Keeping Area Businesses Connected

The Connection

Newsletter of the Angola Area Chamber of Commerce

Spring /Summer 2012

* Remember to send your business brochures to the Chamber Office to keep our Resource Guide updated.

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events

May May
May 1: Election Forum at Trine University May 17: Business after Hours hosted by H&R Block

June June
June 6: Chamber Day in the Park at Selman Pavilion June 21 Business after Hours hosted by Frontier at

Glendarin Hills Golf Club

July July
July 4: Fourth of July Parade and Celebration July19: Business after Hours hosted by the Herald

Republican

Please RSVP at least 3 days prior to an event at info@angolachamber.org OR 260-665-3512

Dates are subject to change.

Angola Area Chamber of Commerce

EXECUTIVE BOARD
Chair Sue Essman, City of Angola Vice Chair Denise Payton, RISE, Inc. Treasurer Andy Aldred, Cameron Hospital Past Chair Jennifer Rumsey, Jemsey Designs

Chamber seeks New Executive Director

With the departure of Todd Gorman in March, our Search Committee is currently interviewing a number of applicants for the position of Executive Director. We extend Todd our best wishes in his new business ventures. Our new Executive Director will be named in the near future.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Barry Barenfanger - Potawatomi Inn & Restaurant Linda Bateman - Trine University Pam Doty - Mike Thomas Associates Scott Gruner - First Federal Savings Bank of Angola Hilary Price - Peter Franklin Jewelers Cheryl Weimer - Eberhard & Weimer Steve Wertman - Insurance and Financial Services Bobbi Grill - Steuben County United Way Steven Mayer - Steven C. Mayer Attorney At Law Tim Newby- Farmers State Bank

GLADIEUXCONSULTING
eight days a week

OFFICE STAFF
Nicole Vanette - Executive Assistant
*** 211 E. Maumee Street, Suite B, Angola, IN 46703 Phone: 260-665-3512 Fax: 260-665-7418 Professional Development & Coaching How can we help your team succeed? Excelling as a Supervisor Interviewing, Recruiting & Hiring Leadership Skills for Top Managers Interpersonal Conflict Management Harassment Prevention & Leveraging Diversity Project Management Skills Team Building Ethics in the Workplace 1:1 Executive and Employee Coaching Available 260.450.4202 www.gladieuxconsulting.com
20% Off Team Seminars for Angola Chamber Members

www.angolachamber.org
The Chamber Connection is published for members of the Angola Area Chamber of Commerce. If you are a member and would like to advertise please contact us.

Page 2

260-665-3512

101 Lakes Network

P.O. Box 218 Fremont, IN 46737 260-495-7414

Jodi Clouse/New York Life Insurance Company

1155 N 177 W Angola, IN 46703 260-316-2349

Backyard Kreations
729 E Chicago St Bronson, MI 49028 517-369-1585

Parkview Physicians Group

1234 E. Dupont Road Suite One Fort Wayne, IN 46825 (260) 373-7057

Baril Coatings USA, LLC

401 Growth Parkway Angola, IN 46703 260-665-8431

Phoenix Office Machines

P.O. Box 216 Kendallville, IN 46755 (260) 318-6565

Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana

6316 Mutual Dr Fort Wayne, IN 46825 (260) 484-9560

Sandhill Environmental Services, LLC

1975 West 100 North Suite C Angola, IN 46703 (260) 624-2401

Chuck Sheets
1070 W 100 N Angola, IN 46703 (260) 665-3519

Starks Plumbing & Heating Services, Inc.

101 Growth Parkway Angola, IN 46073 800-329-4040

Enchanted Lakes Community Organization, Inc.

401 W Maumee Angola, IN 46703 (260) 639-4353

Stevens Chiropractic Center

903 Williams St Angola, IN 46703 (260) 665-9479

Faith Harvest
200 W Park Ave Angola, IN 46703 (260) 665-1014

Remember Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13th and Father's Day is Sunday, June 17th. Chamber Gift Checks are a great solution for your gift-giving needs. These are available for purchase at the Chamber office. Thank you for Supporting your local Chamber Members. Visit our website at: www.angolachamber.org to get a listing of Chamber Members.

www.angolachamber.org

Page 3

Business After Hours

Our April Business After Hours event was hosted by PayServ and held at Glendarin Hills Golf Club. PayServ Systems offers custom-designed payroll administration software with related services, including Employee Benefits, Pay-as-You-Go Workers Compensation, Time and Attendance, and Human Resources Management. A company committed to service, PayServ can help you with anything and everything that touches your payroll, benefits, HR and more. Contact
info@payservsystems.com

for more information.

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260-665-3512

Social Media - Lunch & Learn

The Social Media Lunch & Learn sponsored by Mediacom, was held on Wednesday, February 15 from Noon to 1:00pm at Witmer Clubhouse on the campus of Trine University. The speaker was Anthony Juliano of the Asher Agency. Over 50 people attended the Lunch and Learn.

]xx Wx|z
Interior Design for the way you live & work
260-624-2900 260-624Allied Member

ASID

jennifer@jemseydesigns.com

Our Annual Luncheon and Expo

The Angola Chamber held their Annual Luncheon and Expo Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Potawatomi Inn. The Expo began at 9:30am with lunch starting at 11:30am. The keynote speaker was Scott Fergusson, Dean of Ketner School of Business, Trine University. Over 250 individuals attended the Luncheon and 25 businesses provided display booths at the Expo.
www.angolachamber.org Page 5

Pictured: Nicole Vanette, Jason Newburg and Sue Essman

March Member Of The Month - Aptica

Since 2003, Aptica has been successfully designing, installing, and troubleshooting business computer networks for our customers in the manufacturing, retail, and service industries. We offer proactive technology management, network administration, reactive support services and technology consulting. We also specialize in forensics, security, and the medical aspects of the IT field. Aptica employs a staff of six that possess excellent communication and people skills as well as have a high level of IT knowledge. Aptica prides itself on providing outstanding and affordable technology services tailored specifically for each business client.

