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House Committee Refuses to Let Voters Decide Municipal-Township Reorganization

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 [...]

2021-02-19T13:49:22-05:00February 19th, 2021|

Another Township Bad Actor Comes to the Forefront; State Budget at a Glance; Variety of Significant Tax Matters in the Works

State auditors are asking a township trustee in Grant County to repay taxpayers $56,628 following an audit that found she used township assistance funds to help herself and relatives, reports Indianapolis TV station WRTV. This is yet another prime example of why the Indiana Chamber has been pushing for years to eliminate township government; it’s outdated, rarely used and [...]

2019-07-19T14:18:34-04:00July 19th, 2019|

Bill to Require Township Capital Improvement Plans Gets Senate Committee Approval

House Bill 1177 – Township Government Issues Authored by Rep. Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville) Requires a township to prepare a capital improvement plan for the ensuing three years if the balance in certain capital improvement funds in the preceding year exceeds 150% of the township's annual budget estimate. Prohibits the township from collecting property taxes for certain capital improvement funds [...]

2019-04-05T13:23:44-04:00April 5th, 2019|

Top Story: House Bill Targets Township Boards; Chamber Says Group an Unnecessary Layer  

House Bill 1650 – Elimination of Township Boards Authored by Rep. Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville) Provides that on January 1, 2020, in all counties (except Marion County): (1) township boards are dissolved; (2) the duties and responsibilities of the township board are transferred to the township trustee; (3) the township trustee has the legislative and fiscal powers and duties of [...]

2019-02-08T11:30:41-05:00February 8th, 2019|

Tiny Steps Toward Township Reform

House Bill 1177 – Township Government Issues Authored by Rep. Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville) Requires a township to prepare a capital improvement plan for the ensuing three years if the balance in certain capital improvement funds in the preceding year exceeds 150% of the township’s annual budget estimate. Prohibits the township from collecting property taxes for certain capital improvement funds [...]

2019-01-18T13:43:51-05:00January 18th, 2019|

Keeping Antiquated System Wins Out as Township Merger Bill Killed

A group of self-interested people determined to maintain the status quo and protect a flawed township structure succeeded in bringing down the township reform legislation this week. The House Republican caucus elected to not bring House Bill 1005 before the full House, despite it previously being passed by two separate committees. The measure would have required townships with a [...]

2018-02-09T13:42:26-05:00February 9th, 2018|

Critical Vote on Township Merger Bill Monday; Contact Your Representative!

Bill # and Title: HB 1005 – Township Government Consolidation Author: Rep. Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville) Summary: Requires all townships with a population of less than 1,200 (as determined by the 2010 federal decennial census) to merge with other townships, effective not later than January 1, 2023. Requires merging townships to adopt identical resolutions and a merger plan. Requires the Department of Local Government [...]

2018-02-02T13:46:23-05:00February 2nd, 2018|

Amended Township Reform Bill Marches on to Ways and Means

Bill # and Title: HB 1005 – Township Government Matters Author: Rep. Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville) Summary: Requires all townships with a population of less than 1,200 to merge with other townships, effective not later than January 1, 2023. Provides that in all township mergers, the township board members of the new township government are elected at-large. Allows a township [...]

2018-01-26T14:43:48-05:00January 26th, 2018|

Township Merger Bill Starts Journey

Bill # and Title: HB 1005 – Township Government Matters Author: Rep. Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville) Summary: Allows a participating unit in a newly formed fire protection territory to phase in the unit’s property tax levy over a period not exceeding three years. Requires all townships with a population of less than 1,200 to merge with other townships, effective not [...]

2018-01-19T14:03:44-05:00January 19th, 2018|

Indiana Chamber Unveils Top Legislative Priorities for 2018, Honors Six ‘Champion’ Lawmakers for 2017 Efforts

(INDIANAPOLIS) — Closing the skills gap to enable more jobs to be filled and ensuring the state’s tax environment is ripe for business expansion are top priorities for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce in the upcoming 2018 legislative session. These initiatives and more were announced today at the organization’s annual legislative preview in Indianapolis, where six state legislators were [...]

2017-11-20T13:17:29-05:00November 20th, 2017|