Elected Elkhart County Officials Lead Bipartisan Charge to Repair SEA 1

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. — Elected leaders across Elkhart County urge Indiana lawmakers to fix SEA 1 before it harms residents further.

The officials include ELkhart County Councilors and Commsissioners, as well as the Mayors of Elkhart, Goshen and Nappanee, who say the law fails to address the impact of rising property assessments on working families and retirees.

SEA 1 reduces local revenue and pressures cities to raise fees, create new taxes, or cut services.

The bipartisan joint letter warns that families are likely to face added costs for trash pickup, street repair, and emergency response. Leaders also raise concern over budgeting blind, without accurate projections until after local deadlines in 2025.

Homeowners could pay more while businesses contribute less under SEA 1’s current formula, officials argue. The law favors higher-value homes and risks double taxation in cities forced to adopt municipal income taxes.

Mayors and councilors call the consequences serious and unintended, with shrinking budgets projected by 2028. Local officials request a pause and partnership to revise the law before families suffer the long-term effects.

The full joint letter from Elkhart County Leaders follows:

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