FAQ

A. To develop in a fair and equal manner, a plan of reorganization for the communities of White River Township and Greenwood that will create an efficient, effective, accountable and representative government.

Q. How is this different than an annexation?

A. An annexation can be either a voluntary (where the affected property owners agree to the annexation beforehand) or involuntary type. A city or town initiates an annexation process, notifies property owners, and conducts a public hearing on the proposed action. The annexation initiator must prepare a fiscal plan demonstrating the services to be provided and their costs. Opposition to an annexation requires an extensive legal process in which the remonstrator must comply with state statutes in the process of submitting their opposition to a court. The merger process is initiated when two units of government pass a common resolution to study the proposed merger. The intent of the merger is to unite them into one unit, thereby achieve a more efficient from of government. A group of local citizens, serving as volunteers, are assigned the task of studying the various aspects of the proposed merger. A written plan of reorganization is presented to the Greenwood City Council and White River Township Board. If approved by these two legislative bodies, it will be presented to the community in a series of public meetings. The plan defines what services will be provided to which part of the new community, the political representation to be provided, and the costs. Registered voters will make the final decision on the acceptability of the plan by casting their ballots on a referendum added to a normally scheduled election. In an annexation the citizens do not vote; they are able to express there opinions only in a public hearing.

Q. Who started this merger process (What group or individual)?

A. The merger process is authorized by Indiana State Statute 36-1.5. It was formally initiated by resolutions passed by both the White River Township Board and the City Council of Greenwood. This action authorized and funded a volunteer study group to gather information and write a plan of reorganization. That study must be completed within one year.

Q. How was the reorganization committee selected?

A. Three members of the Reorganization Committee were selected from the community by the White River Township Board. They are Paul Reed, Forrest Chambers, and Dale Tumey. Three members were selected by the Greenwood City Council. They are Pat Sherman, David Payne and Eric Kapke. One member was selected by the Mayor of Greenwood, and that is Don Handlin. They were selected as volunteers, serve with out pay, and charged with the responsibility of maintaining an open mind as to the limitations and opportunities a merger would present to the total new community.

Q. How were the sub-committee members selected?

A. The Reorganization Committee issued a public request for volunteers to serve on study subcommittees. Citizens of both Greenwood and White River Township, who responded to this invitation by submitting a resume, were selected by the Committee to serve on one of six subcommittees. These subcommittees are chaired and co-chaired by members of the Reorganization Committee.

Q. How do I provide suggestions or recommendations to the committee?

A. Any citizen wishing to provide suggestions or recommendations to the merger study can do so by contacting members of the Reorganization Committee at the e-mail addresses contained in this web site. It is also recommended that if possible you attend the by-monthly Committee meetings to ask your questions.

Q. Who is paying for this study?

A.Indiana Statute 36-1.5 states that the largest government unit by population engaged in the merger study (Greenwood) assumes primary responsibility to pay the expenses of the Reorganization Committee. The other government unit (WRT) will be billed a share of the expenses in proportion to its population upon completion of the study.

Q. How much will the study cost?

A.The Reorganization Committee has been authorized a budget of $20, 000 by the Greenwood City Council.

Q. How do I find out about what is being proposed?

A. Reorganization Committee meetings are normally held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. These are public meetings and the community is encouraged to attend. The meeting on the 1st Thursday is held at the Greenwood City Council chamber, and the meeting the third Thursday of each month is held at the Center Grove Administration Building on Stones Crossing Road. Please confirm specific dates on the web site.

10.

Q. What is the timing for this change, and how or when will it be approved?

A. Indiana Statute 36-1.5 states that the study must be completed within one year of the passing of resolutions which initiate the study. Those resolutions were passed in December 2008. The White River Township Board and Greenwood City Council approved study will generate a Plan of Reorganization and then a referendum will appear on the ballot in May, 2010 for the votes to decide its acceptance. If it is accepted, the merger will become effective July1, 2010.

11.

Q. Will the merger be forced upon me?

A. No. You will likely have more say in this decision than any other government decisions made by your representatives. When the Committee has completed its Plan for Merger, its first step in becoming a reality is it must be passed by a majority vote of the White River Township Board, and also passed by majority vote of the Greenwood City Council. If, and only if, it clears those hurdles, it goes to public referendum. Then both communities must each pass it in a majority vote. Essentially, you get to provide input, you get to hold your representatives accountable, and you get the final vote. Understanding that may help you to see that unless the Plan is a “win/win” for the two communities, it absolutely will never pass. Further, if the Plan is not crafted as a “win/win” there is no point in creating it in the first place.

12.

Q. Why would I want to be part of Greenwood?

A. If you live in the part of WRT that would merge with the City of Greenwood, you would not be a “part” of existing Greenwood. The merger results in a new municipality (that could be given any name) that is governed by new rules, new structure, new budgets and new elected and appointed officials. (Residents of current “old” Greenwood would also be residents of the new city.)

13.

Q. If a completely new city is what results from the merger, why is it going to be named “Greenwood”?

A. Present recommendations are to name the new city “Greenwood” to avoid (1) address confusion, (2) government costs for re-labeling assets that convey to the new city, (3) potential cost of address changes to residents and businesses and (4) the confusion and/or expenses to businesses that might already have “Greenwood” in the name of their business and on their signage.

