Bill Text: IN SB0405 | 2011 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Township government.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 2)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-02-22 - Third reading: defeated; Roll Call 237: yeas 21 and nays 28 [SB0405 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2011-SB0405-Amended.html
Citations Affected: IC 3-5; IC 3-10; IC 3-11; IC 5-11; IC 6-1.1;
IC 12-20; IC 13-11; IC 36-1; IC 36-1.5; IC 36-6.
Effective: July 1, 2011.
January 11, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Local Government.
February 14, 2011, amended, reported favorably _ Do Pass.
February 21, 2011, read second time, amended, ordered engrossed.
Digest Continued
Digest Continued
considered denied, and the denial may be appealed to the board of
county commissioners. Provides that the department of local
government finance may not approve the budget or any additional
appropriations of a township that fails to file: (1) an annual fiscal
report; or (2) a personnel report; for the preceding year.
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local
government.
(1) county council, for a county not having a consolidated city;
(2) city-county council, for a consolidated city or county having a consolidated city;
(3) common council, for a second or third class city;
(4) town council, for a town;
(5)
(A) the township board, before January 1, 2012; and
(B) the county fiscal body after December 31, 2011;
(6) for a township in a county not having a consolidated city:
(A) the township board, before January 1, 2013; and
(B) the county fiscal body after December 31, 2012; or
political subdivision.
For paper ballots, print: To vote for a person, make a voting mark (X or .) on or in the box before the person's name in the proper column. For optical scan ballots, print: To vote for a person, darken or shade in the circle, oval, or square (or draw a line to connect the arrow) that precedes the person's name in the proper column. For optical scan ballots that do not contain a candidate's name, print: To vote for a person, darken or shade in the oval that precedes the number assigned to the person's name in the proper column. For electronic voting systems, print: To vote for a person, touch the screen (or press the button) in the location indicated.
Vote for one (1) only
Representative in Congress
[] (1) AB __________
[] (2) CD __________
[] (3) EF __________
[] (4) GH __________
(b) The offices with candidates for nomination shall be placed on the primary election ballot in the following order:
(1) Federal and state offices:
(A) President of the United States.
(B) United States Senator.
(C) Governor.
(D) United States Representative.
(2) Legislative offices:
(A) State senator.
(B) State representative.
(3) Circuit offices and county judicial offices:
(A) Judge of the circuit court, and unless otherwise specified under IC 33, with each division separate if there is more than one (1) judge of the circuit court.
(B) Judge of the superior court, and unless otherwise specified under IC 33, with each division separate if there is more than one (1) judge of the superior court.
(C) Judge of the probate court.
(D) Judge of the county court, with each division separate, as required by IC 33-30-3-3.
(E) Prosecuting attorney.
(F) Circuit court clerk.
(4) County offices:
(A) County auditor.
(B) County recorder.
(C) County treasurer.
(D) County sheriff.
(E) County coroner.
(F) County surveyor.
(G) County assessor.
(H) County commissioner.
(I) County council member.
(5) Township offices:
(A) Township assessor (only in a township referred to in IC 36-6-5-1(d)).
(B) Township trustee.
(C) Township board member. This clause does not apply to elections in 2012 and thereafter.
(D) Judge of the small claims court.
(E) Constable of the small claims court.
(6) City offices:
(A) Mayor.
(B) Clerk or clerk-treasurer.
(C) Judge of the city court.
(D) City-county council member or common council member.
(7) Town offices:
(A) Clerk-treasurer.
(B) Judge of the town court.
(C) Town council member.
(c) The political party offices with candidates for election shall be placed on the primary election ballot in the following order after the offices described in subsection (b):
(1) Precinct committeeman.
(2) State convention delegate.
(d) The following offices and public questions shall be placed on the primary election ballot in the following order after the offices described in subsection (c):
(1) School board offices to be elected at the primary election.
(2) Other local offices to be elected at the primary election.
(3) Local public questions.
(e) The offices and public questions described in subsection (d) shall be placed:
(1) in a separate column on the ballot if voting is by paper ballot;
(2) after the offices described in subsection (c) in the form specified in IC 3-11-13-11 if voting is by ballot card; or
(3) either:
(A) on a separate screen for each office or public question; or
(B) after the offices described in subsection (c) in the form specified in IC 3-11-14-3.5;
if voting is by an electronic voting system.
(f) A public question shall be placed on the primary election ballot in the following form:
[] YES
[] NO
(1) Clerk of the circuit court.
(2) County auditor.
(3) County recorder.
(4) County treasurer.
(5) County sheriff.
(6) County coroner.
(7) County surveyor.
(8) County assessor.
(9) County commissioner.
(10) County council member.
(11) Township trustee.
(12) Township board member. This subdivision does not apply to elections in 2012 and thereafter.
(13) Township assessor (only in a township referred to in IC 36-6-5-1(d)).
(14) Judge of a small claims court.
(15) Constable of a small claims court.
general election ballot in the following order:
(1) Federal and state offices:
(A) President and Vice President of the United States.
(B) United States Senator.
(C) Governor and lieutenant governor.
(D) Secretary of state.
(E) Auditor of state.
(F) Treasurer of state.
(G) Attorney general.
(H) Superintendent of public instruction.
(I) United States Representative.
(2) Legislative offices:
(A) State senator.
(B) State representative.
(3) Circuit offices and county judicial offices:
(A) Judge of the circuit court, and unless otherwise specified
under IC 33, with each division separate if there is more than
one (1) judge of the circuit court.
(B) Judge of the superior court, and unless otherwise specified
under IC 33, with each division separate if there is more than
one (1) judge of the superior court.
(C) Judge of the probate court.
