FISHERS, Ind. -- Like many other Indiana homeowners, Fishers resident Brad Armstrong was concerned about reports that property tax bills will rise an average of 24 percent this year.

So he had an interest in the Legislature's efforts this year to lessen the increase. But the solution that lawmakers passed Sunday -- make people pay the full increase before returning part of it in a rebate check -- has puzzled him.

"I don't see the point of taking my money to give me my money at a later date," Armstrong told 6News' Norman Cox on Tuesday.

Many homeowners have echoed Armstrong's sentiment over the past two days, Cox reported.

Derek Black, a Hamilton County resident, said he would rather see tax relief put directly into his bill. He said he figured the state is wasting money by preparing and mailing rebate checks.

"Why do that? Just take it out of the original (tax bill)," Black said.

The lawmakers' measure, which Gov. Mitch Daniels signed Monday, is expected to reduce the projected average 24 percent increase in homeowners' property-tax bills this year to about 9 percent. Under the plan, homeowners would pay their bills in full but get a rebate check toward the end of the year.

The measure also is expected to provide property-tax relief for homeowners next year, but those reductions will be reflected on tax bills instead of rebates.

House Speaker Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, came up with the rebate idea. He said that when tax relief was put directly into bills previously, people didn't realize they were getting a break. The rebates, he said, will ensure that homeowners know how much the Legislature saved them.

But homeowners told 6News that isn't a good reason for making them pay the full increase up front.

"I don't know that it's necessarily a good idea. I don't think it helps the people," Hamilton County homeowner Donna Atchison said.

Chris Schulhof, a real-estate agent, said he believes the rebates are "a terrible idea."

Schulhof said requiring people to make the full payment before offering relief will lead to an increase in foreclosures. He said large bill increases will make it hard for people in marginal financial shape to make their mortgage payments.

"They get into homes that they can't afford, and when you go and add property taxes that the person can't afford, that's going to impact their monthly payment, and it impacts that person's ability to pay their mortgage," Schulhof said.

The bill that established the rebates passed the House in a 51-49 vote, with every House Republican voting against it. House Minority Leader Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, said his caucus wanted an extra $50 million in tax relief this year and next, and that he thought it was "ludicrous" to provide rebates rather than apply the tax reductions directly to people's bills.

The Republican-controlled Senate passed the measure with a 41-9 vote.