Senate Bill 0307

ARCHIVE (2005)

Latest Information

 
DIGEST OF SB 307(Updated April 29, 2005 10:52 pm - DI 73)

Marion County local government. Provides that the general law concerning approval of budgets and tax levies of appointed boards does not apply to certain entities in Marion County that are covered by another statute. Requires the city-county council in Marion County to review the proposed operating and maintenance budgets and tax levies of the entities and to adopt final operating and maintenance budgets and tax levies for those entities. Requires the city-county council to review the proposed operating and maintenance budgets and tax levies of the health and hospital corporation only if the proposed property tax levies for the health and hospital corporation for the ensuing calendar year are more than 5% greater than the total of all property tax levies for the health and hospital corporation for the current calendar year. Authorizes the city-county council to reduce or modify but not increase an entity's proposed operating and maintenance budget or tax levy. Prohibits the city-county council from reducing or modifying an entity's budget or tax levy in a manner that would impair the rights of bondholders. Provides that a proposed operating and maintenance budget and tax levy of a taxing unit that is located entirely within an excluded city or town shall be submitted to the city or town fiscal body for approval. Provides that in Marion County the city controller has all the powers and duties assigned to county auditors related to the fixing and reviewing of budgets, tax rates, and tax levies. Provides that the county auditor is responsible for the issuance of warrants for payments from county and city funds. Specifies that the county auditor is responsible for: (1) accounting, payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable; (2) revenue and tax distributions; and (3) maintenance of property records; for all city and county departments, offices, and agencies. Provides that the county auditor retains all the powers and duties assigned to county auditors under the property tax laws, other than the powers and duties related to the fixing and reviewing of budgets, tax rates, and tax levies. Provides for the appointment of two deputy controllers by the mayor of Indianapolis. Creates the department of administration and equal opportunity in Marion County to replace the existing department of administration. Establishes the office of finance and management (the office). Specifies that the controller is the director of the office. Provides that the office is responsible for: (1) budgeting; (2) financial reporting and audits; (3) purchasing; and (4) fixed assets; for all city and county departments, offices, and agencies. Specifies that, except for the powers and duties reserved to the county auditor, the controller has the powers and duties otherwise assigned by law to county auditors. Provides that the fire department of a township in Marion County may be consolidated into the fire department of the consolidated city if the legislative body of the consolidated city adopts an ordinance and the legislative body of the township (with approval of the township trustee) adopts a resolution approving the consolidation of the fire department of the township into the fire department of the consolidated city. Provides that beginning on the effective date of the consolidation, the consolidated fire department shall provide fire protection services in a township that consolidates its fire department into the fire department of the consolidated city. Provides that the property, equipment, records, rights, and contracts of a fire department consolidated into the fire department of the consolidated city are transferred to or assumed by the consolidated city on the effective date of the consolidation. Provides, however, that real property other than fire stations is transferred only if the city-county council and the township legislative body mutually agree to the terms of the transfer. Specifies that indebtedness related to fire protection services that is incurred before the effective date of the consolidation by the consolidated city remains the debt of the consolidated city and property taxes to pay the debt may only be levied within the fire special service district. Provides that a firefighter who was a member of the 1977 fund before the effective date of a consolidation remains a member of the 1977 fund, and that a firefighter who was a member of the 1937 fund before the effective date of a consolidation remains a member of the 1937 fund. Provides that if a consolidated fire department is established, the consolidated city, through the consolidated fire department, shall establish, operate, and maintain emergency ambulance services in the fire special service district and the townships in the county that are consolidated. Provides for the adjustment of maximum property tax levies after consolidation of fire protection services. Allows the city-county council and the governing board of the airport authority to adopt ordinances providing that the fire department of the airport authority is consolidated into the fire department of the consolidated city. Requires the mayor of Indianapolis to provide for independent evaluations and performance audits to determine the amount of any cost savings, operational efficiencies, improved service levels, and tax shifts that result from the consolidations. Allows the Marion County city-county council to adopt an ordinance to consolidate the Indianapolis police department and the Marion County sheriff's department. Provides that the consolidation takes effect on the date specified in the ordinance. Requires the ordinance to specify which law enforcement officers of the police department and which law enforcement officers of the county sheriff's department shall be law enforcement officers of the consolidated law enforcement department. Provides that a person who was an employee beneficiary of the sheriff's pension trust before the consolidation of the law enforcement departments and becomes a law enforcement officer of the consolidated law enforcement department after the consolidation remains an employee beneficiary of the sheriff's pension trust. Provides that a person who was a member of the 1953 fund or the 1977 fund before the consolidation of the law enforcement departments and becomes a law enforcement officer of the consolidated law enforcement department after the consolidation remains a member of the 1953 fund or the 1977 fund. Specifies that the ordinance must provide that the county sheriff's department shall be responsible for: (1) county jail operations and facilities; (2) emergency communications; (3) security for buildings and property owned by the city or the county; (4) service of civil process and collection of taxes under tax warrants; and (5) sex offender registration. Establishes the Marion County consolidation study commission. Requires the commission to study the consolidation of local government in Marion County, including the consolidation proposed in the "Indianapolis Works" plan. Requires the commission to issue a final report to the legislative council before December 1, 2005. Appropriates $45,000 to the legislative council to hire consultants that are necessary to assist the commission in reviewing and verifying information and data concerning the consolidation of local government in Marion County.

    Current Status:
     Law Enacted
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