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South Bend - A St. Joseph County commissioner thinks the private company leasing the Indiana Toll Road owes the county about $3.6 million a year in property taxes.
Commissioner Steve Ross contends the nearly $4 billion that an Australian-Spanish group paid the state in June to lease the Toll Road for 75 years constitutes a sale. He says that's the way the transfer was referred to in the agreement with the state for tax purposes.
Governor Daniels' press secretary says Ross is wrong, that the Toll Road is owned by the Indiana Finance Authority. A finance authority attorney says state legislation specifically exempts the Toll Road leasing company from taxation.
Thirty-three miles of the Toll Road pass through St. Joseph County.
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