Most of you are aware that Indiana is not the only state where local government has come Michigan townships also have been weathering the storm of calls for elimination and/or Association’s publication, “Reforming Michigan’s Local Government”, is a good reference since many of the arguments for keeping services local are very much the same.

For example: Township Fund Balances (p. 28 of the report) states, “Townships generally carry larger year-end fund balances than do other local units of governments, often exceeding the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recommended minimum, an amount equal to two months’ worth of operating expenses.

The Elkhart County Commissioners invited the ITA Executive Director to speak to a group of county office holders, including township trustees, who are meeting on a regular basis to discuss ways to improve and retain local government in Elkhart County. Following is a press report from the May 26, 2010 meeting.

Officials want to offer ways to improve service ahead of moves to dissolve offices.

Published: Thursday, May 27, 2010 — The Truth, By Tim Vandenack, Truth Staff

The American Red Cross is in the disaster response business. However, we can’t do this job alone. Partnerships are critical, and I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about a working partnership between the Red Cross and the Jeffersonville Township Trustee’s Office.

The trustee’s office is unusual in that they take the initiative to contact our office to see if we need help in serving those affected by disaster, whether it be fire, flood, windstorm or other catastrophic event. Likewise, they are readily available to us when we call for help.

The Indiana Township Association’s Task Force, created last year for the purpose of analyzing current practices and proposing changes to enhance township government, is still at work. Dubbed “Best Practices for the 21st Century,” the goal of the task force to provide better service to the citizens of Indiana through the efficient use of tax dollars.