News Archive

Whiting & Hammond Partner on Park & Rec Fees

The cities of Whiting and Hammond have been researching ways to improve the efficiency of their joint operations by looking for ways to partner on programs and projects.  The opportunities are numerous and both cities feel confident that signifciant savings and efficiency enhancements can materialize from these discussions.

One improvement that will take effect on January 1 is an agreement that all residents living in the 46394 zip code will pay the same fees at select facilities in Whiting and Robertsdale.  For all Whiting Community Center and Whiting Park services and for all Wolf Lake and Lost Marsh Golf Course fees, both Whiting and Robertsdale residents will now pay the resident rate regardless if the facility is in their home city.

"Whiting and Robertsdale have long been considered one community", stated Mayor Joe Stahura.  "This new agreement is just another step in the cross border cooperation between the cities of Hammond and Whiting".  Mayor Stahura credits Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. for offering to help Whiting and looks forward to announcing additional joint ventures in the months to come.

Click here to read a recent Northwest Indiana Times news article - review article.

Mayor Joseph M. Stahura and the members of the City of Whiting Common Council are pleased to announce the passage of an ordinance to grant a twenty percent (20%) local homestead credit for property taxes for 2006 payable 2007.

“This is the second year in a row that the City has been able to offer this credit to our homeowners” Stahura stated. “We have tightened our collective belts in an effort to be able to offer this additional assistance to our residents who have homestead exemption on their properties.”

Last year, the City of Whiting was one of only two cities in the State which offered this credit to its homeowners.  The credit is based on legislation shepherded by State Senator Frank Mrvan which allows a municipality to enact a local homestead credit which is then automatically applied to tax bills by the County Auditor in accordance with the terms of the ordinance.

“We are excited that we can once again offer this additional relief to our homeowners” Council President Chris Sarvanidis stated.  “Whiting residents have been severely impacted by the tax reassessment and we feel it is our duty to provide whatever assistance we can to our residents.”

During the meeting council member Steve Spebar advised the council that the credit amounted to approximately $520,000 for 2005 taxes and that a similar figure is calculated for 2006 payable 2007.

“The beauty of the program is that the homeowner does not need to do any additional paperwork, fill out any forms, or have to travel to Crown Point in order to be eligible for the local homestead credit” Stahura commented.  “The Auditor’s Office provided very valuable assistance to the City last year in applying the credit properly and promptly to our qualified homeowners and the whole process was enacted smoothly” Stahura further related.

The credit will be twenty percent (20%) on the net tax bill which is similar to the credit enacted last year.  It will apply to all properties with homestead credits, including those with only partial credits, and all eligible properties will receive the full benefit.

For further information contact Council President Chris Sarvanidis at (219)688-2261.

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