Senate Bill 506, co-authored by Sen. Connie Lawson (R-Danville), would require counties to hold a public hearing and decide within the first two-weeks of November of this year how to streamline local government and provide efficiencies to their communities. 

"Lawmakers understand that one size does not always fit all," Lawson said. "Providing all counties with this specific two-week window allows ample time for research and public input on what option best fits each Hoosier community."

Lawson's legislation requires county legislative bodies, except Lake and Marion counties, to adopt a resolution between Oct. 31, 2009 and Nov. 15, 2009 that either:

• Selects a single-county chief executive officer in charge of all executive powers and duties for the county and a strengthened county council with legislative and fiscal powers and duties of the county;
• Selects a board of county supervisors - comprised of combined executive, legislative and fiscal bodies - responsible for all executive, legislative and fiscal powers and duties of the county; or
• Selects to have a public referendum in 2010 allowing voters to decide on one of these two options.

Lawson said many Hoosiers support the reform recommendations and hope lawmakers will work together to eliminate Indiana's overlapping layers of government that often confuse citizens and make accountability difficult.

According to Lawson, SB 506 includes additional key proposals that supporters hope will help streamline and improve efficiencies in local governments, including:

• Requiring all county assessors, except in Marion County, to be appointed after Dec. 31, 2012;
• Requiring an individual employed as a county manager to attain training from the International City/County Management Association;
• Requiring the state to establish an office of local technical assistance to promote and assist with fiscal management and operational practices in local governments; and
• Requiring the Indiana Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to create minimum professional qualifications and performance standards for elected officials; best practice standards for the conduct of county government; and conduct a performance audit of county government and report recommendations and results to the Office of Management and Budget and Legislative Council.

Lawson's bill now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.

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