GOSHEN, Ind. — Goshen City Council members have issued an open letter urging Indiana lawmakers to fix flaws in Senate Enrolled Act 1, warning the law could reduce city revenues by 38 percent by 2028. Councilors said the legislation, passed in the early hours of last spring without full understanding of its impact, jeopardizes funding for public safety, infrastructure, and other essential services.
Their concerns, shared in bipartisan support, align with a Sept. 4 joint statement from Elkhart County Commissioners, Councilors, and the Mayors of Elkhart, Goshen, and Nappanee, which raised many of the same issues.
Key Points from Goshen City Council Letter
- SEA 1 does not address rising property assessments, meaning tax bills could continue to climb despite promises of relief.
- The law risks higher service fees or reduced services, including delayed road repairs and slower emergency response times.
- SEA 1 shifts more tax burden from businesses to homeowners, leaving modest households with a greater share of the costs.
Read Full Letter Below
Respectfully signed by the Goshen Common Council
- Councilor Don Riegsecker, District 1
- Councilor Doug Nisley, District 2
- Councilor Matt Schrock, District 3
- Councilor Matt Schrock, District 3
- Councilor Megan Peel, District 4
- Councilor Phil Lederach, District 5
- Council President Brett Weddell, At-Large
- Councilor Linda Gerber, At-Large
- Youth Advisor Abril Reyes