Wayne County Municipal Unit Strategic Taskforce Meeting of September 16, 2026.

The Wayne County Municipal Unit Strategic Taskforce (MUST) convened on September 16, 2026, to discuss the upcoming changes in local government funding driven by Senate Enrolled Act One, which reforms property tax and local income tax (LIT) structures. The meeting focused on the transition from current LIT taxes to a new structure effective in 2029, with the county council assuming responsibility for setting various LIT rates. Participants, including town financial officers and city controllers, discussed the potential impacts on municipal budgets, the need for revenue replacement due to property tax caps and circuit breaker effects, and the importance of balancing tax increases with service needs. The taskforce reviewed current LIT distributions, potential maximum rates, and the implications for municipalities, schools, and libraries. No binding decisions were made, but the group agreed to hold a follow-up meeting in October to further explore rate-setting scenarios using a modeling portal provided by the Association of Indiana Counties. The meeting emphasized collaboration among local units to prepare for the 2028 decisions and to address concerns about revenue replacement and tax impacts on residents.