PLYMOUTH — With the new year just around the corner, lawmakers are getting set to return to Indianapolis, where property taxes will be at the center of the discussion. But some leaders aren't waiting to start talking.

State Representatives Bill Friend and Nancy Dembowski and Senator Ed Charbonneau sat down with people in Plymouth Thursday night for the third time to discuss how people want them to vote next session.

They say it's clear people are familiar with the governor's plan and want property taxes lowered. But what's not clear is how it can be done.

Property taxes — the two words that excite and anger many people.

"We're retired, and I just had my property taxes go up a few months ago $900," said one concerned homeowner.

"We think the system is way beyond repair," said Mike Bernero, another homeowner.

And lawmakers say they must act on the problem during their 30 day session in January.

"I think for us to fiddle while Rome burns is a major mistake," said Indiana Representative Bill Friend, (R) Macy.

According to a recent report co-authored by former Indiana Governor and South Bend Mayor Joe Kernan, Indiana has the tenth largest local government.

Under Governor Mitch Daniels' plan, it would be downsized to lower the cap on home and rental property taxes.

"There is the general consensus that we have a property tax mess on our hands that needs to be dealt with," said Indiana Senator Ed Charbonneau, (R) Valparaiso.

"There's lots to discuss. There's a lot that's controversial and difficult," said Rep. Friend.

The majority of people at Thursday's meeting in Plymouth couldn't agree on any part of the governor's plan including eliminating township assessors or maintaining school districts.

"The only good part I seen in Governor Daniels' plan was the referendum," said Herald Maynard at the meeting.

"I can never see changing the school system we have," said Cliff Allen who doesn't want smaller school districts to be consolidated.

And some people would rather not see another property tax bill.

"Why can't he take it down one more percent?" asked a retired homeowner.

Even recent polls show Hoosiers want lower property taxes but solutions range from no property tax to adding a sales tax.

"No one is going to be 100 percent pleased. This is a problem that in order to solve, I think everyone has to take a little bite of the apple," said Rep. Friend.

Representatives Dembowski and Friend and Senator Charbonneau say they're happy with how these discussions have gone. And say they will take each comment into consideration when they go back into session on January 8.