(D) Judge of the county court, with each division separate, as
required by IC 33-30-3-3.
(E) Prosecuting attorney.
(F) Clerk of the circuit court.
(4) County offices:
(A) County auditor.
(B) County recorder.
(C) County treasurer.
(D) County sheriff.
(E) County coroner.
(F) County surveyor.
(G) County assessor.
(H) County commissioner.
(I) County council member.
(5) Township offices:
(A) Township assessor (only in a township referred to in
IC 36-6-5-1(d)).
(B) Township trustee.
(C) Township board member. This clause does not apply to
elections in 2012 and thereafter.
(D) Judge of the small claims court.
(E) Constable of the small claims court.
(6) City offices:
(A) Mayor.
(B) Clerk or clerk-treasurer.
(C) Judge of the city court.
(D) City-county council member or common council member.
(7) Town offices:
(A) Clerk-treasurer.
(B) Judge of the town court.
(C) Town council member.
(1) The population of the township.
(2) The budget, property tax levies, and property tax rates adopted by the township and approved by the department of local government finance.
(3) The assessed valuation in the township used to determine property taxes first due and payable in the preceding calendar year.
(4) The balance in each township fund as of the end of the preceding calendar year.
(5) A summary of the township assistance information submitted by the township trustee under IC 12-20-28-3.
(6) A summary of any statutory compliance issues or exceptions noted by the state board of accounts in its examination report for the township for the preceding calendar year.
(7) A description of any interlocal agreements in effect concerning the township's functions and duties.
(8) A description of any resolutions or petitions concerning the township that were adopted or submitted under IC 36-1.5 (government modernization) during the preceding calendar year.
(9) A description of the property owned or leased by the township.
(b) To the extent that the information required by subsection (a) has not been previously submitted to or certified by the office of management and budget or the department of local government finance, a township shall submit the information to the office of management and budget in an electronic format on a schedule established by the office of management and budget.
(c) The office of management and budget shall do the following before July 1 of each year:
(1) Submit a copy of the report prepared under subsection (a) to the executive director of the legislative services agency in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
(2) Submit to the county council of each county a copy of the information compiled in the report for each township within the county.
shall forthwith file said report in the office of the state examiner of the
state board of accounts. However, no more than one (1) report covering
the same officers, employees, and agents need be made from the state
or any county, city, town, township, or school unit in any one year. The
filing date of a report is the date the report is received by the state
examiner and not the date that the report is processed by the state
examiner.
(b) If a township fails to file a report under this section for the
preceding year, the department of local government finance may
not approve the budget or any additional appropriations of the
township.
(1) township assistance;
(2) unemployment relief;
(3) old age pensions; or
(4) other funds which may at any time be made available under "The Economic Security Act" or under any other federal act which provides for civil and public works projects.
(b) When formulating an annual budget estimate, the proper officers of a political subdivision shall prepare an estimate of the amount of revenue that the political subdivision will receive under a development agreement (as defined in IC 36-1-8-9.5) for and during the budget year for which the budget is being formulated. Revenue received under a development agreement may not be used to reduce the political subdivision's maximum levy under IC 6-1.1-18.5 but may be used at the discretion of the political subdivision to reduce the property tax levy of the political subdivision for a particular year.
(c) This subsection applies only to a county not having a consolidated city. When formulating a proposed annual budget estimate, the township trustee, the township board (before January 1, 2013), and (after December 31, 2012) the county fiscal body shall consider the following:
(1) The ending balance that will remain in each township fund relative to:
(A) the budgeted expenditures from the fund;
(B) the fund balance that must be maintained by the township on account of actual or anticipated delayed property tax billing, collection, or distribution; and
(C) the amount of tax anticipation notes or warrants or other obligations incurred by the township on account of delayed property tax billing, collection, or distribution.
(2) Whether the ending balance remaining in each township fund is excessive and should be used to reduce property tax levies. The factors described in subdivision (1) shall be considered in determining whether an ending balance in a township fund is excessive. If the township board (before January 1, 2013) or the county fiscal body (after December 31, 2012) determines under this subdivision that the ending balance in a township fund is excessive, the township board or the county fiscal body shall transfer the excessive amount to the township's levy excess fund.
(3) After December 31, 2012, with regard to a township capital improvement fund or cumulative building fund, the township capital improvement plan prepared under IC 36-6-10.
(d) This subsection applies only to a county having a consolidated city. When formulating a proposed annual budget estimate, the township trustee, the township board (before January 1, 2012), and (after December 31, 2011) the county fiscal body shall consider the following:
(1) The ending balance that will remain in each township fund relative to:
(A) the budgeted expenditures from the fund;
(B) the fund balance that must be maintained by the township on account of actual or anticipated delayed property tax billing, collection, or distribution; and
(C) the amount of tax anticipation notes or warrants or other obligations incurred by the township on account of delayed property tax billing, collection, or distribution.
(2) Whether the ending balance remaining in each township fund is excessive and should be used to reduce property tax levies. The factors described in subdivision (1) shall be considered in determining whether an ending balance in a township fund is excessive. If the township board (before
January 1, 2012) or the county fiscal body (after December
31, 2011) determines under this subdivision that the ending
balance in a township fund is excessive, the township board or
the county fiscal body shall transfer the excessive amount to
the township's levy excess fund.
(3) After December 31, 2011, with regard to a township
capital improvement fund or cumulative building fund, the
township capital improvement plan prepared under
IC 36-6-10.
(1) the estimated budget;
(2) the estimated maximum permissible levy;
(3) the current and proposed tax levies of each fund; and
(4) the amounts of excessive levy appeals to be requested.
