Media Release
For Immediate Release
DLGF to hold assessors accountable for delinquent data
INDIANAPOLIS (November 27, 2007) – The Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) today announced the state would consider revoking certifications from assessors in 23 counties for a failure to provide data required by law.
Assessors in these counties did not submit 2007 Pay 2008 personal and/or real property data originally due by law to the DLGF on Oct. 1, 2007. Submittal of this information is the first step in on-time property tax billing for 2008.
"Delinquent data is an indication that 2008 tax bills may not go out on time, and counties may have to borrow in 2008 to fund services to taxpayers," Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave said.
Musgrave had extended the deadline for the data submission to Nov. 15, 2007 after county officials asked for more time to ensure they could supply current data in a timely manner, while still providing the state with outstanding historical data.
Last week, Musgrave notified county assessors by e-mail of the Pay 2008 delinquent datasets and advised that on Dec. 10, 2007 the DLGF may initiate the process which may result in the revocation of assessor certifications, as allowed by Department rules (50 IAC 15-3-6) promulgated with the authority from the General Assembly. The letter advised that assessors may avoid this process by submitting the overdue data immediately.
Further delinquency may also subject the county to withholding of state Property Tax Replacement Credit (PTRC) funds, as allowed by Indiana law (Ind. Code § 6-1.1-21-4).
Since July, the DLGF has been communicating with local officials to assist them with the data updates. The state assembled a data assistance team to help counties when asked. These individuals travel to the county to meet with officials and help them put a data submission plan together.
"The end goal is to ensure that no Hoosier is paying more than their fair share of property taxes,” Musgrave said. “That can only be accomplished when policymakers can make informed decisions based on complete, accurate data."
Attachments:
List of County, Assessors and 2008 Delinquent Data
Certification Revocation Process Outline
List of County, Assessors and 2008 Delinquent Data
For a copy of the letter sent to each local official, click on the county name below.
| County | Assessor | 08 Delinquent Dataset | 08 Delinquent Dataset |
| Boone | Lisa Garoffolo | Real Property | Personal Property |
| Cass | Judith Lewis | Real Property | Personal Property |
| Daviess | Dennis Eaton | Real Property | Personal Property |
| Dearborn | Gary Hensley, Sr. | Real Property | Personal Property |
| DeKalb | Sheila Stonebraker | Real Property | Personal Property |
| Fountain | Sandra Whitaker | Real Property | Personal Property |
| Greene | Nancy Snellenberger | Real Property | |
| Harrison | Lorena Stepro | Real Property | |
| Hendricks | Gail Brown | Real Property | |
| Huntington | Terri Boone | Real Property | |
| Jackson | Bev Gaiter | Real Property | Personal Property |
| Johnson | Marla Hash | Real Property | Personal Property |
| LaPorte | Carol McDaniel | Real Property | Personal Property |
| Madison | Cheryl Heath | Real Property | Personal Property |
| Martin | Carolyn McGuire | Real Property | |
| St. Joseph | David Wesolowski | Real Property | |
| Steuben | Larry May | Real Property | Personal Property |
| Tippecanoe | Samantha Steele | Real Property | Personal Property |
| Vermillion | Patricia Ritchey | Real Property | |
| Vigo | Deborah Lewis | Real Property | Personal Property |
| Washington | Eugene Trueblood | Real Property | Personal Property |
| White | Karen Hatter | Property | |
| Whitley | Angela Adams | Real Property | Personal Property |
Certification Revocation Process Outline under 50 IAC 15-3-6
- The DLGF initiates revocation procedure by issuing a notice to respondent. The notice shall include a time and place for the hearing not less than 90 days from the date of the mailing.
- The DLGF conducts hearing during which respondent may be represented by counsel. The hearing will occur in front of a hearing officer appointed by the DLGF.
- The DLGF must prove the violation or violations alleged and the hearing officer must consider the seriousness of the violation and whether the violation is likely to recur.
- The hearing officer makes a written recommendation for final action to the DLGF Commissioner, but the Commissioner is not bound by the hearing officer’s recommendation.
- The Commissioner may decide on one of the following actions:
a.Decline to issue sanction
b.Issue a written reprimand
c.Revoke or suspend the assessor certification for a period of up to one year
After January 1, 2008, Indiana law requires that individuals running for the office of county assessor must have an assessor certification (Ind. Code § 3-8-1-23).
Contact: Mary Jane Michalak, 317.232.3785, mmichalak@dlgf.in.gov
2007 News Releases (View)
- How much property tax do I owe?
- Why haven’t I received my tax bill?
- Where can I find out how much homes have sold for in my area?
- How are property taxes determined and calculated?
- What are property tax deductions and how do I know if I qualify for one?
- How do I file for the Homestead Credit or another deduction?
- Where can I locate a form?
- What can I do if I missed the deadline to file for my tax deduction?
