The Local Government Efficiency and Financing Study Commission was created through Public Law 64 (House Enrolled Act 1005), which was passed by the Indiana General Assembly earlier this year. The group consists of 23 members appointed by Bauer, Gov. Joe Kernan and Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Garton (R-Columbus).
Bauer's appointments to the commission are:
"This commission has several charges, many of which are designed around ways to reduce government waste and inefficiency," Bauer said. "Primarily, it will look at the financing and structure of local government and the methods in which it provides services to the public, with an eye toward ways to streamline those services. Those studies should include merging and consolidation of operations."
The commission also will consider creation of local charter governments and restructuring municipal corporations. It will examine efforts by the city of Fort Wayne and Allen County to restructure municipal and county government, as well as a restructuring study conducted by Vanderburgh County.
"As we look at ways to make sure that Indiana taxpayers are getting the maximum efficiency for their tax dollars, it is important that we consider whether there are operations that are being duplicated or are even unnecessary to serve the needs of the public," Bauer said.
"By removing layers of bureaucracy, we will help local governments better serve the public and reduce the reliance on property taxes as a primary means of funding services," he continued. "I will be very interested to chart the progress of this commission as it continues its study, and I am hopeful that it will have recommendations that can be acted upon by the Legislature as early as the 2005 session."