INDIANAPOLIS -- The last time they were seen together was last year's mayoral debate, but Mayor Greg Ballard and former Mayor Bart Peterson shared a stage Thursday, touting a ballot proposal to eliminate township assessors.

Ballard, a Republican who beat out Peterson, a Democrat, for the mayor's spot in the fall of 2007 said that they both agree with eliminating a layer of government they said has cost taxpayers too much for too long, 6News' Rick Hightower reported.

"We don't have township prosecutors, auditors or recorders," Ballard said. "Why do we need township assessors?"

The Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, which brought Ballard and Peterson together, is leading the fight to reform the way businesses and residential property taxes are levied. If the assessor proposal -- question No. 1 on Tuesday's ballot -- is approved, eight assessor positions would be eliminated.

The move would save taxpayers an estimated $3 million.

"Vote 'yes' for smaller, smarter government. Vote 'yes' to eliminate unnecessary government. Vote 'yes' to save taxpayer dollars. Vote 'yes' for more consistent, fair, effective assessments here in Marion County," Peterson told the crowd.

But township assessors who are fighting to keep their positions say they can do the job better and cheaper than one county assessor can.

"It's been proven it runs up to $52 to do the assessments. Right now, our offices do it for $18," said Wayne Township Assessor Mike McCormack.

Others said they think there's something else behind the effort to push them out.

"They've spent a lot of money, thousand upon thousands, to do away with eight people," said Franklin Township Assessor Becky Williams. "There's got to be an ulterior motive here."

Ballard said that taxpayers will spend an additional $8 million this year on interest due to late property tax assessments. The assessors said those late bills are not their fault, but are the result of a new system with a conversion process that's not yet complete.