In the notice, the political subdivision shall also state the time and place at which a public hearing will be held on these items. The notice shall be published twice in accordance with IC 5-3-1 with the first publication at least ten (10) days before the date fixed for the public hearing. Beginning in 2009, the duties required by this subsection must be completed before September 10 of the calendar year.
(b) Beginning with budgets adopted for 2012, the county shall give notice by publication to taxpayers of the budgets and tax levies of each township as part of the notice by publication of the budget and tax levies of the county. The department of local government finance shall for property taxes first due and payable after December 31, 2011, adjust the maximum permissible ad valorem property tax levies of each township and each county as necessary to account for the transfer of publication responsibilities to counties under this subsection.
(c) Beginning with budgets adopted for 2012, the county shall hold the public hearing on the budgets and tax levies of each township as part of the public hearing on the budget and tax levies of the county. The department of local government finance shall for property taxes first due and payable after December 31, 2011, adjust the maximum permissible ad valorem property tax levies of
each township and each county as necessary to account for the
transfer of public hearing responsibilities to counties under this
subsection.
(b) (d) The board of directors of a solid waste management district
established under IC 13-21 or IC 13-9.5-2 (before its repeal) may
conduct the public hearing required under subsection (a):
(1) in any county of the solid waste management district; and
(2) in accordance with the annual notice of meetings published
under IC 13-21-5-2.
(c) (e) The trustee of each township in the county shall estimate the
amount necessary to meet the cost of township assistance in the
township for the ensuing calendar year. The township board or (after
December 31, 2012) in the case of a county not having a
consolidated city, or (after December 31, 2011) in the case of a
county having a consolidated city, the county fiscal body shall adopt
with the township budget a tax rate sufficient to meet the estimated cost
of township assistance. The taxes collected as a result of the tax rate
adopted under this subsection are credited to the township assistance
fund.
(d) (f) This subsection expires January 1, 2009. A county shall adopt
with the county budget and the department of local government finance
shall certify under section 16 of this chapter a tax rate sufficient to raise
the levy necessary to pay the following:
(1) The cost of child services (as defined in IC 12-19-7-1, before
its repeal) of the county payable from the family and children's
fund.
(2) The cost of children's psychiatric residential treatment
services (as defined in IC 12-19-7.5-1, before its repeal) of the
county payable from the children's psychiatric residential
treatment services fund.
A budget, tax rate, or tax levy adopted by a county fiscal body or
approved or modified by a county board of tax adjustment that is less
than the levy necessary to pay the costs described in subdivision (1) or
(2) shall not be treated as a final budget, tax rate, or tax levy under
section 11 of this chapter.
(g) This subsection applies to township budgets adopted for:
(1) 2012 and 2013, in the case of a county not having a
consolidated city; or
(2) 2012 in the case of a county having a consolidated city.
The township board may file a statement of the township's
proposed budget, tax rate, and tax levy with the county fiscal body.
The county fiscal body shall consider the matters in section 2(c) of
this chapter in reviewing the statement. The county fiscal body
shall formulate the final proposed budget, tax rate, and tax levy for
the township on the form prescribed by the department of local
government finance and approved by the state board of accounts.
The county fiscal body may revise, reduce, or modify, but may not
increase, the township's proposed budget, tax rate, or levy
submitted to the county fiscal body under this section. The county
fiscal body shall adopt the final proposed budget, tax rate, and tax
levy as part of the county budget. The budget, tax rate, and tax levy
for each township shall be treated as funds under the budget, tax
rate, and tax levy of the county. The county shall submit the
budget, tax rate, and tax levy in the manner prescribed by the
department of local government finance. This subsection expires
January 1, 2015.
(h) This subsection applies only to a county not having a
consolidated city. The following apply to township budgets adopted
for 2012 and 2013:
(1) Except as provided in subdivision (2), the total amount
appropriated by the township board for a particular year
(including any additional appropriations made for that year)
may not exceed the result of:
(A) the total amount appropriated for the previous year
(including any additional appropriations made for that
year); multiplied by
(B) the assessed value growth quotient determined under
IC 6-1.1-18.5-2 and applicable to the township for the
particular year.
(2) If the township board or (after December 31, 2012) the
county fiscal body determines after a public hearing that the
township cannot carry out its governmental functions for a
year under the appropriation limitations imposed by
subdivision (1), the township board or (after December 31,
2012) the county fiscal body may appeal before October 20 of
the current year to the department of local government
finance for relief from the appropriation limitations for the
ensuing year. In the appeal, the township board or (after
December 31, 2012) the county fiscal body must state that the
township will be unable to carry out the governmental
functions committed to it by law unless the township is given
relief from the appropriation limits. The township board or
(after December 31, 2012) the county fiscal body must support
the appeal by reasonably detailed statements of fact. The
department of local government finance shall review the
merits of the appeal. If the department of local government
finance determines after reviewing the appeal that the
township cannot carry out its governmental functions for a
year under the appropriation limitations imposed by
subdivision (1), the department of local government finance
may grant relief from those appropriation limitations in the
manner determined to be appropriate by the department of
local government finance.
This subsection expires January 1, 2015.
(i) This subsection applies only to a county having a
consolidated city. The following apply to township budgets adopted
for 2012:
(1) Except as provided in subdivision (2), the total amount
appropriated by the township board for a particular year
(including any additional appropriations made for that year)
may not exceed the result of:
(A) the total amount appropriated for the previous year
(including any additional appropriations made for that
year); multiplied by
(B) the assessed value growth quotient determined under
IC 6-1.1-18.5-2 and applicable to the township for the
particular year.
