admin, Author at Certified Public Accountants. Governmental Accounting and Budgeting.

June 10, 2022

Local Governments can expect a 5% increase in their maximum property tax levies in 2023

Each year, the maximum amount of property tax revenue (levy) that may be generated by a local civil government unit is adjusted to account for growth and inflation. This article is intended to explain this calculation and the impact on your unit’s 2023 budget. How is the annual adjustment to the maximum levy calculated? Legislation stipulates the six-year moving average increase in Indiana, non-farm personal income (as published by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis) is the factor used to adjust the maximum levy each year. Will the amount of my local unit’s property tax revenue increase as a result of this annual adjustment? Not necessarily. Factors such as lost revenue from property tax rate cap credits and delinquencies/non-payment […]

May 20, 2022

Reallocate Rate Cap Credits

Written by: Curtis L. Coonrod, CPA, and Benjamin W. Roeger, CPA [Written: 10/19/21, Revised: 5/20/22] Property tax draws for most cities, towns, townships, and counties are reduced by rate cap credits. Rate cap credits are usually allocated in proportion to the size of each fund that has a property tax levy, except for debt service funds. However, the city or other local unit can change that allocation. For example, suppose the Assistance Fund has $10,000 of rate cap credits and needs more money. The local government can reduce all or some of the Assistance Fund rate cap credits – up to the full $10,000 and increase the rate cap credits by a like amount in other funds. The result? Up […]

May 6, 2022

2022 City Tax Rates per Civil City

March 14, 2022

NUMBER ONE IN A SERIES: SAFEGUARDING PUBLIC ASSETS

Written by: Curtis Coonrod [Revised: 3/11/22] “How do I know I can trust all these people?” A newly-elected official once asked us that question. He inherited staff from his electoral opponent, the former officeholder. He wanted continuity of operations, so he did not want to fire everyone. He knew these people from his time on the fiscal body. Essentially, he trusted them, but he did not hire them. He did not want any of them to get him into trouble. Here was our advice: Even if you think you know people, you don’t. Besides, public office is a public trust. Your job is not simply to trust people you know but to put in place sound security systems to safeguard […]

February 22, 2022

GFOA Awards Recognize Finance Officers for Their Contributions

Written by: Curtis Coonrod [Revised: 1/27/22] In December 2021, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) announced the winners of its 2021 Awards for Excellence in Government Finance. Being one of GFOA’s most prestigious awards, this award recognizes the contributions and practices that illustrate excellence in financial management. This recognition is based on documented work that demonstrates leadership in the profession and improves public finance. The Awards for Excellence is just one of various awards that financial officers can receive from the GFOA. Since its inception in 1906, GFOA has represented and advocated for public finance officials in the US and Canada. A 20,000-member association, GFOA is comprised of federal, state, provincial, and local finance officials who plan, finance, and implement […]