Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Reorganization topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Middletown, Fall Creek Township officials hold informational meeting on proposed merger
Summary
Officials from Middletown and Fall Creek Township met June 17, 2019, to outline a proposed merger that would dissolve both governments and reorganize them as one; consultants estimated advisory fees of $20,000–$25,000 and a follow-up meeting was set for July 9, 2019.
Middletown and Fall Creek Township officials held an informational meeting on June 17, 2019, to outline a proposed municipal merger and next steps, organizers said. No votes were taken at the session, which was convened to explain process, timelines and estimated costs.
Kyle Hall, a Fall Creek Township participant introduced by Steve Thompson, described the proposal as a dissolution of both governments followed by a reorganization as one entity and characterized the session as an "information" meeting with "no voting on any measures." Joel Harvey, the attorney representing both the Town and the Township, said the process would include an extended period to develop a reorganization plan and would culminate in referendum votes in both the Town and the Township; the minutes record a stated threshold that a minimum of 51 percent of residents in each entity must vote for approval.
Paige Sansone, CPA with Bakertilly Municipal Advisors, outlined early steps she recommended: adoption of resolutions of intent by both entities, drafting a mission statement, and forming a reorganization committee with subcommittees for police, cemeteries, fire services, parks, township assistance, streets and roads, EMS, governance/wards and finance. She estimated Bakertilly's advisory fees would be between $20,000 and $25,000 on a time-and-expense basis, excluding legal fees; the minutes note that attorney Joel Harvey will provide a separate estimate for legal costs.
Peggy Stefandel, County Councilor, urged that funding be secured before the process begins, warning that “expenses can get way out of hand once commitments are made,” according to the minutes. Several rural residents raised concerns that a merger could result in pooling of funds that might require rural taxpayers to cover urban sewer repairs; meeting organizers responded that expenses specific to the Town would remain the responsibility of Town taxpayers.
Attendees agreed to consider forming the recommended committees and scheduled a follow-up meeting for Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at 6:00 P.M. in the training room at the Middletown Municipal Building. The minutes record that the meeting was adjourned after participants described the session as informative. The written minutes end with a Clerk Treasurer signature line; no name for the Clerk Treasurer is specified in the record.
The meeting was informational only; any formal reorganization would require further planning, legal review and the referendum votes described by the attorney.
