A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF TOWNSHIP GOVERNANCE IN INDIANA

Townships are creatures of statute and have only the authority expressly granted to them by the Indiana General Assembly, While townships received “home rule” authority in the early 1990’s, townships located entirely within municipalities (such as Indianapolis) did not receive home rule authority. Consequently, Franklin Township’s authority is limited to the specific charges and authority granted under applicable statutes, Consequently, the legislative authority of township boards differs dramatically from town, city or county legislative bodies. and even school boards with which you may be familiar.

Township governmental functions are funded primarily by means of an annual property tax levy upon property located within the township, although additional funds from excise and bank taxes and other funding sources such as COIT are received, The township trustee, as the executive of the township, has the ultimate responsibility for the delivery of the governmental services that the township is required by statute to provide, While the trustee may act alone in many circumstances, the township board also has a vital role in township governance, and holds a primary role in budgeting and tax matters, and an approval role in several specified purchasing and contractual matters.