Paying up for the year
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Property tax bills were mailed by Carroll County Treasurer Jane Brewington and her staff last Friday. Most residents received the payment notice on Saturday and many property owners visited the courthouse Monday morning to give the county money owed.

A steady stream of payers walked into the courthouse all morning long with pink forms and checks in hand. Keith and Phyllis Jones, who live on the Crooked Road to Flora/Delphi, were one of the first to pay. They said their bill was not as high as they anticipated. However, they are concerned about the county's financial situation.

"We have good council people," Keith Jones said. "But when your back's against the wall - it's no time to take on new projects," he added talking about the potential SR75 extension project. He said he thought the county financial situation was "kind of scary."

"We don't need more studies about the Hoosier Heartland," Phyllis Jones said. "It's a done deal."

However, not everyone was thrilled to be paying property taxes. One county resident said he thought his property was incorrectly assessed and visited the assessor's office to find out how to appeal the bill.

Assessor Doris McLeland said property owners have until July 23 to appeal. The procedure is for a form #130, or a hand-written note, to be filed with her office listing the reasons for the appeal. McLeland urged those with questions to call her office at (765) 564- 3444 as soon as possible to be able to resolve issues.

The treasurer's office will be open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. until noon. Payments are due by June 30.

Brewington said approximately $11 million is expected to be collected by the deadline. After nearly four weeks of processing by her office and the auditor's office, the money will be available for county expenditure distribution.