Times Reports Calumet Trustee Drops Lawsuit Blocking Griffith's Departure

From the Northwest Indiana Times:

The Calumet Township trustee has dropped a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a 2013 state law that could cut millions in assistance to Gary's neediest residents and let the town of Griffith leave the township.

Lawyers for Trustee Mary Elgin and Dwight Gardner, a Gary resident, filed a notice in U.S. District Court in Hammond Tuesday they want to dismiss litigation against state officials.

The state, which had been seeking the dismissal anyway, doesn't object to the township bowing out. The federal judge over the matter typically would grant the dismissal in such a case.

Gary attorney Robert Lewis, who represented the trustee in court, said Tuesday he received instructions from her to end the litigation. He declined further comment. Elgin didn't respond to calls for comment.

Elgin filed the suit in January claiming the law, known as House Bill 1585, was improper special legislation to provide tax relief to the predominantly white town of Griffith at the expense of black Gary residents.

However, Elgin will be leaving office following her loss in the May Democratic primary to Kimberly "Kim" Robinson. Robinson will face off Nov. 4 against Republican candidate Dorita P. Lee in the general election.

Robinson said Tuesday, if elected, she couldn't support continuing a lawsuit against the state that is unlikely to succeed.

...

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/gary/calumet-township-drops-lawsuit-blocking-griffith-s-departure/article_55026988-9f7a-5b61-aa38-535061b6770e.html

Star Reports Township Officials Burn Over Fire Merger Bill

From the Indianapolis Star:

Township officials on the Westside are fuming over a legislative proposal that would let Indianapolis acquire their fire departments without their consent.

“This is a hostile move, a blatant grab for power,” said Andy Harris, Wayne Township’s trustee.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Cindy Kirchhofer R-Beech Grove, would require only the approval of the Indianapolis City-County Council and the mayor to merge the fire departments of Decatur, Pike and Wayne townships into the Indianapolis Fire Department.

Five other township departments have merged with IFD since 2007. but they joined voluntarily — and local officials voted for it. Decatur, Pike and Wayne have resisted because they insist their services are as good or better than IFD .

“There has been no movement in our township by residents or elected officials to consolidate,” said Lula Patton, the Pike Township trustee. “We are on budget and deliver a high quality of service. The way this bill is written is unfair. None of us has a say in this.”

The Indiana House recently approved House Bill 1229 by a 74-20 vote, and it has been assigned to the Senate Local Government Committee. Chairman Sen. Randall Head R-Logansport, said he is undecided about whether to schedule a hearing. If he does, it would be held in about two weeks.

“I’ve been talking to people on both sides of the issue and have a lot to sort out,” he said.

A law on the books requires consent of the township trustee and board for any merger. But Sen. Jim Merritt R-Indianapolis, a sponsor of HB 1229, said he has grown impatient waiting for the townships to merge, which he sees as inevitable.

“I’ve been working on this process for a long time, and nothing has worked for these three townships,” he said. “I think it is time we let the mayor and council to make a local decision for something that will save taxpayers money.”

Kirchhofer said the time to bring the other townships in for consolidation is long overdue. She said mergers have cut costs and improved efficiency.

“We are the only incorporated city in Indiana that still has township fire departments.”
...

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2014/02/11/township-officials-fume-over-indianapolis-fire-merger-bill/5390019/

News-Sentinel Argues Consolidation is the Obvious Solution for Small Districts

From the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel:

Many of Indiana’s small, mostly rural public school corporations, Ball State University reports, face shrinking enrollments. They’re also being hit with diminished revenue because of changes in the state tax code. Providing a quality education will become more and more difficult.

The solution, proposed in a policy brief from Ball State, is obvious but likely to be resisted: Small districts should consolidate with other small districts that are near. According to Dagney Faulk, research director for the university’s Center for Business and Education Research, fewer than 10 percent of the very small school corporations (fewer than 1,000 students) are not contiguous to another very small corporation.

“A consolidated school corporation,” said Michael Hicks, the CBER director, “can provide an equivalent level of educational services at a lower cost per student by avoiding redundant expenditures.” The center reported in 2012 that school corporations of about 2,000 students represent the “minimum efficient corporation size.”

Certainly, bigger is not always better. If a corporation has too many students, it is less likely to be as invested in each individual student. But the “smaller can be better” argument is more appropriately made for schools, which can confront students with a bureaucratic maze if they get too big.

