Indianapolis, In. — House Bill 1650 that would have eliminated township government in Indiana failed in the house yesterday by a vote of 72-18. The bill was intended to cut spending and streamline government in all Indiana counties.
The bill was introduced by Batesville Republican Cindy Ziemke, “Every time I look we’re trying to be on the cutting edge of all the states and that’s what this does. This is one major area that we just can’t seem to get past,” Ziemke said. “We have more elected officials per capita than any state in the United States.”
The next proposal regarding townships is House Bill 1177, also authored by Ziemke, which requires townships to prepare a capital improvement plan if the balance in certain funds exceeds 150 percent of the township’s annual budget estimate. Townships would be required to develop the plan in order to collect property taxes. The measure is supported by the Indiana Township Association.