(2) If the township board or (after December 31, 2011) the
county fiscal body determines after a public hearing that the
township cannot carry out its governmental functions for a
year under the appropriation limitations imposed by
subdivision (1), the township board or (after December 31,
2011) the county fiscal body may appeal before October 20 of
the current year to the department of local government
finance for relief from the appropriation limitations for the
ensuing year. In the appeal, the township board or (after
December 31, 2011) the county fiscal body must state that the
township will be unable to carry out the governmental
functions committed to it by law unless the township is given
relief from the appropriation limits. The township board or
(after December 31, 2011) the county fiscal body must support
the appeal by reasonably detailed statements of fact. The
department of local government finance shall review the
merits of the appeal. If the department of local government
finance determines after reviewing the appeal that the
township cannot carry out its governmental functions for the
year under the appropriation limitations imposed by
subdivision (1), the department of local government finance
may grant relief from those appropriation limitations in the
manner determined to be appropriate by the department of
local government finance.
This subsection expires January 1, 2014.
(b) This section applies to a civil taxing unit other than a county. If a civil taxing unit will impose property taxes due and payable in the ensuing calendar year, the civil taxing unit shall file with the fiscal body of the county in which the civil taxing unit is located:
(1) a statement of the proposed or estimated tax rate and tax levy for the civil taxing unit for the ensuing budget year; and
(2) a copy of the civil taxing unit's proposed budget for the ensuing budget year.
(c) In the case of a civil taxing unit located in more than one (1) county, the civil taxing unit shall file the information under subsection (b) with the fiscal body of the county in which the greatest part of the civil taxing unit's net assessed valuation is located.
(d) A civil taxing unit must file the information under subsection (b) at least forty-five (45) days before the civil taxing unit fixes its tax rate and tax levy and adopts its budget under this chapter.
(e) A county fiscal body shall complete the following at least fifteen (15) days before the civil taxing unit fixes its tax rate and tax levy and adopts its budget under this chapter:
(1) Review any proposed or estimated tax rate or tax levy or proposed budget filed by a civil taxing unit with the county fiscal body under this section.
(2) Issue a nonbinding recommendation to a civil taxing unit regarding the civil taxing unit's proposed or estimated tax rate or tax levy or proposed budget.
(f) The recommendation under subsection (e) must include a comparison of any increase in the civil taxing unit's budget or tax levy to:
(1) the average increase in Indiana nonfarm personal income for the preceding six (6) calendar years and the average increase in nonfarm personal income for the county for the preceding six (6) calendar years; and
(2) increases in the budgets and tax levies of other civil taxing units in the county.
(g) The department of local government finance must provide each county fiscal body with the most recent available information concerning increases in Indiana nonfarm personal income and increases in county nonfarm personal income.
(h) If a civil taxing unit fails to file the information required by subsection (b) with the fiscal body of the county in which the civil taxing unit is located by the time prescribed in subsection (d), the most recent annual appropriations and annual tax levy of that civil taxing unit are continued for the ensuing budget year.
(i) If a county fiscal body fails to complete the requirements of subsection (e) before the deadline in subsection (e) for any civil taxing unit subject to this section, the most recent annual appropriations and annual tax levy of the county are continued for the ensuing budget year.
(1) The board of school trustees of a school corporation that is located in a city having a population of more than one hundred five thousand (105,000) but less than one hundred twenty thousand (120,000), not later than:
(A) the time required in section 5.6(b) of this chapter; or
(B) November 1 if a resolution adopted under section 5.6(d) of this chapter is in effect.
(2) The proper officers of all other political subdivisions that are not school corporations, not later than November 1.
(3) The governing body of a school corporation (other than a school corporation described in subdivision (1)) that elects to adopt a budget under section 5.6 of this chapter for budget years beginning after June 30, 2011, not later than the time required under section 5.6(b) of this chapter for budget years beginning after June 30, 2011.
(4) The governing body of a school corporation that is not described in subdivision (1) or (3), not later than November 1.
Except in a consolidated city and county and in a second class city, the
public hearing required by section 3 of this chapter must be completed
at least ten (10) days before the proper officers of the political
subdivision meet to fix the budget, tax rate, and tax levy. In a
consolidated city and county and in a second class city, that public
hearing, by any committee or by the entire fiscal body, may be held at
any time after introduction of the budget. Beginning with budgets
adopted for 2012, the county fiscal body shall adopt the budget, tax
rate, and tax levy for each township in the county as part of the
county budget. The budget, tax rate, and tax levy for each township
shall be treated as funds under the budget, tax rate, and tax levy of
the county. The county shall submit the budget, tax rate, and tax
levy in the manner prescribed by the department of local
government finance.
(b) Ten (10) or more taxpayers may object to a budget, tax rate, or
tax levy of a political subdivision fixed under subsection (a) by filing
an objection petition with the proper officers of the political
subdivision not more than seven (7) days after the hearing. The
objection petition must specifically identify the provisions of the
budget, tax rate, and tax levy to which the taxpayers object.
(c) If a petition is filed under subsection (b), the fiscal body of the
political subdivision shall adopt with its budget a finding concerning
the objections in the petition and any testimony presented at the
adoption hearing.
(d) This subsection does not apply to a school corporation. Each
year at least two (2) days before the first meeting of the county board
of tax adjustment held under IC 6-1.1-29-4, a political subdivision shall
file with the county auditor:
(1) a statement of the tax rate and levy fixed by the political
subdivision for the ensuing budget year;
(2) two (2) copies of the budget adopted by the political
subdivision for the ensuing budget year; and
(3) two (2) copies of any findings adopted under subsection (c).
Each year the county auditor shall present these items to the county
board of tax adjustment at the board's first meeting under
IC 6-1.1-29-4.