The plain fact is that school corporations can be too small to fulfill their missions. It makes perfect sense for distressed corporations to merge in order to reduce redundancy and improve efficiency. In fact, it makes more sense than the city-county consolidations that get all the headlines. City and county governments in many ways have different functions. School corporations do not.

The General Assembly has placed much emphasis on public education in recent years. It could do worse than making it easier for small school corporations to merge. It could even create incentives to do so.

...

http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140212/EDITORIAL/140219908/0/SEARCH

Herald-Bulletin Calls for Township Consolidation

From the Anderson Herald-Bulletin:

If you want taxpayers to throw up their hands and say “begone” with a government employee, office or an entire department, then provide voters with proof of financial errors.

Taxpayers can usually forgive lapses in judgment or morality. But accounting problems? It shouldn’t happen with government entities when they have access to all sorts of handbooks, associations, and accountants that can help in balancing the books.

A state audit of Anderson Township Trustee’s Office recently showed that there were enough discrepancies in bookkeeping to yield a $4,125 payment to the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS had also placed a hold on the township’s bank account.

The audit covered the period from Jan. 1, 2011, to Dec. 31, 2012.

During that time, the trustee’s office hired an accounting firm which, on a monthly basis, received financial information from the trustee. Neither accounted for financial activity in the same manner, the report said.

As an example, the trustee records indicated a budget balance of $31,591 for 2012 while the accounting firm cited $33,740. The difference of about $2,149 may not seem much until the penalty amounts to almost twice that.

This all comes at a time when many Hoosiers have pushed for the elimination of township government, an outdated system that worked fine more than 100 years ago ago before cars or computers were so prevalent. Townships can be absorbed into county government. In some cases, the consolidation would prevent overlapping tax districts where residents pay taxes to numerous entities. In other cases, consolidation could eliminate tiny bookkeeping headaches that penalize taxpayers.

Township services, including welfare relief and cemetery maintenance, would be rolled into county duties.

The argument against consolidation has often been that it would require just as many workers to provide services — they would just be under one umbrella instead of hundreds of individual townships.

...

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/editorials/x1262674407/Editorial-Township-error-another-case-for-cosnolidation

Kokomo Tribune Argues Merge Our Townships

From the Kokomo Tribune:

State Rep. Mike Karickhoff has authored five bills and co-authored five more for the 2014 legislative session.

“My focus continues to be on giving local communities the power and flexibility to handle issues that come up in local neighborhoods and throughout the county,” the Kokomo Republican told us last week.

House Bill 1194 is a good example. It authorizes an additional county tax rate aimed at offsetting local government revenue losses due to tax caps on property.

But it’s House Bill 1267, which Karickhoff co-authored, that really got our attention. On Jan. 1, 2019, in every county except Marion County, the bill says, all townships will merge into a single entity.

Finally, perhaps, our state legislators will take seriously the consolidation recommendations of the Commission on Local Government Reform. Some in Howard County did. Center Township Trustee Jean Lushin was among them, as were the boards of Clay, Howard and Liberty townships.

All voted to take to referendum a proposal to consolidate townships along school corporation boundaries.

The Ervin and Union township boards? Not so much. Despite their failure to respond to the consolidation plan, people in the Eastern and Northwestern school districts still voted on township mergers in 2012.

The plan failed.

A survey of 452 registered voters discovered 61 percent were in favor of some sort of township merger, Lushin told us in 2011. And 35 percent of those advocating consolidation supported reducing townships within school districts.

Though we believe Howard County easily could coordinate fire protection, maintain cemeteries and take care of poor relief, we recognize Hoosiers vote from their front porches.
...

http://www.kokomotribune.com/opinion/x651193968/Merge-our-townships

Tribune Argues Merge Townships in Howard County

From the Kokomo Tribune:

We’ve got good government in Howard County. Property tax bills are mailed on time. Every resident has access to a library. And our five public school systems nurture achievement while keeping an eye on spending.

It’s understandable then that some here don’t recognize as needed the recommendations of the Commission on Local Government Reform, despite the fact Center Township has $7.4 million in cash reserves, Taylor Township has banked more than twice the amount its spends each year, and Harrison Township’s tax rate for fire protection has nearly doubled, as we reported Sunday.

