By BOB SHRALUKA<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WZBD.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Gov. Mike Braun’s property tax relief legislation now in place, municipal officials across Indiana are face-to-face with the concerns they have been expressing for months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Braun bill, signed into law last April, took effect January 1 and is designed to bring about property tax relief for Hoosiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Property taxes are a primary source of funding for local services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So the legislation has sparked concerns of revenue shortfalls that could bring about major budget cuts or force local governments to move to seek other, potentially unpopular revenue streams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or, as Decatur City Councilman Tyler Fullenkamp said at the latest council meeting, \u201cThey (state officials) will force us to make the unpopular decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result of the great concerns moving forward, Decatur officials have hired a financial planner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Andy Mouser, a director with Indianapolis-based Baker Tilly, a registered municipal advisor, laid out at the council meeting how a Comprehensive Financial Plan would be put together and how it would provide great assistance to the city as it moves through 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Noting that \u201cpretty drastic changes are coming,\u201d Mouser told council that such a plan \u201cwill make many of your budget decisions much easier. This plan will help you navigate legislative changes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think it’s a really good idea to do some financial planning for the future,\u201d Mayor Dan Rickord said. \u201cSo I think this can really help us along.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mayor said he and Clerk-Treasurer Eran Hackman have been talking about plans for the future and the uncertainty of finances, \u201cand have found ourselves at a standstill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hackman agreed. \u201cWe have great ideas moving forward, but we don’t know how to make it happen (financially). This will help us determine priorities, etc.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe ability to prioritize is No. 1 and this (plan) will help you do that,\u201d Mouser added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The city has no comprehensive financial plan at this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After Mouser answered several questions from City Attorney Anne Razo, council unanimously voted to hire Baker Tilly to provide a financial plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cost will be $60,000, $40,000 of which is in the city’s 2026 budget. The other $20,000 will come from utilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hackman pointed out that once Mouser has delivered the plan, the city will have it and then be able to make annual updates<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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