(e) In a consolidated city and county and in a second class city, the
clerk of the fiscal body shall, notwithstanding subsection (d), file the
adopted budget and tax ordinances with the county board of tax
adjustment within two (2) days after the ordinances are signed by the
executive, or within two (2) days after action is taken by the fiscal body
to override a veto of the ordinances, whichever is later.
(f) If a fiscal body does not fix the budget, tax rate, and tax levy of
the political subdivisions for the ensuing budget year as required under
this section, the most recent annual appropriations and annual tax levy
are continued for the ensuing budget year.
(b) Subject to the limitations and requirements prescribed in this section, the department of local government finance may review, revise, reduce, or increase the budget by fund, tax rate, or tax levy of any of the political subdivisions whose tax rates compose the aggregate tax rate within a political subdivision whose budget, tax rate, or tax levy is the subject of an appeal initiated under this chapter.
(c) Except as provided in subsections (j) and (k), before the department of local government finance reviews, revises, reduces, or increases a political subdivision's budget by fund, tax rate, or tax levy under this section, the department must hold a public hearing on the budget, tax rate, and tax levy. The department of local government finance shall hold the hearing in the county in which the political subdivision is located. The department of local government finance may consider the budgets by fund, tax rates, and tax levies of several political subdivisions at the same public hearing. At least five (5) days before the date fixed for a public hearing, the department of local government finance shall give notice of the time and place of the hearing and of the budgets by fund, levies, and tax rates to be considered at the hearing. The department of local government finance shall publish the notice in two (2) newspapers of general circulation published in the county. However, if only one (1) newspaper of general circulation is published in the county, the department of local government finance shall publish the notice in that newspaper.
(d) Except as provided in subsection (i), IC 20-46, or IC 6-1.1-18.5, the department of local government finance may not increase a political subdivision's budget by fund, tax rate, or tax levy to an amount which exceeds the amount originally fixed by the political subdivision. However, if the department of local government finance determines that IC 5-3-1-2.3(b) applies to the tax rate, tax levy, or budget of the
political subdivision, the maximum amount by which the department
may increase the tax rate, tax levy, or budget is the amount originally
fixed by the political subdivision, and not the amount that was
incorrectly published or omitted in the notice described in
IC 5-3-1-2.3(b). The department of local government finance shall give
the political subdivision written notification specifying any revision,
reduction, or increase the department proposes in a political
subdivision's tax levy or tax rate. The political subdivision has ten (10)
calendar days from the date the political subdivision receives the notice
to provide a written response to the department of local government
finance's Indianapolis office. The response may include budget
reductions, reallocation of levies, a revision in the amount of
miscellaneous revenues, and further review of any other item about
which, in the view of the political subdivision, the department is in
error. The department of local government finance shall consider the
adjustments as specified in the political subdivision's response if the
response is provided as required by this subsection and shall deliver a
final decision to the political subdivision.
(e) The department of local government finance may not approve a
levy for lease payments by a city, town, county, library, or school
corporation if the lease payments are payable to a building corporation
for use by the building corporation for debt service on bonds and if:
(1) no bonds of the building corporation are outstanding; or
(2) the building corporation has enough legally available funds on
hand to redeem all outstanding bonds payable from the particular
lease rental levy requested.
(f) The department of local government finance shall certify its
action to:
(1) the county auditor;
(2) the political subdivision if the department acts pursuant to an
appeal initiated by the political subdivision;
(3) the taxpayer that initiated an appeal under section 13 of this
chapter, or, if the appeal was initiated by multiple taxpayers, the
first ten (10) taxpayers whose names appear on the statement filed
to initiate the appeal; and
(4) a taxpayer that owns property that represents at least ten
percent (10%) of the taxable assessed valuation in the political
subdivision.
(g) The following may petition for judicial review of the final
determination of the department of local government finance under
subsection (f):
(1) If the department acts under an appeal initiated by a political
subdivision, the political subdivision.
(2) If the department:
(A) acts under an appeal initiated by one (1) or more taxpayers
under section 13 of this chapter; or
(B) fails to act on the appeal before the department certifies its
action under subsection (f);
a taxpayer who signed the statement filed to initiate the appeal.
(3) If the department acts under an appeal initiated by the county
auditor under section 14 of this chapter, the county auditor.
(4) A taxpayer that owns property that represents at least ten
percent (10%) of the taxable assessed valuation in the political
subdivision.
The petition must be filed in the tax court not more than forty-five (45)
days after the department certifies its action under subsection (f).
(h) The department of local government finance is expressly
directed to complete the duties assigned to it under this section not later
than February 15th of each year for taxes to be collected during that
year.
(i) Subject to the provisions of all applicable statutes, the
department of local government finance may increase a political
subdivision's tax levy to an amount that exceeds the amount originally
fixed by the political subdivision if the increase is:
(1) requested in writing by the officers of the political
subdivision;
(2) either:
(A) based on information first obtained by the political
subdivision after the public hearing under section 3 of this
chapter; or
(B) results from an inadvertent mathematical error made in
determining the levy; and
(3) published by the political subdivision according to a notice
provided by the department.
(j) The department of local government finance shall annually
review the budget by fund of each school corporation not later than
April 1. The department of local government finance shall give the
school corporation written notification specifying any revision,
reduction, or increase the department proposes in the school
corporation's budget by fund. A public hearing is not required in
connection with this review of the budget.
(k) The department of local government finance may hold a hearing
under subsection (c) only if the notice required in section 12 of this
chapter is published at least ten (10) days before the date of the
hearing.
Chapter 1.5. Township Assistance Planning Board
Sec. 1. This chapter applies to all counties.
