Kokomo — Howard County commissioners have responded to a 2010 Kokomo resolution regarding government consolidation talks.
In April 2010, a Kokomo Common Council’s resolution sought the county’s participation in consolidation talks based on the state’s Government Modernization Act.
At that time, commissioners didn’t respond to the resolution. Rather, they formed the Citizen’s Committee for Consolidation, which consisted of 12 members with three representatives each from the county, Kokomo, Greentown and Russiaville.
During their meeting Tuesday, commissioners adopted an amended resolution in response to Kokomo. The county’s resolution called for the inclusion of Russiaville and Greentown in the consolidation discussions.
The resolution was approved with a 2-1 vote. Republicans Tyler Moore and Paul Wyman voted for passage, while Democrat Bill Thompson cast the dissenting vote.
Thompson said the timing wasn’t right to move forward under the modernization act’s guidelines.
After the vote, Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight said he’s comfortable with including Russiaville and Greentown in the discussions. His concern is balanced representation on the committee.
“If the right people are appointed, where they reside doesn’t matter,” he said. “I appointed people to the CCC that didn’t reside in the city.”
In order to maintain balance on the committee, Goodnight suggested representation be decided by population.
“My No. 1 goal has to be representing the city of Kokomo,” he said.
The commissioners’ action now awaits approval from Kokomo, Russiaville and Greentown. If approved, a committee appointed by the four government entities will make a recommendation on the consolidation of government services. Upon approval of the resolution, the groups have 15 days to decide on the make-up of the committee. If no agreement is reached in that time period, each government entity will be permitted to appoint three members.
The committee would then have one year to make a recommendation on consolidation. Final adoption of any consolidation plan will be up to voters in a referendum.
County attorney Larry Murrell said the government entities would set a budget for the committee, which could include staff, consultants and office expenses.
Murrell said there is no time limit on Kokomo, Russiaville or Greentown to act on the commissioners’ amended resolution, which included wording calling for the inclusion of members of the Citizen’s Committee for Consolidation if possible.
Local resident Clee Oliver said the CCC is planning meetings to discuss school and township consolidation, topics not addressed in the resolution.
Oliver noted the CCC meetings attracted little public input.