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March 7, 2010

Anonymous The Kokomo Tribune Sun Mar 07, 2010, 03:18 PM EST

State Sen. Brandt Hershman was a little ticked off after learning last June that Chrysler Group LLC, the new company formed with Fiat, wouldn’t pay $6 million that spring in personal property taxes.

“This is not only a firm refusing to pay taxes that will provide it with police and fire protection, but it’s also putting the burden on the back of a community already struggling,” the Wheatfield Republican said.

Conversely, Howard County officials took the news relatively well. They anticipated it.

At the request of state Rep. Ron Herrell, D-Kokomo, the Indiana House, which was still in session for state budget negotiations, passed an amendment to its budget bill that freed up the state’s Rainy Day Fund and made loans available to Howard County taxing units. The Senate quickly followed suit.

And all the while, county officials were in negotiations with Chrysler about the personal property taxes. Nine months after initiating talks with the automaker, the county announced late last month that old and new Chrysler would pay 100 percent of their personal and real property taxes.

Everyone in the Kokomo area owes a thank-you to the Howard County officials involved in the negotiations. They deserve praise for securing state loans for our taxing units, and brokering a mutually beneficial deal with Chrysler.

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