Senate approves bill allowing Cumberland to exit Unigov; debate highlights concerns about taxes and representation

The Senate on March 24 passed House Bill 11-31, which would allow the town of Cumberland to be excluded from the 1970 Unigov consolidation of Marion County and Indianapolis. Supporters said the town has grown and that exclusion will put local services and permitting closer to residents.

Sen. Kreider, presenting the bill, said Cumberland has expanded into Hancock County and now has more than 6,500 residents; he described lengthy prefiling work with town officials and county fiscal advisers to address debt transfers and taxing‑unit transitions. "The town of Cumberland has existed. They've got a street department, a police department, all of the things that you would have," Kreider said, and the bill provides for transfers to be handled by the Department of Local Government Finance.

The measure drew a forceful response from Sen. Taylor, who called the change "a perfect example of why we need to get rid of Unigov" and warned that excluded towns gain additional local representation and influence in Marion County government. "They get 2 shots at the apple in a city that some of my constituents only get 1 shot," Taylor said, urging colleagues to consider countywide impacts.

Sen. Freeman and others spoke about the practical aspects of local governance and said they would support the bill while noting larger questions about Unigov's structure. After debate the roll call showed 43 ayes and 4 noes; the bill passed and will be reported to the House of Representatives.