Trustee's Office

Published on Tuesday, 24 May 2011 09:21 Written by Gus Pearcy Hits: 976

Category: Trustee's Office

Township Trustee's Office

Like most elected officials, the Township Trustee serves a four year term, beginning January 1 after the election and continuing until a successor is elected and qualified. A township trustee shall be elected under IC 3-10-2-13 by the voters of each township. The township trustee must reside within the township as provided in Article 6, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. The trustee forfeits office if the trustee ceases to be a resident of the township.

Assisting the Township Trustee in managing this form of local government is a three member Township Board, elected under IC 3-10-2-13 by the voters of the Township. The Board members also serve four year terms. Among the Board's duties are the adoption of the annual budget, examination and approval the annual report, making appropriations and establishing tax rates and levies.

Indiana law requires that the Township Trustees provide essential services to the residents and businesses of the Township. Because of its "grassroots" structure, the Township Trustee system is designed specifically to quickly meet the needs of the individual in an emergency.

The Washington Township Trustee is responsible by law for the following:

1. Keep a written record of official proceedings.
2. Maintain a general account showing the total of all township receipts and expenditures.
3. Maintain the financial and appropriation record of the township, which must include an itemized and accurate account of the township's financial affairs..
4. Manage all township property interests.
5. Keep township records open for public inspection.
6. Attend all meetings of the township legislative body.
7. Receive and pay out township funds.
8. Examine and settle all accounts and demands chargeable against the township.
9. Administer township assistance under IC 12-20 and IC 12-30-4.
10. Perform the duties of fence viewer under IC 32-26.
11. Provide and maintain cemeteries under IC 23-14.
12. Provide fire protection under IC 36-8.
13. File an annual personnel report under IC 5-11-13.
14. Provide and maintain township parks and community centers under IC 36-10.
15. Destroy detrimental plants, noxious weeds, and rank vegetation under IC 15-16-8.
16. Provide insulin to the poor under IC 12-20-16.
17. Perform other duties prescribed by statute.

State law also gives the Washington Township Trustee the following powers:

1. Administer oaths when necessary in the discharge of official duties.
2. Appoint an attorney to represent the township in any proceeding in which the township is interested.
3. Enter into certain oil and gas leases of township property under IC 36-9.
4. Personally use a township vehicle for the performance of official duties, but only if the use is authorized by the township legislative body.
5. Exercise other powers granted by statute.

 

Details of some of these duties and responsibilities are as follows:

 

Financials

Each year, the Trustee prepares and submits a budget for the incoming year to the three-person township board for approval. As the Chief Financial Officer of the township, the Trustee pays and records all claims for the township expenses and salaries and is responsible to keep accurate records and follow all the financial guidelines (IC 36-6).

In January of each year, the Trustee presents to the board an annual report which shows all receipts, expenditures, investments and debts. The approved report is then published in local papers for public inspection.

 

Township Assistance

Overseeing the poor and distributing township assistance is a primary duty in many townships. The Trustee is charged to care for the poor by the most economical means available and at the same time is charged to be sure that the necessary needs of an individual or family are met. The applicant must show that they are unable to provide those needs through personal effort and that they have exhausted all other means.

Many Trustees creatively cooperate with other agencies and churches in their areas, keeping costs controlled and delivering services needed. The advantage the Trustee system has over other forms of welfare is the freedom to discern whether or not an individual has, and is willing to, put forth that personal effort to help themselves IC Title 12.

 

Fence Disputes

When a dispute arises between two land owners regarding placement and maintenance of fence lines, the Trustee is to make determination according to IC 32-26.

Requests for resolution may be filed in writing to the Township Trustee's Office.

 

Cemetery Maintenance

According to IC 23-14, the trustee is to provide and maintain cemeteries located in the township, including those cemeteries which have been abandoned.

Washington Township has 5 cemeteries under its care: Abner Creek, Barlow, North Lawn, Gossett, and Old Salem. Bids are sought annually for the maintenance of these cemeteries, usually in the month of March each year, for that mowing season.

 

Fire Protection

Township Trustees are, by Indiana law, charged with the responsibility of providing fire protection 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 (IC 36-8).

Washington Township operates its own Fire Department with three stations. Please visit the Fire Department's website for more information.

 

Parks and Recreation

Washington Township has over 200 acres of land that it maintains. Please visit the Parks Department's website for more information.

Weed Control

IC 15-16-8 charges the trustee with destroying detrimental weeds within their township. Guidelines for notification to the property owner are set within the law.

Download or view the Instructions and Information for Weed Control here.