But within the last few years, the commission’s suggestions for government consolidation have gotten the attention of locals.

Count Center Township Trustee Jean Lushin among them, and the boards of Clay, Howard and Liberty townships as well. All voted to take to referendum a proposal to consolidate Howard County townships along school corporation boundaries.

The Ervin and Union township boards? Not so much. Despite their failure to respond to the consolidation plan, people in the Eastern and Northwestern school districts still voted on township mergers last November.
...

Though we believe Howard County easily could coordinate fire protection, maintain the cemeteries and take care of poor relief, we recognize Hoosiers vote from their front porches.

If their trash gets collected, if their streets get paved and plowed, they believe all is right with the world. As evidenced by the study committee survey, consolidating our townships appears more palatable to voters than the elimination of township government altogether.

We urge Howard County voters and government leaders not to let this initiative be forgotten. Let’s dust off the consolidation plan and work to merge our townships.

http://kokomotribune.com/opinion/x86516668/Merge-our-townships

Chase: Threat of Secession, a Warning Shot to Townships

By Marc Chase in the Northwest Indiana Times:

A collective groan could be heard from Calumet Township recently as a law opening the door for Griffith to leave the township took effect in Indianapolis. Though it might sound ominous to some, the groan has the potential to be the harmony of forced government reform.

Griffith has long sought to leave the township, largely because of out-of-control township government spending that Griffith officials don't believe is giving the town much of a bang for its buck. This has forced conditions of an unhappy marriage, and Griffith essentially is suing for divorce.

Meanwhile, Calumet Township has pushed to force Griffith to stay in this loveless relationship. Some status quo supporters proclaim Griffith's push to leave is based on racism, an ugly and inaccurate characterization of the true motivation.

Griffith officials haven't sought to leave because a larger percentage of their neighbors to the north have a different skin color. The numbers reveal the true catalyst toward secession.

The township's poor assistance tax rate is a whopping 22.64 times the state average, or about three times higher than the next highest township.

Griffith pushed for legislation in the most recent session to force the township into a more reasonable tax rate no more than 12 times the state average. The same bill also allows for an emergency manager to take over the township if the rate isn't reduced to that level by 2014. Griffith could leave the township if the rate isn't reduced to 12 times the state average by 2015.

And what about all the money in Calumet Township not being spent on helping the township's economically disadvantaged? It isn't racist to take issue with the township's admitted expenditure of about 43 cents of every dollar on administrative overhead versus poor relief.

Current Township Trustee Mary Elgin has taken some recent steps in the right direction, including handing over the keys to the township's costly ambulance service to a private entity. But it shouldn't stop there.

Now that the bill is law, Calumet Township must look at new ways to become leaner or face the prescribed consequences. Either way, Griffith wins.

...

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/columnists/marc-chase/marc-chase-threat-of-secession-a-warning-shot-for-townships/article_25f5b67d-2db7-58cd-8610-4e2b6b6c909f.html

NWI Reports Calumet Township Trustee May Lose Both Griffith and Checkbook

From the Northwest Indiana Times:

Calumet Township Trustee Mary Elgin faces the prospect of having to slash at least $1.7 million, if not millions more, from a poor relief program that sustains thousands of Gary's neediest, but is accused of smothering Griffith's taxpayers.

Gov. Mike Pence signed into law Friday afternoon House Bill 1585, which puts Elgin on notice that if she cannot rein in her office's spending practices, the state may do it for her.

Elgin, who declined comment, previously told The Times she has a legal duty to provide assistance to all eligible residents, including shelter, utilities, clothing, medical care and school book payments. She has cut her budget to appease Griffith concerns, but Griffith taxpayers have a responsibility to the township's poor, she said.

Elgin also has complained her spending practices aren't as burdensome as depicted in state accounting reports.

Griffith Town Councilman Rick Ryfa, who helped lobby for passage of House Bill 1585, said the problem is real and the cure could be cuts in Elgin's spending up to about $4 million.

"Or, she could just tell Griffith to go ahead and leave the township and she would only lose the $1.7 million we take away," he said.

...

The law would only go into effect if Elgin cannot reduce the office's property tax rate funding Calumet's township assistance to less than 12 times the average of the state's 1,008 townships. It currently is at 22.6 times the state average, the Legislative Service Agency estimates.

