The governor is already releasing some details of his plan to let local units of government have more control. The plan will be in House Bill 1400, which hasn't been posted by the state, so we don't know what the specifics will be yet. But according to the governor's Web site, the plan would, among other things, give local governments new revenue options, such as local option income, sales, food and beverage, and innkeepers' to provide property relief and meet future spending needs, and encourage and incentivize local governments to cooperate, collaborate or reorganize.
And there's more in a news release e-mailed from the governor's office. The part of the plan dealing with local-government flexibility would:
Encourage and incentivize local governments to cooperate, collaborate or reorganize.
·
Vest broad authority and discretion to consolidate/merge units in local legislative bodies voluntarily or by petition and referendum process initiated by taxpayers.
·
Modernize inter-local agreement statute. Expressly permit counties to collaborate with other units. Expressly authorize broader tax revenue sharing among local units.
· Establish financial incentives to encourage these actions by allowing units to keep all or a significant portion of their levy.
If I'm reading this right, it's a very big deal. Passage would mean that communities wanting to consider consoldiation, such as Fort Wayne-Allen County and Evansville-Vanderburgh County, would no longer have to wait for legislative approval to hold a referendum. The ability -- incentives, even -- would be built into state law.
OK, all you charter-government enthusiasts. It's time to stop making excuses and get back on track.
