'Glint of light' for assessment reform<

I want to thank Sen. Michael Bond and co-sponsor Rep. Ed Sullivan for their effort to reform property assessments. Together, they've introduced a bill to help taxpayers understand their assessment.

Simply put: The people have spoken.

Since we began this battle in 2002, it has been the goal of taxpayers to have this issue land on the desks of state legislators for the needed fundamental reform. While this bill is a great start, fundamental change is still a ways down the road.

More good news is in store, however.

The Senate has empanelled the "Property Tax Relief and Reform" task force whose duty is to look at the entire system from top to bottom. I am preparing an executive summary for that panel.

Together with the dramatic changes made at the Lake County assessor level, which is part of the solution, there is a glint of light in the tunnel.

We now have state government working with county government and working for the people. There is more to do and it will take time. That is illustrated by the fact I've been on this case for six years and we're just now seeing real progress.

That means more and more accountability. It's what taxpayers deserve.

We're not done fighting.

Larry Leafblad

Lake County Board