Floyd County Council frustrated with state's control

From the New Albany Tribune
By CHRIS MORRIS - Chris.Morris@newsandtribune.com

Larry McAllister got plenty of exercise Thursday afternoon.

The president of the Floyd County Council passed out letters to every county office holder in the City-County Building stating that no additional appropriations will be given in 2007. The council was also told by the State Board of Accounts that the 2008 budget can not go over the 2007 level — which is $13.1 million.

It’s like a bad rerun, according to council members.

“It seems like more and more we have no control over our county. The state has all the control,” Councilwoman Dana Fendley said. “We get blamed, and get voted out of office, but the state legislature is doing this.”

From frozen budgets, to budget cuts, to a new trending formula to calculate property taxes. The council, and residents of Floyd County, have seen plenty of changes in the past two years. And many say the changes have not been for the better.

For example, McAllister said despite all the property tax revenue generated by Floyd County residents, the county receives a little more than $250,000 back from the state. The state keeps the rest.

“Some people think we get to keep all the property tax revenue and we don’t,” McAllister said. “It’s pitiful. You call up there (Indianapolis) and get no answers.”

Read more on the frustration of the County Council at the Newsandtibune.com