Tanner Resch
Susan Barlow
Deidre Wagster
Jacob Maschino| 2024 | |||
In Indiana, township trustees are the backbone of local government. They hold the title of the state's largest elected official group, overseeing 1,008 townships across the entire state.
Elected to a four-year term, Township Trustees demonstrate a commitment to their communities. Many choose to dedicate themselves to public service alongside their primary professions. These officials ensure the provision of vital services to residents in unincorporated areas (those outside of cities and towns). This includes fire protection and ambulance services for emergencies, Township Assistance programs offering aid to residents facing financial hardship, and burial assistance for those with no other means of securing a dignified final resting place. Additionally, Township Trustees oversee the maintenance of abandoned cemeteries within the township and implement proactive weed control measures to safeguard public health and property.
As Chief Financial Officer of the township, the Trustee oversees essential financial functions. This includes preparing annual budgets that allocate resources effectively, managing all township financial transactions and maintaining accurate records, and presenting yearly reports on the township's financial health for public transparency. To ensure responsible governance, Township Trustees collaborate with a three-member Township Board, which plays a critical role in approving township contracts and managing finances.
The Township Trustee system is a testament to Indiana's commitment to responsive and efficient local government. By providing essential services and managing township finances responsibly, Trustees empower their communities to thrive.
The township trustee assumes the critical role of Chief Financial Officer. Each year, the trustee prepares a budget for the upcoming year, outlining anticipated expenses and income. This budget is submitted to a three-member township board for approval. Once approved, the trustee takes responsibility for managing all township funds. This includes paying bills for township expenses and employee salaries, meticulously recording all financial transactions, and ensuring strict adherence to Indiana's financial regulations. To maintain transparency, the trustee presents a comprehensive annual report to the board in January. This report details all township finances, including income, spending, investments, and any outstanding debts. For public accessibility, the approved report is then published in local newspapers.
Township AssistanceTownship trustees play a vital role in our community by assisting those facing financial hardship. Their primary responsibility is to provide essential support to individuals and families in need, while also ensuring responsible use of public funds.
Trustees strive to find the most economical solutions while fulfilling the necessary needs of each applicant. Aid is only provided after it's been established that the individual has exhausted all other options and is genuinely unable to meet their basic needs through personal means.
Many trustees go beyond simply distributing resources. They work creatively with local organizations and churches, forging partnerships that expand the scope of available services while keeping costs controlled.
One of the key advantages of the township system is the ability to assess an applicant's willingness and capacity for self-sufficiency. This allows trustees to tailor support in a way that encourages individual effort alongside providing immediate assistance.
Source: Indiana Code Title 12
Fire ProtectionTownship Trustees are, by Indiana law, charged with the responsibility of providing protection and ambulance service for the areas of the township not incorporated into a city or town. The protection can be provided by contracting with various fire departments, operating a Township Fire Department, or a combination of both.
Source: Indiana Code 36-8
BurialsBurial assistance is available from the Township Trustee when no other means of payment are available. The trustee, according to Indiana Code Title 12, is to oversee the burial of the indigent.
Cemetery MaintenanceAccording to Indiana Code 23-14 the trustee is to provide and maintain cemeteries located in the township. This includes those cemeteries which have been abandoned.
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