November 5 — Indiana Chief Justice Randall Shepherd discusses the challenges of local government reform
The “Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform” was charged by Governor Daniels to provide recommendations for a leaner local government structure. Led by former Governor Joe Kernan and Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepard, the Commission released its report in December of 2007. Perhaps only Justice Shepard appreciates just how significant the report’s recommendations really are.
When: Wednesday, November 5, 11:00-12:30 PM (stay for lunch)
Where: North United Methodist Church 3808 N Meridian St Indianapolis, IN 46208
Part of the Mid-North Shepherd Center’s “Domestic Decisions” series.
The mandate of the Commision was:
The Commission on Local Government Reform is charged with recommending ways to restructure local government to increase efficiency and reduce the financial burden on Indiana taxpayers. In conducting its work, the Commission will seek to answer the following questions about the future of local government in Indiana:
- What local government offices might be eliminated to achieve efficiencies and cost savings for Hoosier taxpayers? In specific, should township/county property tax assessors be abolished in favor of a uniform process managed by the state?
- What local units of government (including schools and libraries) might be successfully consolidated to reduce overhead and administrative expenses?
- What services or functions of local government might be reduced, eliminated, or provided in new ways to achieve savings for Hoosier taxpayers?
- What constitutional, statutory, administrative, or other changes are necessary to achieve significant reforms in the structure and organization of Indiana state government?
Those are pretty good questions, although necesasarily some even better questions were too touchy to be addressed. Some of the recommendations:
- County governments should be led by a single, elected county executive and a stronger county council, to which professionally qualified administrators should report and be accountable.
- The services performed by township personnel should be transferred to the county governments.
- All local public safety services should be coordinated countywide, and regionally where appropriate.
- Emergency dispatch must be centralized, at least countywide, using the compatible 800 MHz system.
- Only elected officials should have the power to levy taxes.
- Indiana’s school districts should be large enough to gather sufficient resources to educate our children for 21st-century life.
- All spending, including school spending, should be subject to more rigorous examination by elected officials.
- A statewide office should be designated to provide technical assistance to help local governments make recommended changes.
