Dear Editor:
As the primary election approaches I feel it’s important for the voter to become familiar with some of the insider issues that may affect your voting pattern and specifically when considering incumbents and township government.
Today I read that Pike Township of Marion County has a budget approaching $40 million and the trustee is paid approximately $94,000 per year. Wow!
The Pike Township board members are paid $5,400 per year as per their published report printed in the Indy Star on Feb. 19. I am a past member of the Noblesville Township Board and have some knowledge of the requirements including the dedicated time required to attend meetings and preform these required statutory board duties.
Noblesville in contrast has a budget much, much less than Pike Township and did pay the trustee some $15,000 less at last count. However the current board is now paid at the rate of $15,000 per year, or three times the rate of most/majority of township boards in Hamilton County and the State. SELF SERVING AT ITS BEST.
Recall that these board members have to vote on these ridiculous salaries – which are, in the opinion of many, totally self-serving. I think an estimated total time committed to this board position unless a drastic change has occurred on an annual basis is approximately three to five hours total. NOT A BAD RATE OF PAY.
The legislature this current session attempted to eliminate some of these smaller self-serving township governments and their boards, plus put a limit on the income allowed for board members, but this failed as a result of the grassroots effort put forth by the trustees and boards who have a vested interest in the continuation of the status quo.
Mine and others’ experiences suggest no sincere interest exists in efficiency and cost savings and will routinely not be implemented or considered by any form of government including local, county, state, regional and federal. The Indiana Association of Trustees was in favor of this recent attempt to modify the age-old township government model, but was unsuccessful with their support. Kevin Brinegar of the State Chamber of Commerce was also supportive of these and other changes affecting the form of township government as we know it now.
A need exists to continue implementing the cost saving details of the bi-partisan report presented by Governor Kernan and retired Indiana Supreme Court Justice Shepard – known as the Kernan Shepard report – who have reported and suggested in their many recommendations that the old model of 1,007 Indiana township government sites needs eliminated, and all duties preformed at the townships could be transferred to the county and handled more efficiently and effectively, thus improving service and reducing cost.
Just a few thoughts regarding township government including board salaries and other issues to ponder.
Jim Williams
Cicero