A council member at the Ellettsville Town Council meeting leveled a forceful criticism of the Monroe County commissioners for posting notice they intended to expand a fire territory or fire district and said the action risked undermining the town's public reorganization process.

"I think it's very irresponsible for the commissioners to give us a 3 day notice...This is trying to be a hostile takeover of what we're doing and to put a roadblock in for reorganization," Speaker 3 said, urging Richland Township residents to pay attention to the commissioners' plans and warning that a county-initiated fire district could increase taxes without delivering additional services.

Speaker 3 contrasted the county's quick notice with the town's reorganization process, which the speaker said involved multiple meetings, public input and ballot measures. The speaker also thanked the county council (distinct from the commissioners) for curbing what the speaker described as overreach by the commissioners but said the matter would only make the town "double down" on its reorganization efforts.

There was no county official present to respond during the meeting, and no council motion or vote followed from the remarks. The meeting proceeded to other business and then adjourned.

The comments were made during council closing remarks and reflect a dispute between the town's leadership and county commissioners about the governance of local fire protection and the timing and method of any change to fire service boundaries.