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Proposal to merge Richland Township and Ellettsville would form one government starting Jan. 1, 2027 if voters approve
Summary
A June 10 presentation of a Baker Tilly fiscal analysis outlined a proposal to combine Richland Township and the Town of Ellettsville into a single town government with a seven‑member board, an estimated reorganized budget of $11.3 million, and projected tax‑rate effects; residents raised concerns about higher budgets and service changes.
Senior consultant Bridal Scruggs presented a Baker Tilly fiscal impact analysis on June 10 that proposes Richland Township join the Town of Ellettsville to create a single, unified government if voters approve the plan in November. The reorganization would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, and the new entity would have a seven‑member governing board with representation from both the township and town.
Scruggs described expected administrative consolidation, a combined budget estimated at $11,300,000 and an initial plan for two districts—an urban district covering Ellettsville city limits and a rural district covering areas outside the town. She said township services would be transitioned to the town and that the entities would retain existing debts.
The analysis projected a near 7% tax‑rate increase for Richland Township and about a 4% increase for Ellettsville, though Scruggs noted property‑tax caps mean some properties would not see the full increase. Town attorney Darla Brown said Richland Township would be absorbed except for a small corner that Bloomington would annex.
During public comment, Richland Township resident Harry Farris urged the committee to avoid a tax increase; council member William Ellis said the increase would support expanded services. Ellettsville resident Anna Bednarski expressed concern about the nearly $3 million increase from the current combined budgets (reported in the meeting as $8,400,000 combined today to about $11,300,000 under reorganization) and questioned whether expanded police and fire budgets justified the change.
The reorganization committee scheduled a final public hearing for June 22.
