Paul Musgrave on why Indiana needs to get rid of township assessors:
That most assessors are unqualified, failing to meet international standards, surely contributes to the problem. The lack of qualifications stems from the state's practice of electing its assessors, something which is probably the worst way to guarantee that the laws are faithfully executed. "Assessment," as the report rightly argues, "is a ministerial function requiring technical expertise and equipment. It is not one in which the assessor is an elected representative of the taxpayer" and as such the assessor has no right to exercise his own judgment or apply his own ideas about the law.
Eliminating the township assessor, therefore, does not deprive anyone of representation. But that argument, and many others, will be advanced by those with a vested interest in the current system. And it is only those who have a vested interest in the system who will want to see it preserved. The question is whether this report will give the proponents of reform the tools they need to overcome this resistance.
Musgrave also references this editorial I wrote for The News-Sentinel, noting that Gov. Daniels seems inclined to try to end the township-assessor system. Indiana has long needed to address the entire antiquated township system, but township officials have had enough political clout to block change. Even changing this one piece of the system will be a daunting task.