Failure to meet the tax rate threshold in the new law could trigger two things: the state's Distressed Unit Appeal Board's oversight of the trustee's checkbook and, eventually, Griffith's potential departure from Calumet Township.

Griffith could leave Calumet as early as 2016 if two thirds of Griffith's residents ratify the move through a referendum.

Griffith's departure would force Calumet to tax its remaining property owners at an even higher rate to make up for the lost taxes, 20 percent higher, according to Legislative Services.
...

See the full article here:

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/gary/cal-twp-trustee-may-lose-both-griffith-checkbook/article_9cd6c044-5d58-5a7d-8bce-8a92de5ef263.html

Star Report Governor Signs Marion County Reform Legislation

From the Indianapolis Star:

Mayor Greg Ballard has released a one sentence statement on Gov. Mike Pence’s signing of SB621:

“I applaud Governor Mike Pence and the Indiana General Assembly’s decision to protect Marion County taxpayers, promote economic development and strengthen the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.”
...

Gov. Mike Pence has signed Senate Bill 621, which eliminates four at-large City-County Council seats in 2015 and makes other controversial changes in Marion County government.

“Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 621 came to my desk in the midst of no small amount of controversy,’’ Pence said in a news release announcing his action.

“Given the competing views of this legislation, I have made a point to meet with supporters and opponents and have given careful consideration to their viewpoints. Hoosiers with differing views on this legislation have made thoughtful arguments, and I respect the opinions expressed by both sides.

“Unfortunately, what began as a serious effort to strengthen Indianapolis’ economic and fiscal condition got clouded by politics. In making my decision, I focused exclusively on the policy and what would be in the best interest of the people of Indiana.

“Despite my misgivings about certain aspects of SEA 621, I am signing this legislation because it serves the public interest by granting to the current Mayor of Indianapolis—and any future Mayor of either political party—the authority to manage the City’s finances in a manner that protects taxpayers and encourages economic development and job creation.”

Maggie Lewis, the Democratic president of the City-County Council, sent out the following note in reaction on her Twitter feed: “Today SB 621 became law eliminating at-large members. My goal is to continue to do the work of the people and focus on results.’’

See the full article here:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013305110034

Star Reports 2013 Legislative Session "Mixed Bag" for Marion County Mayor

From the Indianapolis Star:

In the recently finished General Assembly session, bills favored by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard ended with a mixed bag of results.

After finally passing the Indiana House for the first time, a bill that would have authorized a mass transit referendum was punted by the Senate to a summer study committee.

One big potential victory is a bill that would expand the mayor’s appointment and budget powers at the expense of the City-County Council and Democratic county office holders. That measure awaits the signature of Gov. Mike Pence, a fellow Republican who is facing pressure to veto it from Democrats and others who portray the bill as a GOP power grab.

Senate Bill 621, among other things, would allow the mayor’s appointed controller to adjust, twice a year, all city and county departments’, offices’ and agencies’ budgets if incoming revenues are insufficient to support planned spending.

It also would eliminate the council’s four at-large seats (all occupied by the majority Democrats) after the 2015 election. That is a change Ballard says he didn’t request, but the Senate sponsor insisted it go in the final version.

Pence, for his part, has said he has concerns about the bill but has declined to specify them.
...

See the full article here:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013305040014

NWI Reports Pence Backs Study of County Government

From the Northwest Indiana Times:

State lawmakers are expected to study the structure of Indiana county government this summer with an eye toward establishing a single county executive.

Republican Gov. Mike Pence last week signed into law Senate Enrolled Act 475 urging the General Assembly to consider replacing the three-member boards of county commissioners with county presidents.

The new law also calls for a review of whether putting a county's legislative and fiscal authority entirely in control of the county council, as Lake and St. Joseph counties already do, works better than splitting those powers between the council and the commissioners.

The ideas for a single county executive and county councils with full legislative and fiscal authority were the top two recommendations of a 2007 report on local government reform written by former Gov. Joe Kernan and former Chief Justice Randall Shepard.

They've not advanced in the Legislature despite several attempts during the administration of former Gov. Mitch Daniels.

The county government study was among 17 new laws Pence signed last week. He's now signed 93 measures approved by the Republican-controlled House and Senate into law and vetoed none.
...