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "board" refers to the township assistance planning board established for a county under section 3 of this chapter.
Sec. 3. (a) Each county shall establish a township assistance planning board. The members of the board shall be appointed not later than January 1, 2012, as follows:
(1) One (1) township trustee from an unincorporated area of the county, appointed by the county executive.
(2) One (1) township trustee from an incorporated area of the county, appointed by the county executive.
(3) One (1) township trustee appointed jointly by all township trustees in the county.
(4) One (1) person employed by a faith based human service provider agency, appointed by the county executive.
(5) One (1) person employed by a government funded human service provider agency, appointed by the county executive.
(6) One (1) person employed by a nonprofit human service provider agency, appointed by the county executive.
(7) Two (2) citizen members who:
(A) are not employed by; and
(B) are not a party to a contract with;
a township or a human service provider agency, appointed by the county executive.
(8) One (1) member of the county fiscal body, appointed by
the county executive.
(9) One (1) member of the fiscal body of the municipality in
the county with the largest population, appointed by the
county executive.
The township trustees of the county not appointed under
subdivisions (1) through (3) shall serve as nonvoting advisory
members of the board.
(b) This subsection applies only to a county not having a
consolidated city. The board consists of the following members:
(c) This subsection applies only to a county having a
consolidated city. The board consists of the following members:
(1) Two (2) trustees of townships in the county.
(2) One (1) person employed by a faith based human service
provider agency.
(3) One (1) person employed by a government funded human
service provider agency.
(4) One (1) person employed by a nonprofit human service
provider agency.
(5) Two (2) citizen members who:
(A) are not employed by; and
(B) are not a party to a contract with;
a township or a human service provider agency.
(6) One (1) member of the county fiscal body.
(7) One (1) member of the fiscal body of the municipality in
the county with the largest population.
(d) A majority of the members of the board constitutes a
quorum. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the
board is required for the board to take action.
Sec. 4. (a) The first meeting of the board shall be convened not
later than January 1, 2012, by the member of the county fiscal
body appointed to the board.
(b) The board shall select a chairperson from among its
members at the board's first meeting.
(c) The members of the board serve at the pleasure of the
appointing authority.
(d) Each county fiscal body shall determine, in the manner
provided by law, the compensation of the members of the board.
(e) The board is a public agency for purposes of IC 5-14-1.5 and
IC 5-14-3.
Sec. 5. The board has the duty and responsibility to propose and
annually review the county's township assistance standards. The
standards apply to all townships in the county.
Sec. 6. Before July 1, 2012, the board shall adopt a resolution
approving standards that meet or exceed the requirements of this
article and forward the resolution to the county legislative body for
adoption. The standards take effect January 1, 2013.
(b) The township's standards for the issuance of township assistance and the processing of applications must be:
(1) governed by the requirements of this article;
(2) for standards applicable before January 1, 2013, proposed by the township trustee, adopted by the township board, and filed with the board of county commissioners;
(3) for standards applicable after December 31, 2012, proposed by the township assistance planning board and adopted by ordinance of the county legislative body;
(7) posted on the county's web site, if the county maintains a web site.
(1) Criteria for determining township assistance eligibility.
(2) Minimum requirements of township trustee accessibility.
(3) Other information as needed, including the following:
(A) Township office locations, hours, and days of availability.
(B) Initial eligibility criteria.
(C) Continuing eligibility criteria.
(D) Workfare requirements.
(E) Essential and nonessential assets.
(F) Available resources.
(G) Income exemptions.
(H) Application process.
(I) Countable income.
(J) Countable assets.
(K) Wasted resources.
(b) Standards for the administration of township assistance must exclude a Holocaust victim's settlement payment received by an eligible individual from countable assets and countable income.
(b) A township trustee or for standards applicable after December 31, 2012, the county legislative body may not consider a Holocaust victim's settlement payment received by an eligible individual when setting income standards under this section.
(b) The actions that a trustee may take on a completed application for township assistance, except in a case of emergency, are the following:
(1) Grant assistance.
(2) Deny assistance, including a partial denial of assistance requested.
(3) Leave the decision pending.
(c) A decision pending determination under subsection (b)(3):
(1) may not remain pending for more than seventy-two (72) hours after the expiration of the period described in subsection (a); and
(2) must include a statement listing the specific reasons that assistance is not granted or denied within the period required under subsection (a).
(d) If a trustee does not:
(1) accept a completed application for township assistance; or
(2) grant or deny a completed application for township assistance within the period required under this section;
the application is considered denied, and the denial may be appealed under IC 12-20-15.
(1) is not satisfied with the decision of the township trustee, as administrator of township assistance; or
(2) has had an application denied under IC 12-20-6-7(d);
the applicant or recipient may appeal to the board of commissioners.
(1) of issuance by the township trustee of adequate written notice of the denial of township assistance as provided by IC 12-20-6-8; or
(2) the application is denied under IC 12-20-6-7(d).
An appeal must be made in writing or orally as required by the board of commissioners.
(1) review and consider any report or investigative documents the trustee prepared before making the appealed decision; and
(2) be governed by the township's or (after December 31, 2012) county's township assistance standards for determining eligibility to the extent that the standards comply with existing law for the granting of township assistance. If no legally sufficient standards have been established, the board of commissioners and the hearing officer shall be guided by the circumstances in each case.
(b) The board of commissioners shall remand a case to a trustee for further proceedings if:
(1) new evidence was presented by the applicant to the board of commissioners; and
(2) the board of commissioners determines that the new evidence presented would have made the individual eligible for assistance.
