Hoosiers Support Township Government
March 11, 2008 ( INDIANAPOLIS ) - A statewide poll of registered voters demonstrates that Hoosiers support township government and are opposed to its elimination. “The results of this poll come as no surprise to us. Taxpayers recognize that township government continues to provide effective and efficient services to their constituents throughout this state,” said Debbie Driskell , Executive Director of the Indiana Township Association.
Respondents were asked a variety of questions regarding services provided by various governmental units throughout the state, as well as questions specific to duties performed by township trustees and trustee-assessors.
When asked, “do you feel that township government should be eliminated,” a majority of respondents answered “no” - only 32% answered in the affirmative. The results clearly demonstrate the support that exists for maintaining township government.
Indiana's trustees provide township assistance to those less fortunate, oversee the delivery of fire services in many communities, perform assessing duties, provide for cemetery maintenance and weed control, and serve as a resource to the citizens they represent.
When asked, ‘which level of government should primarily be responsible for conducting property tax assessments,” a plurality of individuals felt that township and county assessors should continue acting in their current roles. Only 20% felt that assessing duties should rest solely with county assessors.
Indiana 's property tax assessment system has been a topic of discussion this session at the Statehouse. The ITA has supported giving local communities the ability to decide how their assessment system is structured through local referendums. Stated Driskell, “The poll shows that Hoosiers support the continued role of township assessors and trustee-assessors in the assessment process. For areas of the state that do support consolidation of assessing duties, the referendum allows for that scenario.”
Finally, Hoosiers were also asked if consolidating current township duties into one agency at the county level would result in more efficiency. A majority of respondents felt that consolidating services at the county level would be less efficient than current practice.
TeleResearch Corporation, an Indiana-based research firm, conducted the poll and tabulated the results. The responses from registered voters resulted in a margin of error of +/- 3.3%. 52% of the respondents were female while 48% were male. 10% of the voters identified themselves as between ages 18-34, 29% were between the ages of 35-49, 37% were age 50-64, while 23% were 65 or older.
CONTACT: Debbie Driskell , Indiana Township Association Executive Director
ddriskell@iquest.net or 317.501.7222
