Westfield Reduces Tax Rate

Westfield announced in a press release today that the city property tax rate for 2012 will be less than it was in 2011. This comes after a decision by the state Department of Local Government Finance authorizing Westfield to raise its rate to compensate for $35 million of lost assessed value.

Given the opportunity to raise rates, most governments would have done so. Consider Washington, where increasing the budget at a slower rate than the previous year is routinely referred to as "cutting" the budget.

"Instead of raising the rate to the authorized amount it is our responsibility to be a fiscally responsibile muncipality, furthermore, instead of raising the rate, we've responded to the economic realities and we were able to slightly lower the rate," said Mayor Andy Cook. "We are constantly looking at developing ways to deliver services to our citizens in the most efficient ways possible," he said.

I'm told that the rate was reduced by a couple of cents per hundred dollars of assessed value. Although not a hugely significant dollar figure, this reduction in rate sends the message that the city continues to do its best to do more with less.

Fiscal responsibility on the part of the city alone is not enough. Therefore the city hopes to work with other taxing entities that impact our property tax bills in Westfield to reduce our overall tax bills. Did you know that the city tax represents approximately 25% of your property tax bill? Westfield-Washington schools make up about 65% of your bill, while the other entities such as Washington Township, the County, and the Library make up the remaining 10%.

I find it odd that there is generally very little public attendance at School Board meetings. It would seem that, given the share of the property tax bill apportioned to the schools, more attention would be paid to their fiscal practices.

Ken Kingshill
Westfield, Indiana