitestown's certified net assessed value had initially shown a 7% increase and that recertification could push that figure higher — "maybe 9 to 12 percent" — which would affect the final tax rate tied to the levy. He cautioned council members that the town had reached its 3% cap for growth appeals and that the next steps depend on whether additional growth appeals are granted.
Why it matters: Council members said the budget aims to fund roads, public safety and other needs tied to rapid residential and commercial growth. At the same time, they flagged that Senate Bill 1 alters levy and assessed-value mechanics statewide; council members warned the law could compress revenue growth while shifting higher apparent tax-rate increases onto property owners who have not reached statutory caps.
Council discussion focused on distributional effects. Councilman Nichols observed that some parcels and multifamily properties below the 1% or 2% caps would be the most affected even if the overall budget increase is modest. "There's a complex system," Nichols said, noting that a 3% to 5% budget increase can translate into much larger percentage changes in effective tax rates for certain taxpayers.
Resident Ken Kingshill urged caution on increases to council and commission pay amid the budget debate, asking the council to justify salary decisions against the broader tax impacts on residents. The clerk-treasurer and staff agreed to provide additional line-item reports on historical legal expenditures and other budget components upon request.
Action taken: The council voted 5-0 to adopt ordinance 2025-23, establishing the 2026 appropriations, levies and tax rates, and subsequently approved resolution 2025-25, a three-year levy appeal (vote 5-0).
Next steps: Staff will confirm final assessed-value recertification figures with the county and return any updated projections to council. Council members said they expect capital-priority discussions and possible further adjustments if SB1 materially changes revenue streams.
