Letter to Marion County Treasurer Rodman: Taxpayer questions why Mayor Peterson's house has lower taxes

We must ask....why must a taxpayer who owns a modest home that is valued at $387,000 LESS than Bart Peterson's home, pay $734.32 MORE in annual property tax fees? This individual's home is on a perfectly good well and septic system. The city is trying to force him to pay $8,000 to $10,000 (in addition to property taxes higher than Bart's)to hook up to the sewer when he doesn't need or want it. You might recall that CCC president Monroe Gray's bankrupt concrete company got no-bid sewer contracts from the city. Why is this man, who cannot keep a company receiving no-bid government contracts afloat, in charge of deciding how your tax dollars are spent? Ask the democrats on council that appointed him.

Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2007

Mr. Rodman:

I am in receipt of your second of three installment bills and its accompanying letter. Please be advised that no payment will be made for the school portion until the constitutionality of your bills has been determined; as you know there are at least two lawsuits on these matters, in the courts. You have taken an oath of office, to uphold and defend the State Constitution. Why are you not abiding by that oath? ( See: Article 8, Section 2, below / and Article 6, Section 8, below)

Additionally, the second to last sentence which reads: “Finally, we have the opportunity to make major and reasonable changes to our tax system” is simply ludicrous. You and your predecessors have had since 1998 to make necessary changes. Instead, you ignored the assessment of commercial property and failed your responsibilities to such a great extent that the assessment was deemed intolerable. Thus, for another two-million dollars, we will (In your own words) “See little or, No relief”. How is it then, that you expect us to believe anything you have done to be correct?

Further; I am in possession of the assessment of one, Mr. Bart Peterson, of Washington Township, who’s assessed property value stands at $513,000.00. My assessed value in the same township is a paltry $126,000.00. Mr. Peterson’s semi-annual tax bill is $1659.53. My semi-annual bill is $2,026.69. The value of Mr Peterson’s property is 407% greater than mine; however, his semi-annual payment is 83% lower than mine. Please, explain to me how this fits into the constitutional decree of Fairness and equity? (See: Article 10, Section 1, below)

In summation, the statute you are erroneously attempting to enforce is blatantly unconstitutional, as are your methods of applying them. I insist on a complete explanation of why it is believed that your office can operate outside of the laws of this State.

I look forward to your reply.

J.E. H

Indiana Constitution, Article 8, Section 2.
The Common School fund shall consist of the Congressional Township fund, and the lands belonging thereto; The Surplus Revenue fund; The Saline fund and the lands belonging thereto; The Bank Tax fund and the fund arising from the one hundred and fourteenth section of the charter of the State Bank of Indiana; The fund to be derived from the sale of County Seminaries, and the moneys and property heretofore held for such Seminaries; from the fines assessed for breaches of the penal laws of the State; and from all forfeitures which may accrue; All lands and other estate which shall escheat to the State, for want of heirs or kindred entitled to the inheritance; All lands that have been, or may hereafter be, granted to the State, where no special purpose is expressed in the grant, and the proceeds of the sales thereof; including the proceeds of the sales of the Swamp Lands, granted to the State of Indiana by the act of Congress of the twenty eighth of September, eighteen hundred and fifty, after deducting the expense of selecting and draining the same; Taxes on the property of corporations that may be assessed by the General Assembly for common school purposes.

Article 10, Section 1. Assessment and taxation Section 1. (a) The General Assembly shall provide, by law, for a uniform and equal rate of property assessment and taxation and shall prescribe regulations to secure a just valuation for taxation of all property, both real and personal. The General Assembly may exempt from property taxation any property in any of the following classes: (1) Property being used for municipal, educational, literary, scientific, religious or charitable purposes; (2) Tangible personal property other than property being held for sale in the ordinary course of a trade or business, property being held, used or consumed in connection with the production of income, or property being held as an investment; (3) Intangible personal property. (b) The General Assembly may exempt any motor vehicles, mobile homes, airplanes, boats, trailers or similar property, provided that an excise tax in lieu of the property tax is substituted therefore.

Article 6, Section 8. Impeachment of other officers
Section 8. All State, county, township, and town officers, may be impeached, or removed from office, in such manner as may be prescribed by law.