(c) If a case is remanded to a trustee, the trustee shall issue a new determination of eligibility not later than seventy-two (72) hours after receiving the written decision remanding the case, excluding weekends and legal holidays listed in IC 1-1-9.
(b) In hearing an appeal, the court shall be governed by the township's or (after December 31, 2012) county's township assistance standards for determining eligibility for granting township assistance in the township. If legally sufficient standards have not been established, the court shall be guided by the circumstances of the case.
(b) The amount of a food order for various sized households that are determined by the trustee to be eligible for township assistance shall be based upon uniform monthly amounts specified in the township's or (after December 31, 2012) county's township assistance standards. However, an additional amount of food may be ordered for special health reasons as prescribed by a physician. A supplemental food order may be issued because of the loss of the recipient's food by:
(1) fire, flood, or other natural disaster;
(2) burglary or other criminal act; or
(3) the unpreventable spoilage of food.
(c) The trustee may issue a food order to an eligible applicant on either a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
JULY 1, 2011]: Sec. 12. (a) This section does not apply if the county
coroner assumes jurisdiction of an unclaimed body under
IC 36-2-14-16.
(b) If:
(1) an individual dies in a township without leaving:
(A) money;
(B) real or personal property;
(C) other assets that may be liquidated; or
(D) other means necessary to defray funeral expenses; and
(2) the individual is not a resident of another township in Indiana;
the township trustee, as administrator of township assistance, shall
provide a person to superintend and authorize either the funeral and
burial or cremation of the deceased individual. If the township trustee
determines that the deceased individual is a resident of another
township in Indiana, the township trustee shall notify the trustee of that
township, who shall then provide a person to superintend and authorize
either the funeral and burial or cremation of the deceased individual.
(c) The necessary and reasonable expenses of the funeral and burial
or cremation, including a burial plot, shall be paid in the same manner
as other claims for township assistance. A trustee shall determine the
cost for the items and services required by law for the funeral and
burial of an individual, including a burial plot, and for the cremation of
an individual, and include in the township's or (after December 31,
2012) county's township assistance standards the maximum funeral
and burial or cremation amount to be paid from township assistance
funds. The trustee may deduct from the maximum amount the
following:
(1) Any monetary benefits that the deceased individual is entitled
to receive from a state or federal program.
(2) Any money that another person provides on behalf of the
deceased individual.
(d) If an individual described in subsection (b) is a resident of a
state institution at the time of the individual's death, the division that
has administrative control of the state institution shall reimburse the
township trustee for the necessary and reasonable expenses of the
funeral and burial or cremation of the deceased individual. The
township trustee shall submit to the division that has administrative
control of the state institution an itemized claim for reimbursement of
the necessary and reasonable funeral and burial or cremation expenses
incurred by the township trustee.
(e) If an individual described in subsection (b) is a resident of a
special institution governed by IC 16-33 at the time of the individual's
death, the state department of health shall reimburse the township
trustee for the necessary and reasonable expenses of the funeral and
burial or cremation of the deceased individual. The township trustee
shall submit to the state department of health an itemized claim for
reimbursement of the necessary and reasonable funeral and burial or
cremation expenses incurred by the township trustee.
(f) A township trustee who provides funeral and burial or cremation
benefits to a deceased individual is entitled to a first priority claim, to
the extent of the cost of the funeral and burial or cremation benefits
paid by the township trustee, against any money or other personal
property held by the coroner under IC 36-2-14-11.
(g) The township trustee may not cremate a deceased individual if:
(1) the deceased individual; or
(2) a surviving family member of the deceased individual;
has objected in writing to cremation.
(h) If a township trustee provides a funeral under this section, the
cost of the funeral may not be more than the cost of the least expensive
funeral, including any necessary merchandise and embalming,
available from the funeral director under the funeral director's price list
disclosed to the Federal Trade Commission.
(1) the county council, for a county not having a consolidated city;
(2) the city-county council of a consolidated city and county;
(3) the common council of a city;
(4) the town council of a town;
(5)
(A) the township board, before January 1, 2012; and
(B) the county fiscal body after December 31, 2011;
(6) for a township in a county not having consolidated city:
(A) the township board, before January 1, 2013; and
(B) the county fiscal body after December 31, 2012; or
(1) county council, for a county not having a consolidated city;
(2) city-county council, for a consolidated city or county having a consolidated city;
(3) common council, for a city other than a consolidated city;
(4) town council, for a town;
(5)
(A) the township board, before January 1, 2012; and
(B) the county fiscal body after December 31, 2011;
(6) for a township in a county not having a consolidated city:
(A) the township board, before January 1, 2013; and
(B) the county fiscal body after December 31, 2012;
(1) the board of county commissioners, for a county not subject to IC 36-2-3.5 or IC 36-3-1;
(2) the county council, for a county subject to IC 36-2-3.5;
(3) the city-county council, for a consolidated city or county having a consolidated city;
(4) the common council, for a city other than a consolidated city;
(5) the town council, for a town;
(6)
(A) the township board, before January 1, 2012; and
(B) the county fiscal body after December 31, 2011;
(7) for a township in a county not having a consolidated city:
(A) the township board, before January 1, 2013; and
(B) the county fiscal body after December 31, 2012;
(b) A public meeting or a public hearing of a township official or governing body must be held in a public place and not in a private residence.
(1) a township reorganizes under this article with one (1) or more townships; and
(2) the new political subdivision that results from the reorganization is not a city or town.
(b) After December 31, 2012, the fiscal body of the resulting new political subdivision is the county fiscal body, which shall review the budget of the new political subdivision under IC 6-1.1-17-2.
