The Republican-controlled Indiana General Assembly promised Hoosiers property tax relief when passing 2025 legislation; however, that’s not what some Wayne County taxpayers felt when opening their tax bills.
Instead, they’re expressing angst to the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office that their bills do not reflect an expected reduction.
Tax payments this year reflect last year’s property assessments, which increased an average of 15% in Wayne County. The change reflected the state increasing cost tables on building materials and corrections to bring assessments more in line with the county’s housing market.
The net result for some residents is a higher dollar amount owed on recently distributed property tax statements.
Max Smith, president of Wayne County Council, ran for his seat on council in 2020 saying that one of his top five priorities if elected was to keep property taxes as low as possible. But during the April 15 combined council and commissioners workshop, he redirected that responsibility back to state legislators, saying that the treasurer’s office collects payments, but doesn’t establish the amounts due.
“Some people win and some people lose in this,” Smith said.
Smith also pointed out that the legislature spread out taxing changes over several years.
Residents can look up contact information for their state legislator at wwn.to/findlegislator.
Spring property tax installments are due by 11:59 p.m. May 11.
Financial consultants
Smith also said the county is receiving quotes from financial consultants to provide expertise to help the shorthanded auditor’s office and advise the county as more state taxing changes take effect.
Council member Cathy Williams emphasized that hiring a consultant is not to run the auditor’s office but because the county needs help “to float on down the river.”
Fairgrounds upgrades
Steve Higinbotham, the county administrator, reported about progress involving Wayne County Fairgrounds projects.
Trees and stumps have been cleared from the area that will become a new parking lot, Higinbotham said. The next step will be installing drainage pipes.
In addition, water lines have been installed for camping spaces up to North L Street and near the horse barn, Higinbotham said. Electric upgrades will now proceed to have the camping spaces completed before the county’s 4-H fair.
Other issues
- Council authorized a health department request to transfer $2,250 into its supplies line item to purchase GPS equipment that locates underground septic equipment within inches.
- Council unanimously approved Clerk Tara Pegg’s request to post and hire a position opened by an employee leaving.
- After a resignation, council unanimously approved posting and hiring for the only county-funded Extension position. The administrative position is open as Extension nears its busiest time of year.
A version of this article will appear in the April 22 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.