Legislative panel backs way to force county shift

By Niki Kelly, The Journal Gazette

NDIANAPOLIS - Hoosiers wanting to change the structure of county government would have a petition option under a conference committee report discussed by lawmakers Monday.

Senate Bill 312 attempts to move Indiana counties away from the current system of electing three county commissioners to a single county executive. Legislative powers also would be moved to the seven-member county council, making the system more similar to a mayor and city council.