A newly introduced Indiana bill aims to dissolve township government in all but one Indiana county by Jan. 1, 2027. The bill was introduced one week before the caucus to replace ex-Calumet Township Trustee Kim Robinson.
House Bill 1233, if passed, will dissolve township government and give an elected county trustee powers and duties regarding township trustees, fire protection and emergency services. The bill also says on Jan. 1, 2027, all fire protection districts and territories will dissolve and fire services will be provided in accordance with a county plan.
The bill will affect 91 Indiana counties, excluding Marion County.
Rep. Karen Engleman, R-Georgetown, authored House Bill 1233. It was sent to the local government committee on Jan. 9.
Gary Common Councilman Darren Washington, D-at large, confirmed House Bill 1233’s existence and said it would affect Calumet Township. Washington was previously interested in the township trustee position before the bill’s creation.
“When you look at the bill, they’re talking about over 100, probably 200 plus trustees because you’ve got several townships in a county,” Washington told the Post-Tribune Thursday. “You’re talking about significantly reducing the township trustees to 92 trustees because it will be a county-wide position … It’s going to be interesting to see if it makes it out of committee and gets to the actual floor.”
It’s not a new idea, as former Gov. Mitch Daniels and the Kernan-Shepherd report called for the complete elimination of township government in 2011, spotlighting ways to make government more cost-effective and efficient. The proposal was never passed by the legislature.
On Monday, Washington said he was no longer running for the position, saying he is committed to his role as councilman and that he wants to strengthen the local Democratic party. Washington told the Post-Tribune Thursday that the bill was a “major contributor” in his decision to not run.
Jim Wieser, chairman for the Lake County Democratic Party, said Washington never applied for the Calumet Township trustee caucus.
Sherita Smith, Shanita Starks, Tai Adkins, McKenya Dilworth-Smith, Sharon Chambers, Glenn Johnson, Carol Ann Seaton and Linda Collins Brown were the eight candidates who filed in time, Wieser said Monday.
On Dec. 23, ex-Trustee Kim Robinson pleaded guilty in Hammond’s U.S. District Court to one count of wire fraud, which can carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Federal prosecutors alleged she used $11,200 in township funds to pay rent.
As part of her plea deal, Robinson resigned as trustee and chairperson for the Democratic Precincts of Gary. If her deal is accepted, she will serve one year of probation and have to repay $11,200, plus an $8,700 fine, according to Post-Tribune archives.
Robinson is the third consecutive Calumet Township trustee to face federal charges.