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/pence-backs-study-of-county-government-reforms/article_bd4d84e8-6437-504a-aed8-ba7287f68b2d.html

NWI Argues Giffith Bill is "Good Start"

From the Northwest Indiana Times:

The legislation that enables Griffith to exit Calumet Township is acceptable, but realize that this is a Band-Aid and not a permanent solution.

House Bill 1585 will become law if Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signs it. Under the terms of that bill, Griffith is allowed to leave Calumet Township if the township's spending isn't brought under control by 2014.

Calumet Township's township assistance tax rate, used to fund poor relief, is 22.64 times the state average -- nearly three times that of the next highest township tax rate. The legislation forces Calumet Township to reduce its rate to no more than 12 times the state average in the next year or risk losing Griffith.

If the township's rate doesn't shrink, the Indiana Distressed Unit Appeals Board could appoint an emergency manager to run the township. In 2015, if the rate is still too high, Griffith would be allowed to have a referendum to join a different township.

This is good news for Griffith, which has battled for years to escape from the costly township tax burden. Township Trustee Mary Elgin has been cutting spending, but there's a long way to go.

The twin threats of possible state takeover and of Griffith being allowed an exit strategy will, we hope, force Calumet Township to bring its spending in line with others.

But this legislation fails to address the larger problem, of which Griffith's complaint is a symptom.

Indiana still needs to determine how best to fund and operate poor relief so the burden of helping the poor isn't concentrated in impoverished areas.

...

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/editorial-griffith-legislation-is-a-good-start/article_bf0ccf9b-c68f-5fbe-a91d-6998cb2f0781.html

NWI Reports Black Lawmakers Seek Veto on Calumet Township Spending Limits Bill

From the Northwest Indiana Times:

Northwest Indiana's black state lawmakers want Gov. Mike Pence to veto legislation that would force Calumet Township to reduce its administrative spending and potentially enable Griffith to leave the township.

State Sens. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, and Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, told reporters Monday they have sent a letter to the Republican governor asking him to reject House Bill 1585.

Joining the two senators in opposing the measure — which passed the Republican-controlled House, 62-26, and the Republican-controlled Senate, 36-12 — were state Reps. Charlie Brown, D-Gary; Earl Harris, D-East Chicago; Vernon Smith, D-Gary; and several Indianapolis members of Black Legislative Caucus.

The group suggested that racism in general and specific hatred toward Calumet Township Trustee Mary Elgin, who is black, is at the core of the legislation.

...

Under the legislation, if Calumet Township fails to reduce its spending this year, the Indiana Distressed Unit Appeals board would be empowered in 2014 to appoint an emergency manager to run the township, which includes portions of Griffith, Gary, Lake Station and unincorporated Lake County.

A continuing inability to reduce the township's tax rate used for poor relief to 12 times the state average, from the current 22.64 times, would permit Griffith, which receives about $10,000 in annual township services but pays $1.7 million in township taxes, to hold a 2015 referendum on whether to leave Calumet Township and join another.

An investigation by The Times found that Calumet Township spends more on poor relief than any other township in the state — mostly on staff costs.

The township has more employees than every other Lake County township combined and spent $45 million over the past 10 years to distribute $64 million in poor relief.

...

The legislation likely will reach Pence's desk in early May.

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/black-lawmakers-seek-veto-on-calumet-twp-spending-limits/article_8ba143c8-887b-53d5-a8ec-4efb000f8170.html

NWI Reports Senate OKs Limits on Calumet Spending; Gives Griffith Chance to Leave

From the Northwest Indiana Times:

The Indiana Senate has approved legislation, long sought by Griffith residents, limiting Calumet Township spending and giving Griffith a chance to leave the township if spending continues at current levels.

The Republican-controlled chamber voted 36-12 Thursday for House Bill 1585, with every Democrat except state Sen. Frank Mrvan, D-Hammond, voting no.

The measure now returns to the Republican-controlled House where the sponsor, state Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, said he's likely to agree with Senate changes to the proposal, which will send it directly to Republican Gov. Mike Pence for his signature or veto.

Under the plan, Calumet Township would have one year to reduce its township assistance tax rate used for poor relief programs to no more than 12 times the state average. It is currently 22.64 times the state average, a rate nearly three times greater than the next highest township.

If the township does not reduce its assistance tax rate by 2014, the Indiana Distressed Unit Appeals Board could then appoint an emergency manager to run the township, which includes parts of Griffith, Gary, Lake Station and unincorporated Lake County.

