HB 1476 – Reorganization of Municipality and Township
Authored by Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown)
Allows a municipality in a county (excluding Marion County) to reorganize with a township that has at least 70% of its population within the municipality, if: (1) the municipality adopts a reorganization plan; and (2) more than 50% of the voters in both the municipality and the unincorporated area of the township approve the reorganization plan. Establishes details of the process and requirements for the reorganization plan.
Chamber position: Support
The latest: The bill was amended to insert the requirement that 50% of the voters in both the municipality and the unincorporated portion of the township (the area outside the municipality) must approve the plan. The bill was held in order to allow testimony from those who were unable to testify this week due to time constraints on the meeting.
Indiana Chamber action/commentary: The Chamber testified in support of the bill, as amended, suggesting that the 70% overlap threshold and the 50% approval of both the municipality and the unincorporated portion of the township assure that the actions are not imposed against the will of any affected parties. We further stated that the Chamber sees this reorganization process as a means to figure out how “the best level of services can be provided to the greatest number of people, and be supported by an optimal-sized tax base.” The process in the bill and requirements of what must be addressed in the reorganization plan also assure ample opportunity for taxpayers to fully understand the ramifications of the plan before any votes are cast. This bill provides a meaningful opportunity for these locales to discover more efficient and effective ways of providing services to their constituents.
Resource: Bill Waltz at (317) 264-6887 or email: bwaltz@indianachamber.com
