This is to the List, In case you haven't read the legislation in these bills,
you should read them. This in my opinion is a sellout to the Coal, Oil and
Gas, and mineral companies in Indiana, and will not benefit the Cemeteries we
all Volunteer our time on. If you read them tell me what farmer that has an 8
to 10 grave burial site on his property that is going to the expense of
having a Surveyor come out and Survey a 1 acre parcel set aside for a
cemetery to get the benefit of the acre(Acres) assessed evaluation at $1.00
per acre. Not only does it have to be Surveyed but the Plat assessed must be
done in INK and the Surveyor shall prepare the plats on the scale and number
prescribed by the director. The acre will be assessed at it's fair market
value, then if your application is approved, it will be assessed at the (low)
Cemetery bargain of $1.00 for an acre. I can tell you from having been in
business for several years the paper work for this Bill and it's benefits can
only be profitable if my Coal Co. has to give up 2 or 3 acres of coal laden
property. I'm sure you people in the South Western part of the state should
understand. also I didn't see a limit on how large an amount you may declare
for a Cemetery. And after 5 years if you can opt out you have only paid taxes
for 5 years at the $1.00 per acre assessed value. If you, at that time remove
Minerals from the property set aside, then your assement will be changed
immediately. How long would it take to recover the cost, by paying reduced
taxes on a farm acre back in the woods not useable? Will someone enlighten
me. There must be a benefit for the hill country of Southern Indiana that I
don't see. Is this supposed to benifit cemeteries or the Mineral Companies
that can't destroy them. Mabey it's payback time.
Jack E. Briles
jb502000(a)aol.com
Jeffersonville, In.