The Budget Process in a Nutshell

by Pam Coleman, Steuben County Auditor (260-668-1000 ext 1218) Governmental budgeting is basically the same in any level, from the Federal down to local. In this article, we will discuss the local government budget participants which affect your tax rate. In Steuben County, the tax rate is an accumulation of budgets submitted by the following: County, NEI Solid Waste Management District, Township, School, Library, City and Town, and TIR District in Hudson. The County disburses tax dollars to the above described units as well as any Redevelopment Commission which has an established TIF district. When the local units of Government begin the budgeting process, there are several factors taken into consideration. The maximum levy is based on formula which incorporates the past six years non-farm personal income growth. It has hovered around 1.029% for several years but has the ability to fluctuate. This is your allowable growth for the taxable portion of your units budget. See Budget, PAGE 8

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260-665-3512

May 1st - Meet the Candidates

The Angola Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to invite you on May 1st to attend the 2012 Primary Election Meet the Candidates at Trine Universitys Fabiani Theatre located in the University Center. This event is open to the Public from 5:00pm to 7:00 pm. Come and meet the Primary Election Candidates. Each candidate will have the opportunity to provide a 3 minute statement about themselves and present their platform. After which, the candidates will be asked a few pre-determined questions concerning important issues in our business community. A reception will follow during which you may personally meet and speak with the candidates.

June 6th - Chamber Day in the Park

Our 2012 Chamber Day in the Park is scheduled for Wednesday, June 6th in Commons Park at the Selman Pavillion. It is open to the general public as a thank you for supporting the Chamber and its mission. Brats, hot dogs, and cake are provided. The event begins at 11:00am.

July 4th - Angola Chamber of Commerce brings the Red Tail Squadron "RISE ABOVE" Exhibit to Angola Balloons Aloft
It is with great excitement we are announcing the addition of the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron "Rise Above" Exhibit to Angola Balloons Aloft along with the rare red-tailed P-51C Mustang Fighter flown by the Tuskegee Airman. This exhibit is being sponsored by the Angola Chamber of Commerce through the generous grant funding from the Steuben County Community Foundation and the Olive B. Cole Foundation. Check out the Red Tail website at www.redtail.org.

August 23rd - The 19th Annual Chamber Golf Outing

Thursday, August 23rd will be our 19th Annual Chamber Golf Outing hosted by Lake James Golf Club and Mulligan's Restaurant and Pub. We have a wide range of sponsorship opportunities available for Chamber Members. For more information, contact the Chamber or any of our Golf Committee members. Golf Committee members: Hilary Price, Sue Essman, Jack Bercaw, Chuck Buschak, Pam Doty, Tim Newby

www.angolachamber.org

Page 7

Budget
From PAGE 6 Each layer of government is allowed the same taxable growth rate when figuring their budgets. Along with the taxable rate used in preparing the budget, the fiscal officer must also consider other revenue resources such as income tax share, motor vehicle highway funds (resulting from gas tax), fines, fees, permits and other funds for service. Each level of government receives their own specific portion of income tax, excise tax and state reimbursement unique to that level of government. During the budget preparation process, the County Assessor will certify the assessment to the Auditor. At this time, the Auditors office will credit each real estate parcel or personal property assessment with any exemptions, deductions, abatements or tax exempt status to the property tax roll filed on the parcel. Once these figures are gathered, the Auditor will deduct the TIF district values calculated from the real and personal values having the exemptions, deductions and abatements credited. These figures will then be reviewed and the county will factor in any unresolved appeals, refunds or changes in assessment based on preceding years trends. The Auditor is allowed to reduce the assessed value up to a 2% to cover any exemptions or deduction filed between June and the end of the year and these aforementioned assessment changes. This will then become the Certified Net Assessed Valuation (NAV) used for calculating budgets. Once the taxing unit has established their budget, the Certified NAV is used to calculate the rate. This is handled by the unit preparing what is called the form 4B which is required to be submitted to the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF). In the form 4B, the current year remaining budget, estimated revenues for 18 months, anticipated expenditure increase/reduction for the remaining six months of the budget year, property tax replacement credit, and maximum taxable levy are used to figure the tax rate. At this point of the budget process, the unit will then use this figure to set the tax rate for that particular fund (which is called line 16). The Tax Levy (line 16) is then divided by the Net Assessed Value divided by 100 to calculate the tax rate for that fund. In order to calculate the entire tax for your taxing district (example: City of Angola, Pleasant Township, Steuben Township, etc.) one must add all taxable fund for each taxing district. Each layer in the City of Angola, for example, must be accounted for. These are the funds with allowable taxes: County- General, Health, Cumulative Bridge, Cumulative Capital, Debt Service, Reassessment, Airport, Mental Health; Pleasant Township portion: Township General and Poor Relief; MSD Steuben County- School Debt Service, Capital Projects, Transportation, Bus Replacement and Pension Debt; Carnegie Library- Library Operating and Debt Service; City of Angola General, Motor Vehicle Highway, Parks/Rec and Cumulative Capital Development. Each of these rates are added together to total your tax rate of the taxing district where you work and live. This was a relatively simple process before changes in property tax caps and exemption deadline changes were enacted several years ago.We can discuss this at a later date. I hope this helps you understand the property tax process used in the State of Indiana. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact me to unlock the mystery of the budget and taxing process.