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Commissioners reject proposed changes to three township fire boards after public tax concerns
Summary
The Floyd County commissioners on Jan. 21 declined three proposed ordinance amendments to reduce fire-district board sizes and standardize governance after President Al Knable said he wanted more public input; residents during public comment warned the changes could sharply raise local taxes.
The Floyd County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 21 rejected motions to amend creating documents for the New Albany, Highlander and Georgetown fire districts after President Al Knable opposed the measures and asked for more public engagement.
Attorney Kristi Fox presented three items—FCO 2025-05, FCO 2025-06 and FCO 2025-07—that would have reduced board membership and required districts to post agendas and provide email addresses for members. Each motion was moved and seconded but failed when Al Knable recorded opposition. "I would like to have more public input before voting for the Ordinances," Al Knable said during the discussion.
The proposals drew sustained public comment from Franklin Township and Georgetown residents during the meeting's public-comment period. Franklin Township resident Guy Heitkemper said current contracted services run as low as $8,000 and warned that conversion to a fire territory could dramatically increase local taxes; another resident, Donna Hublar, cited run counts and a proposed jump in rates. Dale Mann told commissioners the change felt imposed, saying, "Franklin Township is being taken over by dictators." These figures and characterizations were presented by residents and framed by speakers as their assessments rather than as board findings.
Commissioners described the ordinance changes as governance and operational adjustments rather than changes to service providers. Attorney Fox explained the amendments would standardize meeting frequency and public-posting practices and align board sizes at five members; she said the districts would follow Indiana Code requirements if they became a fire-protection territory. No formal action to create a fire territory occurred at the meeting; the board indicated additional public meetings will be held to solicit input before any future vote.
