House Bill 1568

ARCHIVE (2007)

Latest Information

 
DIGEST OF HB1568 (Updated April 11, 2007 3:37 pm - DI 84)

Marion County government. Requires the legislative body and trustee of a township in a county having a consolidated city to act on the adoption of a resolution to consolidate the fire department of the township into the fire department of the consolidated city not later than December 31, 2007. Provides that if at least four members of the township legislative body vote to adopt the resolution, the township trustee may approve or reject the adoption of the resolution. Allows the township legislative body to override the trustee's rejection by an affirmative vote of at least four members of the township legislative body. Provides that if a township adopts a resolution to consolidate the township fire department into the fire department of the consolidated city, the legislative body of the consolidated city may adopt an ordinance, approved by the executive of the consolidated city, to consolidate the fire department into the fire department of a consolidated city. Requires a consolidation of a township fire department into the fire department of a consolidated city to take effect not later than January 1, 2009. Provides that the following occurs in Center Township and any other township in Marion County that, before or after July 1, 2007, approves a consolidation of the township fire department into the fire department of the consolidated city: (1) The office of township trustee for the township is abolished effective January 1, 2011. (2) The township legislative body of the township is abolished effective January 1, 2011. (3) Effective January 1, 2011, the functions, duties, and responsibilities of the township, township trustee, and township board with regard to the provision of township assistance, weed control, and maintenance of cemeteries is transferred to the health and hospital corporation. (4) Effective January 1, 2011, all remaining functions, duties, and responsibilities of the township (except for the office of township assessor), township trustee, and township board are transferred to the consolidated city. Provides upon consolidation for: (1) adjustment of maximum property tax levies of the consolidating township and the governmental units that assume former township duties; (2) transfer of certain funds from the township to those units; (3) retention by the township of responsibility for outstanding indebtedness; and (4) retention by the township of money in its cumulative building and equipment fund for fire protection and related services to be used to retire township indebtedness or reduce property taxes. Establishes that an incumbent township trustee whose office is abolished on January 1, 2011, serves through December 31, 2010. Establishes a two year term of office through December 31, 2010, for a member elected in 2008 to a township legislative body that is abolished on January 1, 2011. Provides that the office of township assessor continues to provide assessing functions in each township that consolidates and is elected by the voters of the township. Specifies that the fire department of the consolidated city may provide fire protection services within an excluded city if the consolidated city and excluded city enter into an interlocal agreement, or follow the procedures under current law for entering into a cooperative agreement. Provides for reimbursement of excluded cities of facility and communication costs from money received by a public communications systems and computer facilities district created in Marion County. Provides that an excluded city or town that withdraws from a stormwater district is liable for the net present value of indebtedness issued by the consolidated city for stormwater projects benefitting the city or town in the same ratio as the assessed valuation of the property in the city or town bears to the assessed valuation of all property included in the district. Effective January 1, 2011, replaces the Marion County small claims courts with corresponding township divisions of a small claims division of the Marion superior court. Repeals current provisions concerning the Marion County small claims courts. Makes legislative findings concerning the need for government consolidation in Marion County.
Current Status:
 In Conference Committee
>Latest Printing > (PDF)