HB 1362 - Unigov

Here is the detail of the bill that would make consolidating city and county government. Sorry its so wordy. Elected politicians do that in hopes that you'll get bored and not read it all.

DIGEST OF HB 1362 (Updated February 22, 2006 6:33 pm - DI 87)

Establishes a uniform procedure for the reorganization of political subdivisions in a county. Provides that the reorganization process may be initiated by the legislative bodies of the reorganizing political subdivisions or by a petition signed by 5% of the voters in the reorganizing political subdivisions. Requires the reorganizing political subdivisions to appoint individuals to a reorganization committee to develop a plan for reorganization. Provides that political subdivisions and reorganization committees acting under the reorganization statute are subject to the open door law and the public records law. Specifies the elements that must be included in the plan. Provides that the plan of reorganization must be adopted by all reorganizing political subdivisions before the proposed reorganization may be submitted to the voters for approval. Provides that a reorganization may occur only if the voters of the reorganizing political subdivisions approve the reorganization in the public question. Provides that in the case of a proposed reorganization that involves a county having a population of more than 170,000 (other than Marion County) and one or more municipalities: (1) the vote on the public question shall be tabulated on a county-wide basis; (2) the reorganization is approved if a majority of the voters of the county voting on the public question approve the reorganization; and (3) it is not required for approval of the reorganization that a majority of the voters of each of the reorganizing political subdivisions approve the reorganization. Requires the department of local government finance to adjust the maximum property tax levies, maximum property tax rates, and budgets of political subdivisions that reorganize. Provides that: (1) indebtedness that was incurred by a political subdivision before the reorganization may not be imposed on taxpayers that were not responsible for payment of the indebtedness before the reorganization and must be paid by the taxpayers that were responsible for payment of the indebtedness before the reorganization; and (2) pension obligations existing as of the effective date of the reorganization may not be imposed on taxpayers that were not responsible for payment of the pension obligations before the reorganization and must be paid by the taxpayers that were responsible for payment of the pension obligations before the reorganization. Provides that when the reorganization is effective, all the participating political subdivisions except the remaining reorganized political subdivision cease to exist. Makes related changes. Establishes a procedure for political subdivisions to enter into cooperative agreements and provide for the transfer of functions of an employee or department of the political subdivision (including an elected office) to another employee or department of any political subdivision that has entered into the cooperative agreement. Provides that the cooperative agreements must be initiated and approved in the same manner that is set forth in the bill for the reorganization of political subdivisions.

I think that our local officials are rushing this. They claim that it would save taxpayers money but haven't been able to prove it. They also say that it would make things more efficient.

What they're not saying is that this is an attempt at a power grab. Like all the other annexations this is a numbers game. It is an attempt at being the state's other class A city. Indianapolis has changed the rules every time FW had come close to challenging their supremecy.

My concerns about this are:

1. Crime. Indy is experienced a crime wave after it merged its sheriff's departments.
2. Quality of Services. The city hasn't proved that they can handle the existing annexations let alone the rest of the county.
3. Small Towns. If small towns can't grow they will die.
4. Farmers. They already live on the edge. Increase their property taxes through this measure and you'll see many go out of business.
5. Community Atmosphere. Regional communitys could be destroyed by such a measure.

Elected officials be warned. When something goes to referendum people rarely make an effort to vote for it. They come out in hordes to vote against it. The county has a turnout that is 5-10% better than voter turnout in Fort Wayne. Put this to referendum and it may go as high as 20-30%.

Officials need to remember David Long's surprise in Grabill. Thats nothing. The rural community has a history of getting organized when they feel threatened. When they're organized they can be dangerous.