Consolidation efforts
Below Abdul notes that the Indiana GOP is calling for the elimination of township assessors, trustees and consolidating township departments. Within Marion this may serve as an interesting juxtaposition for the recent GOP opposition to Bart Peterson’s consolidation efforts. But in the context of the wider state this move makes sense. After all, it was Indiana Republicans that first championed consolidation and as advocates of more efficient government, elimination of township officials is a logical step.
Unfortunately though, in spite of all the talk, very little progress has been made toward this end. Even Bart Peterson’s plan won’t let City-County Council use township funds for UniGov purposes, nor will it eliminate all the township assessors and trustees. There remains a need for reform in both Indianapolis and the entire state. One of the state’s leading experts on the subject, Paul Musgrave, has covered it here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
Although excessive township bureaucracy remains the state’s most pressing concern for government reform, there are still other vital local consolidation efforts around the state that deserve attention. The consolidation movement in Evansville and Vanderburgh County now has two somewhat conflicting bills that allow for a referendum.
Rep. Dennis Avery, D-Evansville, filed House Bill 1394, which would hold a referendum in 2006 asking voters if they want a commission to “continue to study whether local government in Vanderburgh County should be consolidated.” Meanwhile Rep. Phil Hinkle, R-Indianapolis, filed House Bill 1344, which words the referendum question differently, asking voters if a commission should “continue to study whether the governments of Vanderburgh County and the city of Evansville should be consolidated so that the county is governed by a mayor and a single legislative body.”
