Kokomo — When it comes to reducing budgets and saving tax dollars, State Sen. Jim Buck believes inter-local agreements are the right direction to take.
Buck, R-21st District, who authored the Government Modernization Act that was passed by the Indiana Legislature in 2006, addressed the Howard County Council last week on the intent of the legislation.
He was critical of Kokomo and Howard County officials for leaving discussions regarding merging emergency dispatch centers and MS4 programs up to the 12-member Citizens Committee for Consolidation. Buck said discussions about merging the departments should be conducted by city and county officials.
He also said Kokomo and Taylor Township should have tried to reach an inter-local agreement on providing fire protection in the southeast part of the city. Kokomo is constructing a new fire station on Center Road near U.S. 31.
“We’re spending $2 million on a new fire station when there is a station a few blocks away,” Buck said of the proximity of the new Kokomo station and the Taylor Township fire department. He noted an inter-local agreement would have saved money.
The Citizens Committee for Consolidation is expected to make recommendations on merging the dispatch center and MS4 programs at its July 20 meeting.
While addressing the council, Buck said the Government Modernization Act allows individuals to attempt to consolidate local government services.
“You save the most money in the consolidation of services and purchasing,” Buck said. “Savings at times do take place when government is consolidated and there is an elimination of offices.”
He said people have to recognize the difference between consolidation and inter-local agreements. Inter-local agreements save money, he continued.
Buck said if there is a consolidation of police and fire services in a community, there should be a fee established so that each community pays according to usage of the services. Without the fee, county residents will pay more of the cost, he said.
Buck said the Indy Works plan to consolidate Indianapolis and Marion County government was supposed to save $100,000 per day.
“We questioned those savings,” he said. “The data couldn’t be sustained.”
Buck said a study committee visited other U.S. cities Nashville, Charlotte and Louisville to look at government consolidation.
He said the mayor of Louisville, Ky., said three times an attempt was made to consolidate government based on savings and it was defeated by voters. The consolidation was approved when it was presented as more effective government.
The only example of consolidation that has taken place since the Government Modernization Act was passed in 2006 was Zionsville’s consolidation with two townships.
“Township government was eliminated and the trustees now serve on the city council,” he said.
Buck said communities need to look for new ways to govern and through consolidation save money by being more effective.
“We wanted it [consolidation] to be a local issue, rather than a state mandate,” Buck said. “There was an effort to eliminate all township government, but it was not advisable in all areas.”
Indiana currently has 1,008 township trustees.
“I firmly believe we need trustees, but don’t need all of them,” Buck said. “We have been talking about bringing the number down to 400.”