There are seven steps involved in the process to prepare annual tax bills for property taxpayers each year. One of the most challenging hurdles to overcome is the certification by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) of the current year's budget appropriations. That is step number four. For that step, it will be necessary for the county auditor to send information to the state for approval. According to the DLGF Web site, Carroll County is working on step number three.

County auditor Beth Myers explained Tuesday to Carroll County Council members there is a computer glitch with the numerical interpretation of information provided by the assessor's office. She said she expected the issue to be resolved in a matter of days at which time she will be able to submit the budget for DLGF review.

"Carroll County tax bills are expected to be ready for taxpayers in July," Myers said.

Myers presented the 2008 annual county fiscal report to the council at the meeting. The report, which will be printed in the Comet in the near future, indicates the county general fund began 2008 with $474,493.20 and ended the year with $1,569,308.16. Receipts for the year totaled $8,849,759.33 and disbursements $7,754,944.37. The revenue report indicates year-to-date interest earned on investments is $17,285.02 compared to $1,029,954.33 last year at the same time. Ambulance receipts for the first three months is $107,654.18.

Myers reported the county will receive approximately $119,440 monthly income from the County Adjusted Gross Income Tax (CAGIT) and approximately $60,000 from the county's Local Option Income Tax (LOIT).

Council president Ann Brown reported the state advised that LOIT collections are slow which will eventually impact disbursements.

The Salin Bank bid to provide a $1.2 million line of credit at 2.74 percent interest was accepted.

Tax abatement sought

The Andersons representative Bob Morrow reported the company expects to build a new $750,000 storage bin at the Delphi facility. He said tax abatement for the project will be requested. According to Morrow, no new jobs will be created however, the measure indicates stability of the business in the area and job security for those currently employed there.

Carroll County Economic Development Director Daryl Smith said that by issuing the abatement the county will not be losing revenue. He said the abatement cannot be granted for revenue from property taxes currently received; only new tax money can be abated. Jerry Hendress requested Smith prepare a chart which compares tax revenue generated for different lengths of time before making a decision.

Smith said the county was contacted and visited about the installation of wind energy equipment. He said Carroll County is not in the first tier for development of the industry given the relatively narrow wind band in the southern part of the county.

Smith reported "strong ongoing discussions" with Indiana Packers about the purchase of the land surrounding Carroll Manor.

Salt garage approved

Approval was given for a $125,000 additional appropriation from the cumulative capital improvement fund for a salt storage barn at the highway department garage. Highway engineer Paul Couts said there is "an obvious problem" with outdoor salt storage at the department. He said salt, which cost the county $116/ton, is "just going away" in the weather which indicates a need for a dry storage facility. Couts said the project could be completed in August before winter weather arrives and in time to save money by purchasing salt early in the season.

Slavens projected cum cap fund 2009 revenue to be roughly $350,000 with a current balance of $1.8 million.

The county clerk was granted a transfer for $44.96 from postage to meetings allowance. The county health department was granted a $40,000 transfer between two department funds for salaries until the spring property tax settlement is received.

Sheriff Tony Burns was granted a $8,587 additional appropriation from cum cap to sheriff vehicles. Transfers for $6,000 for partial payment for the upcoming special election and $15,000 for the personnel policy manuals out of the Riverboat Gambling fund were approved.

The next meeting will be May 18 at 2 p.m. The council scheduled a joint meeting with commissioners the same day, May 18, at 1 p.m.