By Chris Meyers
Staff writer
   Whitley County knew it was ahead of the game with its budget, but now it has climbed the ranks even higher to be one of the first two dozen counties in the state to get budget approval and its tax rates for next year.
   The Department of Local Government Finance certified Whitley County’s 2010 budget order and tax rates Tuesday, which clears the way for on-time property tax bills for the first time in at least three years.
   The budget certification came 99 days earlier than last year, and puts the county in a position to have taxes due May 10.
   “The entire property tax system relies on many different parts to run smoothly,” DLGF Commissioner Timothy Rushenberg said.
“Teamwork and communication among all involved in the assessment-to-tax billing process at the state and local level has brought us to a point not seen in years where property tax bills should actually be mailed and due on time,” he added.
   Whitley County Auditor Linda Gerig said the entire process starts with the county assessor’s office, which finished its responsibilities much earlier this year than 2008.
   Gerig said her office was able to prepare tax exemptions so when the assessed value came in, the numbers were ready to go to the state for approval as soon as possible.
   Because of the quick work of the assessor, the auditor’s office was able to submit certified net assessed values Oct. 1, which was 139 days earlier than last year.
   County assessor Angela Adams was unavailable for comment about the process this year.
   The first step in the assessment to tax billing process is the completion of the property assessments, which culminates with the submission of a ratio study, which is a comparison between property sales prices and assessed values in the county.
   According to the DLGF, Adams submitted the 2010 ratio study Aug. 26 of this year — 91 days earlier than last year.
   Once the DLGF approves the ratio study, the assessor sends the gross assessed values to the county auditor, who applies exemptions, deductions or abatements to determine the net assessed values – the values upon which tax rates are based.
   Now that the 2010 budget has been certified by the DLGF, the next steps are handled at the county level.
   The county auditor is to calculate tax bills, which should then be mailed by the county treasurer no later than April 23, 2010.
   A copy of the Whitley County budget is available at www.in.gov/dlgf/2531.htm.

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