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New Carlisle council debates levy options as property‑tax petition advances
Summary
Council and staff discussed contingency plans for funding fire and EMS if a property‑tax repeal petition qualifies for the ballot; city directed staff to draft both a half‑percent and a three‑quarter‑percent option and to coordinate with state contacts and the petition committee’s July 1 signature deadline.
Council members spent a substantial portion of their June 1 meeting discussing options to fund fire and emergency medical services if a citizen petition to eliminate the city’s property tax qualifies for the ballot.
Chief Trusty and City Manager Mr. Hall briefed council on operational impacts and funding scenarios. Councilmembers debated whether to prepare a draft ordinance for a 1/2 percent levy option and a separate draft for a 3/4 percent option, with several members saying the 3/4 option may be necessary if property-tax revenues are removed. ‘‘If the property tax goes away, the whole house’’ staffing could be affected, Chief Trusty said, describing potential reductions to on‑duty personnel.
Mr. Hall said staff already has a preliminary draft and council asked that both levy versions be drafted and ready for introduction at the July 6 meeting so the council can act with knowledge of whether the petition met signature requirements. Council received timeline clarifications at the meeting: petition signatures were reported to have a July 1 deadline, with council meetings on July 6 and July 20 available for introduction and votes that would meet election-board deadlines.
Council also requested staff to contact state legislative contacts for information on likely second‑order effects should the petition qualify. No levy was voted on at the June 1 meeting; council directed staff to prepare legislative language and options for future meetings.