In 2015, if the township assistance tax rate remains above 12 times the state average, Griffith would be entitled to hold a referendum on leaving Calumet Township and joining another.

...

See the full article here:

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/senate-oks-limits-on-calumet-twp-spending-gives-griffith-chance/article_faf63569-fdc7-5c96-8e1b-094ac118b5a3.html

NWI Publishes Articles Related to Giffith's Attempts to "Secede" from Calumet Township

From the Northwest Indiana Tiems:

The Town Council on Tuesday said relief from the financial drain of Calumet Township might be just two votes away.

The original secession language passed by the Indiana House, which had been removed from HB-1585 by the Senate, was recently restored by state Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Buck Creek.

After a lengthy Senate debate during a second reading on Tuesday, the bill advanced with the language intact, which means the bill will soon get a full Senate vote.

"The original language went back in because he heard very loudly from Griffith residents about what they were unhappy about," said Griffith Clerk-treasurer George Jerome.

"I believe we've made a strong step not only for the taxpayers in Griffith, but also for good government for all the citizens of Calumet Township," Hershman said in an email Tuesday evening.

"We have a bill in place that will allow Griffith to leave the township" in 2015 if necessary, said Rick Ryfa, R-3rd, the council's vice president. "We've been going on this for six years."

Ryfa said there are probably just two votes remaining for the bill: the full Senate — perhaps as early as Thursday; and the full House.

"If everything goes well, it will probably go to the governor in a week or two," Ryfa added.

If the bill is signed, the township would have until next year to rein in its assistance tax rate. If the township fails, the state would control township spending in 2014.

If both efforts failed to reduce the township's spending to 12 times the state average, Griffith residents would be allowed a 2015 referendum to decide whether to secede from the township.

...

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/griffith/griffith-council-happy-township-bill-language-reinstated/article_d9b533d1-2198-529e-aa8d-6f87598786f5.html

If some day Griffith succeeds in separating from Calumet Township, no one can say state Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, didn't try to stop it from happening.

For nearly 90 minutes Tuesday, and long after most of the 49 other senators lost interest, Rogers repeatedly suggested changes to House Bill 1585 to give advantage to Calumet Township in its long-running spending dispute with Griffith, whose residents pay huge property tax bills to support township poor relief but get relatively little for their money.

Rogers' proposed amendments would have barred Griffith from leaving the township, given the township additional years to get its finances in order, prevented a state takeover of the township and exempted a large pot of township spending from financial controls.

Each proposal was defeated on a nearly party-line vote as the Senate Republican majority agreed with the legislation's sponsor, state Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Buck Creek, that it's long past time for Calumet Township spending to fall in line with other Indiana townships.

The Senate could vote as soon as Thursday on final passage of the legislation, which gives Calumet Township one year to reduce its township assistance tax rate for poor relief spending to no more than 12 times the state average.

Calumet Township's current township assistance tax rate is 22.62 times the state average, and the township spends $2.32 on administration to distribute each dollar of poor relief, Hershman said.

The next-highest township assistance tax rate is just eight times the state average.

If Calumet Township fails to reduce its tax rate by 2014, the legislation requires the Indiana Distressed Unit Appeals board to consider appointing an emergency manager with broad powers to reduce township spending.

Should that fail to bring the township assistance tax rate below 12 times the state average, Griffith residents then could hold a referendum as soon as 2015 on whether to leave Calumet Township and join another.

Rogers told senators that letting Griffith "secede" from Calumet Township, which also includes portions of Gary, Lake Station and unincorporated Lake County, would set a dangerous precedent that could put all Indiana political boundaries at risk.

Hershman said that's why it's a "last resort" to resolve excessive township spending that's been "persistent and significant."

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/senators-back-griffith-refuse-to-change-plan-limiting-calumet-twp/article_3525a7a0-9ff6-5a72-b206-5d5c11d14fa1.html

NWI Editorial Argues Griffith's Plight Symptom of Larger Problem

From the Northwest Indiana Times:

Griffith officials are still looking for the exit, trying to get out from under the cost of supporting Calumet Township.

Legislation to ease Griffith residents' property tax burden is working its way through the Indiana General Assembly.

