[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6506282,"mediaKeyId","5806390-bf9fb5bad938379b0a5fbffe0e10b35e","parentId",5806390,"title","Township trustees warn new state tax laws could cut local services, urge county help","audioSeconds",685,"startMs",825000,"endMs",1510000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5806390-bf9fb5bad938379b0a5fbffe0e10b35e&start=825&end=1510","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5806390-bf9fb5bad938379b0a5fbffe0e10b35e/thumbnail_825000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6506282/Kosciusko-County/Indiana/Township-trustees-warn-new-state-tax-laws-could-cut-local-services-urge-county-help","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506282-faf67a00d72234430478a6a187160b82/orig.mp4?Expires=1771107972&Signature=hoQMtnqVtdFySZVE6trANi~scPP4U8iWIevkXwwRrKzG45TFONfRM4Qo8XCd3hPOIKhAvAd5lT0~8-Rs5KUBsb4Zp-C7-U5IqOk7SIPRQi8rY~ym3DtGNck9lb-0ugY8tXaw1tvgxLFs33C7hEz5sKsfOBpNqv~8-~9ICKJWlcfhgyv1SjfirS89HjEhs8t8TtvT3qUIeuzYfqTG6NrJO0T5njRoVmMFBByZ~9H7rw7oebMI8NXVhmaMlE226B6sc3tRXO6sWmQmSB~yOMFVFGckbhmvcycD-zY6f0ORj9jruIyZ-~Ne9mD5q71wQQmJ8GWDKW8wy58a4JKwIVCsrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kosciusko County, IN","date","2025-08-15T00:00:00Z","article","Julia (last name not specified) and about 17 township trustees addressed the Kosciusko County Council to describe how recent state legislation will affect township finances and services.

The trustees said Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 1461 will alter local income tax distribution, impose levy growth caps, and require new capital planning and transfers that could reduce township revenues. Julia said townships statewide face a projected annual loss of $25,500,000 by 2028 due to the combination of deductions, levy growth caps and the change to local income tax distribution. She said the local income tax (LIT) changes are not effective until Jan. 1, 2028, and that county councils will have sole authority to approve LIT rates after that date; townships could receive up to 0.2% of LIT revenue only at county-council discretion.

On House Bill 1461, the trustees said townships must adopt a capital improvement plan (CIP) starting Sept. 30, 2025, and face a mandatory transfer beginning Jan. 1, 2027: 30% of the amount by which unrestricted fund balances exceed the next year's budget must be moved into a new township roads and infrastructure fund. Township leaders said guidance from the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) and the State Board of Accounts has been inconsistent on whether CIPs must be advertised or whether the county council must receive the CIP, leaving trustees uncertain about compliance.

Trustees warned the rules could force difficult choices for local services such as volunteer fire departments, cemetery preservation and community programming. Julia said the new rules will affect newly created fire territories (capped at $0.40 per $100 of assessed value for territories created after Dec. 31, 2024) and that some townships are concerned about losing LIT distributions they now use to fund services. She said the township association plans to return to the county in July 2027 with a resolution seeking a share of LIT funds unless state action changes.

Council members acknowledged the trustees’ concerns and said county officials and associations are discussing possible responses at the state level.

Ending

Trustees urged residents to contact legislators about the bills and said they are working with the Indiana Township Association and local accounting partners to prepare CIPs and other compliance steps ahead of the 2027 transfers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting 8/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Township trustees told the Kosciusko County Council that changes in state law — including Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 1461 — will reduce township revenues, require new capital improvement plans and force transfers of reserves to a new roads and infrastructure fund starting in 2027.","taxTitle","Kosciusko County, Indiana","taxId",51037,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506288,"County council approves budget transfers, pays for new voting machines and OKs public defender funding",407,11000,418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5806390-bf9fb5bad938379b0a5fbffe0e10b35e&start=11&end=418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5806390-bf9fb5bad938379b0a5fbffe0e10b35e/thumbnail_11000.jpg","/articles/6506288/Kosciusko-County/Indiana/County-council-approves-budget-transfers-pays-for-new-voting-machines-and-OKs-public-defender-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506288-6419807b2da31cca17a04498bf792365/orig.mp4?Expires=1771107972&Signature=IoqWKsQZIcWQ1qOUIHY04eQEX0ec7z5giFR~AX-iwkh6nRUqJmZi~ZdOpo1oXWor5OlBejAPa0wunzjhGC1heaVVuyiASwbpXTYgtTbK~LYXt5CSZkqtZWeR3VuHfpyo4Mox1kV~Y-kXk1zv4VT-4la5SKl8xU--VApWX8wpsz12s~MwKc45~yBrtv7OHIgScDWe0NfZfmIeUNdXmeoi3nu30wXm7cWZkVmOeVmLMUtO4UuWgZ2XCLGYFeyjtVoVI98OSVcUg3jWhgIG8hyR3iRn5-WUfdJ~i~0AeiBA-HixEXr1eDrNhdW5Eo55sfhtZebxxq16X1VJ0oEuQh6Kjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kosciusko County Council on Thursday approved multiple interfund transfers and appropriations and authorized payment for 200 new voting machines, the council said during its meeting.

Council members approved several transfers presented by county staff. Auditor/finance staff (identified in testimony as Michelle) sought $5,000 transfers from county general fund accounts to cover work-release and sheriff overtime needs, a $3,000 transfer between other accounts, and a $15,000 transfer within the sheriff’s budget to cover costs tied to a recently approved mechanic position. The transfers were approved by motion; Kathy moved, Kim seconded, and the council voted to approve.

The council also approved a transfer of $219,797 from miscellaneous accounts to the county’s voting-equipment account so the county could pay the remaining balance on 200 newly received voting machines. Elections staff (Melissa) said the county had received 200 machines and planned a demonstration for council members early next year. The motion to fund the voting machines was moved by Lehi and seconded by Joe and carried by voice vote.

Jack Birch of the public defender’s office requested two budget adjustments. First, he sought a transfer of $26,000 from a $44,000 investigator line to cover supplies, books, court reporters and similar operating needs; he said the office never hired the investigator the original budget assumed. Second, Birch requested an additional appropriation from the general fund to pay five part‑time contract attorneys, which he said must be paid from the general fund under applicable statute and guidance. Birch described the second request as a large appropriation; the exact figure for that additional appropriation was described as “a big number” at the meeting and was not stated in the public remarks. Both public-defender requests were approved after motions on the floor.

Other routine items approved: the minutes from the prior meeting (a voice vote with Councilmember Dylan recorded as abstaining because he was absent from the prior meeting), committee updates and the consent to several smaller transfers that staff described as encumbrances from last year being applied to current purchases.

Council members did not change tax rates or adopt any new ordinances during the portions of the meeting that addressed transfers and appropriations; all votes described above were recorded as passed by voice vote or unanimous sign, with individual abstentions noted when stated.

Ending

Finance staff said the county will demonstrate the new voting equipment for council members so they can see the updated interfaces, and public-defender staff said the office plans to include the newly appropriated funding needs in next year’s budget. The meeting moved on to other agenda items after the budget votes.","Kosciusko County Council approved several interfund transfers including payment for new voting machines, appropriations to cover sheriff and public defender needs, and other routine budget moves during its meeting. Motions passed by voice vote; an abstention was recorded for the minutes approval.","actionData","errors"]

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Township trustees warn new state tax laws could cut local services, urge county help

County council approves budget transfers, pays for new voting machines and OKs public defender funding