By far the largest group of elected officials in Indiana, township trustees govern 1,000 townships covering every part of the state. Like most elected officials, the township trustee serves a four-year term.
Many township trustees work at other jobs in addition to serving their constituents.
Serving compact areas (some townships occupy only twelve square miles) allows trustees many times to know most of their constituents personally. This gives them the advantage of being better able to access the needs of their clients than would be other officials.
Assisting the township trustee in managing this very localized form of government is a three-member township board. Among its duties are the adoption of the annual budget, serving as a board of finance, and approving township contracts.
Indiana law requires the township trustees to 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 individuals in an emergency.
Township Trustees, by Indiana law, are charged with the following responsibilities per the Indiana Code:
- Fire Protection (IC 36-8)
- Township Assistance (Title 2 of Indiana code)
- Financials (State Board of Accounts and Department of Local Government Finance)
- Burial of the indigent (Title 12 of Indiana code)
- Cemetery Maintenance (IC 23-14)