Wabash Township officials urge council to approve public-safety LIT distribution as development accelerates

WABASH TOWNSHIP — Wabash Township Trustee Angel Valentin told the Malawithia common council at a public hearing that the township—s fire department needs a distribution from the county—s public-safety local income tax (LIT) to cover state-mandated radio upgrades, an air-pack replacement and ambulances as the township—s population grows.

Valentin said, "This is our third year that we're requesting funds from the public safety LIT," and outlined that the LIT fund "provides about 11 and a half million dollars" annually and that units must apply by Sept. 1 under state rules. He said Wabash Township faces fast growth and equipment needs tied to an expected 55% population increase through the early 2030s and roughly 4,800 new housing units in the township's service area.

The request—s nut graf: The public hearing highlighted competing claims about how LIT dollars should be distributed. Township officials said residents of unincorporated areas have paid into the public-safety tax but received no share; city and county officials said the LIT distributions support existing municipal public-safety obligations and warned reallocating funds could reduce resources available for city services.

What officials said - Angel Valentin, Wabash Township Trustee,…