House Bill 1585 would allow a referendum giving Griffith residents the option of withdrawing from Calumet Township. A two-thirds majority of the votes would be required to do so. Once that separation occurs, Griffith would be free to ask another township to take the town under its wing.

The legislation was passed by the House and is now before the Senate Committee on Local Government.
The legislation addresses a symptom but doesn't treat the larger problem of the unequal distribution of the burden of poor relief.

Calumet Township's township assistance -- poor relief -- property tax rate is more than 15 times the state average. Much of the problem is the concentrated poverty in Gary.

Griffith taxpayers are being crushed by the burden of that Calumet Township poor relief, but withdrawing from the township helps only the Griffith taxpayers, not those remaining in Calumet Township.

A better solution would be to study poor relief costs and practices in Indiana and could up with a better way to fund that service. If costs can be lowered without affecting the quality of the service, that's all the better.

The high cost of services in some townships drove the push to eliminate township government, which has stalled. Even if that's not the solution, there has to be a better way to address poor relief costs than the existing method that puts so much pressure on Griffith.

This issue is ripe for a legislative study committee. Do a thorough study to see what other communities are in a similar situation and whether there's a better way to fund poor relief.

Pulling Griffith out of Calumet Township without addressing the overall problem isn't the answer.

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/editorial-griffith-s-plight-is-symptom-of-larger-problem/article_9b1c6d25-5ab0-594f-880a-dcf4d122f81e.html

NWI Reports Senate Panel Delays Hearing on Griffith/Calumet Township Separation

From the Northwest Indiana Times:

A Statehouse hearing on legislation that could enable Griffith to leave Calumet Township and join another township was postponed due to Tuesday's region snowstorm.

House Bill 1585, sponsored by state Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, was set for public testimony and review Wednesday afternoon by the Senate Local Government Committee. Late Tuesday night, that hearing was canceled by the committee chairman, state Sen. Randy Head, R-Logansport, due to the snow in Northwest Indiana.

"I actually recommended to the committee chairman that we wait so everyone can have their say," Slager said. "We didn't want a situation where folks couldn't come from Lake County."

The Senate committee will now likely take up the House-approved proposal on March 13.

Slager said the delay gives him and other supporters of the legislation more time to explain to senators the unique financial situation of Griffith relative to Calumet Township, which spends more on poor relief per capita than any other township in Indiana.

He said Griffith property owners pay approximately $1.7 million a year in taxes for township poor relief but only get between $10,000 and $15,000 back from the township, which also includes parts of Gary, Lake Station and unincorporated Lake County.
...

The legislation, which is co-sponsored by state Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Buck Creek, would allow Griffith to hold a referendum on whether to leave Calumet Township if 30 percent of town voters sign a referendum petition.

Two-thirds of referendum voters then would have to support quitting Calumet Township to permit the separation.

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/senate-panel-delays-hearing-on-griffith-cal-twp-separation/article_bd53d6fe-a622-56f7-a4a0-e8761b7bb6f1.html

Griffith Makes Another Move to Remove itself from Calumet Township

From the Northwest Indiana Times:

After six years of trying to leave Calumet Township, the Town Council said Tuesday that 2013 may finally be the charm.

A bill, HB-1585, was introduced in the Indiana House of Representatives on Monday by freshman Rep. Hal Slager-R, Schererville.

"(It) allows for the transfer of a municipal territory to an adjacent township if certain conditions are satisfied," Slager said Tuesday afternoon.

The bill says a community can conduct a referendum among its own citizens to determine whether to leave a township and join an adjacent one — if the township's assistance property tax rate is 15 times the statewide assistance average.

Griffith's tax rate is more than 30 times the average, Griffith Council Vice President Rick Ryfa, R-3rd, noted.

Slager said his bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster; and Gerald Torr, R-Carmel.

...

If the bill becomes law, it will be effective starting July 1.

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/griffith/griffith-makes-another-bid-to-leave-calumet-township/article_c3018305-70fe-5b6c-bebe-52dc3b56bd9d.html

Evansville Resident Argues for Consolidation

From the Evansville Courier & Press:

Are we tardy in unifying our Evansville City and Vanderburgh County governments? Many nearby cities, such as Nashville, Indianapolis and Lexington, have long ago succeeded in unifying these duplicative units of government. Is it time we do likewise?

