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Wells County is considered one of Indiana’s best counties as far as getting its most “bang for the buck” on property taxes, according to a study on the matter conducted by a New York -based website.

SmartAsset.com placed Wells County at No. 4 on its second annual study on property taxes, according to a news release it sent out Friday.

Ahead of Wells County were Jay, Daviess, and Blackford. The remainder of the top 10, according to SmartAsset, were Miami, Hancock, Brown, Green, Ripley, and Johnson counties.

Wells County was 26th in last year’s poll, the company said.

Chad Kline, Wells County’s economic development director, noticed the announcement Friday and passed it along.

“When businesses look to locate in a community, there are many factors they consider including taxes, workforce, and quality of life,” Kline said. “Wells County not only provides a low property tax rate, but is also recognized as having good quality schools and a low crime rate. All of these factors are what makes Wells County an attractive destination to grow your family and start a business.”

Wells’ property tax rate of 0.53 percent is the third lowest among the top 10; Miami and Brown, both at 0.51 percent, are lower. Under school rating, Wells’ 8.0 score was listed as fourth best. In terms of crimes per 100 people, however, Wells is second-worst at 707.

The overall value index — the basis of the rankings — puts Jay at 97.83, Daviess at 97.64, Blackford at 97.53, and Wells at 96.25. Miami was at 96.10.

SmartAsset considers itself a financial technology company. Its website provides information and advice on several items of personal finances.

Article by Dave Schultz, Courtesy of the News-Banner