Floyd County commissioners advance changes to three township fire-district bylaws amid public concern

Floyd County commissioners unanimously advanced three ordinances on first reading that would change governance rules for New Albany Township Fire District, Highlander Fire District and the Georgetown Township Fire District.

Under the proposed ordinances—Floyd County Ordinance 20 25 0 5, 20 25 0 6 and 20 25 0 7—the districts’ boards would be reduced to five members (Highlander from nine, the others from seven), required to meet monthly unless they become part of a fire protection territory and required to provide an email address for each trustee, with agendas posted to the district website and social media in addition to statutorily required public notices.

Supporters of the changes and the commissioners said the amendments are intended to streamline governance and improve transparency online. County Attorney Christie Fox explained the posting and email requirements as part of the text of the amendments the board was considering.

Opponents in the public comment period said the governance changes risked being imposed without adequate local input and could be tied to broader moves toward forming fire territories or districts that would raise local tax rates. Sheldon Schafer, a Franklin Township resident, asked commissioners to consider continuing contract fire services rather than forming a new standalone district, saying such contracts could be “mutually beneficial.”

Donna Hubler of Franklin Township told the commissioners she had asked for run counts and budget details and said the township advisory committee had voted against moving to a territory. Hubler said she was concerned about the effect on township residents and the timing of the proposal.

Commissioners discussed procedure as much as policy. One commissioner said publicly that he would not vote to finalize the changes at the meeting, preferring more public input; other commissioners moved the ordinances forward as first readings so the items would appear for a second reading at the next meeting, allowing additional public comment before a final vote.

The board did not adopt final ordinances at this meeting; commissioners set a second reading for the next regular meeting so that the affected districts and residents could offer more feedback.

Public comment at the meeting focused heavily on fiscal impacts and process. Resident Guy Heit Kemper, speaking for Franklin Township, said the township had contracted for services historically and questioned whether a territory or district would benefit a largely rural area. Other residents described projected tax changes they said would be significant for small rural households and farmland owners.

The commission’s next regular meeting was scheduled in the agenda; the proposed ordinances will return for a second reading, at which point a final vote could be taken.