(b) Each item of expenditure must be accompanied by the verified voucher of the person to whom the sum was paid, stating:
(1) why the payment was made;
(2) that the receipt is for the exact sum received;
(3) that no part of the sum has been retained by the executive; and
(4) that no part of the sum has been or is to be returned to the executive or any other person.
The executive may administer oaths to persons giving these receipts.
(c) The report must separately list each expenditure that is made to reimburse the executive for the executive's use of tangible property (as defined in IC 6-1.1-1-19) for public business, including any reimbursements made for the executive's use of a private residence, a personal telephone, or a personal vehicle for public business. As used in this section, "private residence" means a place that is not a public place.
(1) the report shows all sums received by
(2) the expenditures credited have been fully paid in the sums stated, without express or implied agreement that any part of the sums is to be retained by or returned to the executive or any other person; and
(3) the executive has received no money or other property in consideration of any contract entered into on behalf of the township.
(b) On January 1, 2015, the township boards in each county are abolished.
(c) After December 31, 2012:
(1) the county fiscal body is the fiscal body of each township in the county; and
(2) the county fiscal body shall exercise the fiscal powers assigned in the Indiana Code to township boards, including the authority to adopt the township's annual budget and to levy township property taxes for township funds.
(d) After December 31, 2012:
(1) the county legislative body is the legislative body of each township in the county; and
(2) the county legislative body shall exercise the legislative powers assigned in the Indiana Code to township boards.
(e) The county executive shall allow and make orders for payment of claims against the township in the same manner that the county executive allows and orders payment of claims against the county.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision, after December 31, 2012, the only duty and responsibility of a township board is to formulate and submit to the county fiscal body a proposed budget, tax rate, and levy under IC 6-1.1-17.
(g) The abolishment of a township board under subsection (b) does not invalidate:
(1) any resolutions, fees, or schedules adopted or other actions taken by the township board before January 1, 2013; or
(2) any appointments made by the township board before January 1, 2013.
(h) After December 31, 2012, any reference:
(1) in the Indiana Code;
(2) in the Indiana Administrative Code; or
(3) in any resolution;
to the township board concerning fiscal powers and duties shall be considered a reference to the county fiscal body.
(i) After December 31, 2012, any reference:
(1) in the Indiana Code;
(2) in the Indiana Administrative Code; or
(3) in any resolution;
to the township board concerning legislative powers and duties shall be considered a reference to the county legislative body.
(b) On January 1, 2013, the township boards in the county are abolished.
(c) After December 31, 2011:
(1) the county fiscal body is the fiscal body and legislative body of each township in the county; and
(2) the county fiscal body shall exercise the legislative and fiscal powers assigned in the Indiana Code to township boards, including the authority to adopt the township's annual budget and to levy township property taxes for township funds.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision, after December 31, 2011, the only duty and responsibility of a township board is to formulate and submit to the county fiscal body a proposed budget, tax rate, and levy under IC 6-1.1-17.
(e) The abolishment of a township board under subsection (b) does not invalidate:
(1) any resolutions, fees, or schedules adopted or other actions taken by the township board before January 1, 2012; or
(2) any appointments made by the township board before January 1, 2012.
(f) After December 31, 2011, any reference:
(1) in the Indiana Code;
(2) in the Indiana Administrative Code; or
(3) in any resolution;
to the township board shall be considered a reference to the county fiscal body.
JULY 1, 2011]:
Chapter 10. Township Capital Improvement Plan
Sec. 1. This chapter applies:
(1) after December 31, 2012, in a county not having a
consolidated city; and
(2) after December 31, 2011, in a county having a consolidated
city.
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "capital improvement" means:
(1) acquisition of land;
(2) site improvements;
(3) infrastructure improvements;
(4) construction of buildings or structures;
(5) rehabilitation, renovation, or enlargement of buildings or
structures; or
(6) acquisition or improvement of machinery, equipment,
furnishings, or facilities.
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "capital improvement fund"
means a township fund in which the money in the fund may be used
for the payment of capital improvements. The term includes:
(1) a cumulative firefighting building and equipment fund
under IC 36-8-14;
(2) an equipment replacement fund under IC 36-8-19-8.5;
(3) a cumulative township vehicle and building fund under
IC 36-9-17.5;
(4) a cumulative building fund under IC 36-10-7.5-19; and
(5) any other fund established by a township for the payment
of capital improvements.
Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "plan" refers to a township
capital improvement plan adopted or amended under this chapter.
Sec. 5. Before a township may collect property taxes for a
capital improvement fund in a particular year, the township
trustee must prepare a proposed or amended plan in the
immediately preceding year. The county fiscal body, not later than
August 1, shall hold a public hearing on a proposed or amended
plan and adopt the proposed or amended plan.
Sec. 6. (a) The department of local government finance shall
prescribe the format of the plan.
(b) A plan must:
(1) apply to at least the three (3) years immediately following
the year the plan is adopted;
(2) estimate for each year to which the plan applies the nature
and amount of proposed expenditures from the capital
improvement fund; and
(3) estimate:
(A) the source of all revenue to be dedicated to the
proposed expenditures in the upcoming calendar year; and
(B) the amount of property taxes to be collected in the
upcoming calendar year and retained in the fund for
expenditures proposed for a later year.
Sec. 7. A township trustee, with the approval of the county fiscal
body, may amend a plan to:
(1) provide money for the purposes of the fund; or
(2) supplement money accumulated in the fund for the
purposes of the fund.
Sec. 8. The plan shall be considered by:
(1) the county fiscal body in making the annual budget
estimate under IC 6-1.1-17-2; and
(2) the department of local government finance when
reviewing a budget, tax rate, and tax levy of a township under
IC 6-1.1-17-16.
