FORT WAYNE – City taxpayers will not have to pay a tree tax next year.

The Board of Parks Commissioners rejected an idea Tuesday that would have assessed a special levy on each property tax bill in the city to pay for the damage caused by the emerald ash borer.

State law gives authority to parks boards to levy a special assessment – much like a drainage assessment – on properties within their district for street trees.

The special tax – up to $10 per parcel – would have paid for cutting down and replacing thousands of ash trees killed by the invasive insect.

Fort Wayne City Council members slammed the idea several weeks ago, but they have no authority to stop it.

For more on this story, see Wednesday’s print edition of The Journal Gazette or visit www.journalgazette.net after 3 a.m. Wednesday.

dstockman@jg.net