To the editor:
On Dec. 2, a small minority (three of seven) of the Johnson County Council voted to raise our taxes by a whopping $8 million. And it passed.
That is the third tax increase we’ve had in a year.
One councilman, who protected taxpayers by voting against this third tax hike, Josh McCarty, said, “Unfortunately for the library, the timing couldn’t be any worse. We have a responsibility to the taxpayers to be prudent, efficient and spread our resources accordingly. In the future, we can fund these improvements. But in December 2019, knowing what’s on the horizon, I cannot support this increase.”
Thank you, Mr. McCarty for representing the interests of the taxpayers who did not want to see yet another tax increase in tough times.
How did only three council members pass an $8 million tax increase?
Here’s how. On the night they took the vote, two of the seven members of the Council were absent. Only five members of the Council who we elected to represent the taxpayers happened to be attending that particular meeting. And that’s the evening they decided to vote on this huge tax increase.
I’m pretty sure several of the members of the council who were there didn’t even know this was going to happen. They certainly didn’t have a chance to survey their constituents. As recently as 2012, there was a referendum where we taxpayers voted down a tax increase for a new library. Our council was told unequivocally and resoundingly: “No new taxes!”
Moreover, the vote was legally questionable. Very questionable. Indiana Code 36-2-4-4: (a) states, “A requirement that an ordinance, resolution, or other action be passed by a majority vote means, at least a majority vote of all the elected members.” That’s quoted right from the Indiana statute on the subject.
The law requires a majority vote of all the elected seven. Not a majority of any five who happen to be in attendance. Definitely not a small minority of the total council—three of seven.
As a taxpayer, and speaking for my fellow taxpayers, I am requesting that our council: Rob Henderson, James Ison, Pete Ketchum, Josh McCarty, John Myers, Jonathan T. Myers and Josh Turner bring this question up again.
Hold another vote.
This time with all council members present, after they have had a chance to survey their constituents.
Consider:
1. People already distrust government.
2. The taxpayers had already told our government we don’t want more taxes for another new library.
3. Then our elected officials brought this up again (as if they can’t take no for an answer), and vote on it when we only have five members present.
4. And a small minority of the council—three individuals—raised our taxes by $8 million.
This kind of a maneuver can only amplify taxpayers’ distrust of their government.
To revote would show the public the council cares about transparency and good procedure, regardless of the outcome.
Let’s have a revote. It’s the right thing to do.
Walter Charles Oliver
Franklin
