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Bill Allows Clermont to Dissolve
(posted Feb 15)
Some Clermont residents may be one step closer to their wish of dissolving
the town. Mingled in with other government reforms, HB 1341 contains language to abolish included towns.
State Representative Phil Hinkle told Clermont residents at his September
town hall meeting to expect the General Assembly to address included towns
as part of government reform. He said his constituents' support for dissolving
Clermont "is coming through loud and clear," referring to a walk
through in the Lincoln Wood subdivision during his 2008 campaign trail.
The thought of dissolution has not only been raised by residents, some
council members have discussed the issue at various meetings when the town
was struggling to forecast the budget to pay for Wayne Township's fire
contract.
Hinkle told the Speedway Navigator that as of February 14, “HB 1341 has
a passage in it that addresses Clermont. However, the bill is not getting
a hearing. I have been told no hearings will be held on government reform
in the House this session.”
Clermont Council President Bob Hinshaw said he knew about outside discussions
to dissolve the town, but was unaware actual proposed legislation exist.
The proposed bill lets voters take an active role whether or not to abolish
their town by holding a public question in the 2010 general election. State
law already has provisions to dissolve included towns in IC 36-5-1.1. However, none of the town residents have spearheaded the initiative.
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