Plan details presented, merger is “moving forward”

Perhaps the most important information of the Monday’s White River Township/Greenwood Reorganization committee came near the end when chair Pat Sherman announced that the reorganization effort was moving forward as if the effort was “first in time” and would therefore prevent an almost certain friendly annexation by Bargersville of 13 square miles of the southwest portion of the township at a meeting set for Thursday night.

Sherman stated that he has written a second letter to the Bargersville council more “strongly worded” than the first asking them to join with the township, the reorganization committee and Greenwood to seek a judicial ruling on who is “first in time” in their effort to bring unincorporated White River Township into incorporated Greenwood, or Bargersville. Although a “judicial review” would require a lawsuit Sherman stated that working together in a “friendly suit” where both parties agree to seek a judicial ruling “doesn’t have to be costly”. He said “We have tried.” Greenwood council member Brent Corey asked “How long do we wait for a reply?” Sherman didn’t have an answer.

Tonight’s update (view presentation outline here) provided more details to the plans of the Health and Safety, Infrastructure, and Planning and Land Use subcommittees. Sherman said the plan is coming together a little at a time making his point by opening the meeting with the question “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer of course, “One bite at time.”

The first “bite” was response to questions from the July 20th update (view the outline of that presentation here) where the council and board asked for clarification on a few issues from the governance subcommittee. The committee stated that the new council would be made up of eleven members with four of those being “at large” for the first eight years. After 2020 there would be three at large council members, the remaining members would represent specific districts. The committee also stated that all members must be residents of the “new” Greenwood. Which would mean that if the current plan is adopted and the three White River Township board members and the Township Trustee are appointed to the council they all must be residents of the new community. If Bargersville’s annexation plans are carried out and don’t fall to a possible court challenge Township Trustee Jay Marks would be a resident of Bargersville and not the “new” Greenwood.

Council members also wondered if the Public Works board should also have council members serve on the board. The committee decided that the current separation of powers should be maintained and no council members should serve on the board.

The Planning and Land Use subcommittee which has been most creative in finding solutions and alternatives issued a plan to increase the members of the planning commission from 9 to 13 through the year 2019. Some of the additional members will be appointed by the current WRT Board. The Board of Zoning Appeals will also increase by two from the current five members to seven. A council member “asked what about political affiliation?” I don’t know what political affiliation has to do with good zoning policy but apparently at least one council member thinks party affiliation influences a person’s ability to make good land use decisions.

All rural areas would remain rural until the land is sold or developed and rezoned. The rural areas would receive all city services except trash pickup, sewer services, leaf and limb collection, and mosquito spraying. By not providing these services the rural tax rate will be able to be maintained. No city taxes would be on farm land ten acres or larger that is actively farmed. County regulations would remain in effect or be adopted by the “new” city government.

Health Safety and Welfare reported that the Greenwood and White River Township Fire Departments are in merger talks but the committee has no role in those talks. The Bargersville fire district has declined to participate. Both Greenwood and White River Township departments’ contract with Rural Metro ambulance services and that public/private contract would remain.

To provide police protection to the additional area 17 new police officers and four new dispatchers would be hired at an estimated cost of 1.99 million dollars. It was earlier reported that the county has no plans to reduce the number of sheriff’s deputies even if the county’s most populated township no longer requires their regular patrols. A question was raised if there was enough space for the new officers and dispatchers. The mayor stated that there are plans to relocate the court which would provide space for the additional officers. No cost estimates for relocating the court were provided.

Currently the township trustee provides poor relief. The plan currently calls for the city clerk to take over that role.

The Infrastructure plan calls for providing a storm water utility throughout White River Township, no cost estimate was provided. If you live in urban areas of WRT you realize this is an important step, however a plan that follows the mission statement of “efficient” government is imperative. We look forward to seeing the committee’s final plan.

There is good news for White River Township residents. Currently WRT township residents pay more taxes that go to fix roads than is spent in the township. If the area self-incorporates, or reorganizes with Greenwood that money comes directly to local government. The committee’s plan is that for the first eight year’s after the merger the current unincorporated area would get 100% of the tax money spent on its roads. The plan goes so far as to require the city controller to keep the money in separate accounts.

Of course with local government come a few extras. Greenwood’s city trash collection would be extended to all urban areas. The current rate is $10.97 per month (that might be less than you currently pay). All street lights would move from responsibilities of home owners associations to the city (do you expect you HOA fees to decline?) and leaf and limb pickup service will be provided. And of course those nasty mosquitoes, oh wait, the committee doesn’t yet have a plan to extend Greenwood’s mosquito extermination service to the urban areas. They need to estimate trucks and manpower required. Wait a minute, I live next to a retention pond, outside the current city limits and I don’t have a mosquito problem. I guess somehow without government involvement my neighbors and I have managed to control them. OK maybe most of the credit goes to my HOA board rather than to me.

The point is, maybe, just maybe, government doesn’t have to do everything for us. Some innovation in policy and practice beyond estimates of the cost to expand Greenwood’s government would be welcomed. I appreciate the efforts of the committee, they are all volunteers, and no matter how the final plan turns out, you can’t complain if you don’t provide your input, your thoughts, and your time. Complain, complement, or get involved. After all it is your future and your money!

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