Rushville official apologizes to county for procedural misstep and warns new state tax formula could strain schools and services

An official from Rushville apologized to Rush County commissioners on the record at the January council meeting for not communicating fully before asking to be included on a state food-and-beverage tax application and warned that recent state tax changes could shrink local revenues and force consolidations.

The speaker, who self-identified as mayor of Rushville, said the prior system of 'circuit breakers' had been replaced by what participants called SB1, a formula the mayor described as difficult to navigate and, in his words, capable of "crippling certain communities." He said the city attempted a different approach this legislative session now that applications are being considered community by community and acknowledged the county felt "offended" when press coverage suggested the city was driving the effort.…