The FWJG’s ongoing series on changes to state government under Gov. Daniels focuses on the Dept. of Local Gov’t Finance. Melissa Henson was an internal promotion to the position of commissioner. The office watches over local officials to make sure they stay within the bounds of law in local property tax increases and budget changes. The department’s most significant change, increased vigilance in oversight of school construction, has been directed by Gov. Daniels.
Next, Henson hopes a committee will begin work shortly on a statewide common property tax management system, using software to link auditors, treasurers and assessing officials with the department to communicate better and enter data more consistently.
According to the Legislative Services Agency – which had to compile data from every county for a reassessment study – there are 17 different auditor computer systems in the state and 14 different assessor computer systems. One county even submitted data by hand on paper.
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