Candidate criticizes township for lack of meeting transparency

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Dear Editor:

I’m writing to express my concern about the current level of public engagement from Noblesville Township and to suggest some ways the elected leaders might increase public awareness of their efforts on behalf of the taxpayers.

I attended the March meeting of the Noblesville Township Board, where the three elected board members unanimously approved a $630,000 office renovation project to begin mid-April. I wasn’t aware that the expenditure would be an action item at the meeting because despite visiting the township website, I was unable to find a meeting agenda.

The office renovation project follows on the heels of a nearly completed renovation project of the township’s community center. I don’t know the price tag or any specifics about that project despite looking over the meeting minutes from 2025 – the minutes from 2026 don’t appear on the website.

Indiana’s open door laws set minimum requirements for governing bodies such as publicizing meeting dates and allowing members of the public to be present.

However, good government practices go beyond the bare minimum requirements. It would be a good practice to post the board meeting agenda on the website in advance of the meeting, and provide minutes in a timely manner after the meeting. It would also be good to have a public comment period at board meetings.

I would go so far as to suggest that a quarterly newsletter be posted on the website with some data updating the public on all the good things Noblesville Township is doing and also give an annual financial report.

We can give lip service to our desire for “local control” all day long, but if we don’t insist that our township adheres to good government practices – especially with regard to spending tax dollars – then we may be fueling the efforts of legislators who want to eliminate townships altogether.

Jenna Stewart
Noblesville resident & candidate for Noblesville Township Board