Kokomo — Howard County is moving forward in forming a committee to discuss changes in how local government operates, and it’s using the state’s Government Modernization Act to do it.
More than a year ago, the Kokomo Common Council passed a resolution under the guidelines of the state statute to begin discussions with the county on government consolidation.
At the time, Howard County commissioners took no action on the resolution. Instead, they created the Citizens Committee for Consolidation, which included representatives selected by city and county officials, as well as Greentown and Russiaville.
CCC members recommended in May that the commissioners move forward with a committee under the guidelines of the Government Modernization Act.
Commissioner Paul Wyman said Monday there have been discussions with the CCC concerning the state statute.
“We are responding to the city’s resolution,” Wyman said.
Wyman said Greentown and Russiaville will be invited to participate in the formation of the committee. He said once the county knows if the two towns want to participate, there will be a response to the city’s resolution.
That resolution would have to be amended to include Russiaville and Greentown in the discussions. Wyman said the city is in favor of having the two towns participate.
Tyler Moore, president of the Board of Commissioners, indicated the CCC could be the foundation for the new committee under the Government Modernization Act.
He said representation from Howard County, Kokomo, Russiaville and Greentown could be based on population, adding that, at a minimum, there would be three representatives from each government entity.
Moore noted the majority of the population is located in Kokomo.
The state statute would provide good guidelines for the CCC to follow during the discussions, Wyman said.
“The final say will be in the hands of the voters,” he said.
Once formed, the committee has one year to make a recommendation to government officials on proposals for the consolidation of government services.
The CCC intends to conduct five public forums beginning in August at a central location to receive public input on a number of consolidation topics including: consolidation of the Kokomo Police Department and Howard County Sheriff Department, townships, schools, city and county highway departments, fire departments and Emergency Management; as well as discussions concerning annexation, privatization of government services, quality of life issues, and government leadership.