From the Kokomo Tribune:
Faced with the likelihood the township will run out of money next year, Harrison Township officials are considering dipping into their dwindling reserve funds.
Last week township officials indicated they will vote Nov. 5 whether to move $32,000 out of an investment account.
Harrison Township Trustee Joyce Ancil said the money may be used for a number of purposes, but the township is running low right now on funds for poor relief.
The move comes as annexation and overspending have put the township in a precarious spot.
Next year, unless state officials allow a significant tax increase, the township’s revenues only are expected to fund about half of Ancil’s proposed budget. Ancil has a proposed budget of $235,000 next year, but county officials estimate she’ll receive about $118,000 to fund that budget, leaving her with a $117,000 deficit.
...
Ancil said the township wanted to consider consolidation with the other townships within the Western school district, but couldn’t get Honey Creek and Monroe townships to go along.
In eastern Howard County, Jackson, Liberty and Union townships have agreed to a referendum question on the November ballot. Ervin, Howard and Clay townships have also agreed to a referendum.
Consolidation could save Harrison Township taxpayers from having to bear the brunt of the trustee’s revenue problems.
According to the Howard County Assessor’s Office, the tax rate for fire protection in Harrison Township is supposed to increase by 89 percent next year, going from about 5.2 cents per $100 to 9.7 cents per $100.
http://kokomotribune.com/local/x688450147/Harrison-Twp-eyes-dipping-into-reserves
