HB 1249 Summary

• Abolishes all township governments effective January 1, 2013, transferring township functions to county governments (county executive assumes trustee duties, county council assumes township board duties, county assessor assumes assessor duties).

• Establishes county advocate for the poor position (elected countywide) to administer township assistance programs beginning January 1, 2013, and creates township assistance funds at the county level.

• Transfers fire protection responsibilities from townships to counties, establishing county firefighting funds; in Marion County, consolidates remaining township fire departments into the Indianapolis fire department.

• Creates transition boards in each county (with township trustees as non-voting advisory members) to develop countywide township assistance plans and uniform standards by January 1, 2013.

• Requires school townships to reorganize by July 1, 2012, with the state board developing reorganization plans for those that do not; directs transfer of excess township fund balances (25% each) to property tax credits, county poverty programs, Indiana University-Northwest, and Indiana State University.