The question before us as we consider the Nov. 6 referendum about reorganizing our local government is why vote "Yes,", or why vote "No." Those who remonstrate against this referendum's reform and encourage us to vote "No" have persistently argued that more units of government offer greater checks and balances. They contend more government is better. As one who has represented both remonstrators and petitioners for decades before these governmental units, I must say unequivocally — it is mostly detrimental having more local government units. Little good is derived from these added units layered on top of our already burdensome and growing state and federal bureaucracies. Having both a Mayor and three County Commissioners, who are many times at odds on key policies and initiatives, no longer makes sense for one of Indiana's smallest geographic counties. The outdated separation of our City and County governments often unnecessarily divides us and leads to more expensive conflicts and duplication, rather than beneficial checks and balances.

Remonstrators to the passage of this referendum's unifying reforms contend that it is fair to tax city residents for sheriff's patrols that do not serve the majority of our Vanderburgh County residents' homes. Those same remonstrationers, who mostly live outside the city limits, then ironically argue it is fair that they not be taxed for the police patrols that benefit them while working and shopping daily in the city limits. Law enforcement is our local governments' largest budgetary line item. Why should city residents (who incidentally represent 2/3 of Vanderburgh County's population) pay for both police and sheriff patrols, while the other Vanderburgh County residents living outside the city limits pay for just one. Could this really be the selfish motivation for why some would ask that you vote "No"?

The Reorganization plan that is before us has been thoroughly vetted and adopted by a diverse volunteer citizen committee that included rural and urban residents. This plan was then legislatively revised and affirmed by both our City and County elected governments. This Reorganization plan was heavily debated and as adopted contains numerous compromises to accommodate both the concerns for the rural and urban residents. This plan puts in place a more representative structure of local government, in contrast to our current system, which continually divides us. While uniting us, this plan provides for a more nimble local governmental structure. This structure will allow us to more effectively compete with others in our swiftly changing global economy.

Over the last 30 years we have extensively studied local government reform. Our leaders have visited with officials and taxpayers in Nashville, Lexington and Louisville. Never has it been found in those studies that a referendum has been organized to repeal their unifications once passed. Our own single unified Vanderburgh County school system has likewise served us well for decades. Never has an effort ever been truly advanced for repealing this unification. If local government unification were so bad, then why have all of those efforts withstood the test of time? Like other cities and our very own school system, now is the time that we too accomplish a similar unification of our local government's administrative, fiscal and legislative affairs.

To vote "No" will result in furthering the harsh process of random annexations on our rural subdivisions. To vote "No" denies our rural residents a right to vote for our mayor. To vote "No" is to artificially see Evansville as a smaller place in the important census and atlas listings relied upon by economic development prospects. To vote "No" is to say we are looking backward and not forward. If you are instead forward looking, if you see annexation as an unjust, divisive and costly means to growth, if you want all county residents to vote for our mayor, and if you want a community that better competes statistically in the world economy, then vote "Yes."

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/oct/31/help-community-look-forward-vote-yes/

Editorial Argues Conference on Consolidation Misstated the Facts

From the Evansville Courier & Press:

It was billed as a "special news conference" to answer claims made by supporters of the plan to consolidate Evansville-Vanderburgh County government.

But when consolidation opponents unveiled their arguments Tuesday, they cherry-picked parts of pro-consolidation quotes without providing context and made a claim of higher taxes based on a long-outdated financial analysis.

Citizens Opposed to Reorganization in Evansville also pointed out that 12 percent of donations received by Yes! for Unification this year came from areas outside of Vanderburgh County — without mentioning that 14 percent of CORE's own intake came from other areas.

The news conference at local Fraternal Order of Police headquarters included a CORE-generated document called, "Clarifications about the reorganization issue."

"I don't think you ever say it (consolidation) creates jobs," the document quoted Greg Wathen, president of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana. The quote came from a Sept. 26 televised debate at WNIN-PBS9's studio.

But CORE did not include what Wathen said in his very next breath: "What you're doing is creating an economic climate where this activity takes place."

CORE trumpeted another quote from Wathen citing "no empirical data that specifically says it's (consolidation) either good or bad as it relates to economic development." But the anti-consolidation group did not include Wathen's follow-up statement citing a causal relationship and the likelihood of "improvement within the economic performance of the marketplace."
...

See the full article here:

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/oct/23/no-headline---distortions/