14.

Q. Do we elect new officials as soon as the merger passes?

A. No. The Plan accounts for an interim, or transitional, period. In this period as the new governmental structures are being put into place and solidified, the Plan of Reorganization will recommend interim municipal officials, until new elections are held in the next normal election cycle. Within one election cycle, new officials will be put into office by the residents of the new municipality. Further, in the spirit of transition, some elements of the merger (such as board structures, or services provided) may blend in over a specified length of time before settling down to their final forms. Such blending and final forms are governed by the Plan.

15.

Q. What will my representation be in this new city if it is approved? (And how is this better than what I now have?)

A. The Governance Subcommittee is charged with the responsibility to study this issue. Their study is not completed at this time. It is anticipated that there will be a redistricting of city council representation, as well as an increase in the number of council members. Residents of the new community will be served by a full time Mayor, and have political representation on the city council via a council person elected from their voting district. Although they live in a community with all the urban characteristics of a city, the residents of unincorporated WRT are not represented in any city government at this time.

16.

Q. As a WRT resident, what will be better for me after a merger?

A. Although individual results cannot be predicted, here are a few of the benefits the planning committees foresee:

(1) You avoid future piecemeal annexation by the nearby cities of Greenwood and Bargersville, which will favor the commercial property, leaving nearly all your tax base burden on homeowners. In a new city, with a balance between residential and commercial, businesses paying taxes will also support your area’s services.

(2) You have more say in your community’s destiny; electing your own representatives to the new city council and holding them accountable for decisions that affect you. You will represent nearly half the city population.

(3) The new city will have expanded plans for road maintenance, parks development, and pathways construction that you do not currently have. These plans not only ensure action, but they are the only way to secure grants (funding mechanisms that do not impact local taxpayers.)

(4) Taxes you have paid in the past have all gone to the County Government, and some of it has come back to WRT. Post-merger, the proportion of your taxes that return to WRT (to support its service and infrastructure needs) will increase. Also see “Won’t it just raise everyone’s taxes?”

17.

Q. Won’t it just raise everyone’s taxes?

A. Final planning calculations are not in; but the planning committees are working hard to minimize this impact. For those already receiving city services, it is highly unlikely they would see any increase. For those desiring city services (as evidenced by their vote for the merger), such services do come with an incremental cost. A new city, of double size, won’t have double the operating costs, so the per capita taxes could go down. Further, grants are available to incorporated areas (and larger cities) that are not available otherwise—relieving some burdens on local taxpayers. Greenwood has one of the lowest city tax rates in the state. Through efficiency of scale in government, this may be further reduced.

18.

Q. As a Greenwood resident, what will be better for me after a merger?

A. Although individual results cannot be predicted, here are a few of the benefits the planning committees foresee:

(1) With an increased tax base, some tax relief may be had.

(2) The existing pathways network (including greenways and sidewalks) will grow larger, extending your pedestrian and cycling connections further westward.

(3) Being part of a much larger city will give us much better “pull” with state government when we have the need as a community, and better pricing with contractors that provide city services and costs.

(4) Your family will have new recreational opportunities as parks infrastructure is built up in the western part of the new city. Also see “Won’t it just raise everyone’s taxes”?

19.

Q. I don’t like the way Greenwood is run; why should I expect any different after I “become part of it”?

A. Again, it is a completely new municipality that results from the merger. Council representation will be distributed among all the areas of the new city. Members of appointed boards will come from all areas of the new city. The mix of leadership in the new municipality will not take long to look different from the mix that exists today.

20.

Q. Why do I need trails?

A. Planning for pathways provides for an interconnected network of sidewalks, trails, greenways, roadside pathways, pedestrian bridges, bike lanes and other connectors. Such a network serves a variety of ages and uses; from runners and other fitness buffs to retirees who simply desire an evening stroll. And in between it is used by cyclists of every age, families with baby strollers, and inline skaters. Pathways increase the self-reliance of non-drivers such as the disabled and children in getting themselves from where they are, to desirable community destinations. Pathways are a proven way to raise property values, build a sense of shared community, relieve traffic congestion (if people have the option of walking/cycling for short trips), improve health, decrease pollution and preserve green space. Further, they increase the safety of those already moving about the community on roads that do not have sidewalks or shoulders. With proper planning much of their construction can be accomplished without using local taxpayer funds – instead being funded by developers, and state and federal grants (the latter of which often covers 80% of the cost—multiplying the buying power of local taxpayer dollars used).

21.

Q. I heard that there will be a separate Pathways Board. Isn’t that just growing government?

A. There is currently a recommendation in place. It is deemed necessary because the present structure in the City of Greenwood (the only party to the merger with a Parks Board) is likely inadequate for a city of nearly double the population, greatly increased geography, and an area that, to-date, is completely under-served in terms of pathways. A separate board responsible for pathways ensures proper attention and focus on planning and construction. The cost of a separate board is insignificant, as most will be either voluntary or be compensated a minimal amount for travel and expenses.

22.

Q. Why do I need parks?

A. After setting aside the idea that communities need parks for family activities, green space preservation, and general recreation needs (and that there are consensus standards for how much parkland is needed based upon population), let’s consider the need of a married couple who says they don’t need parks anymore because they don’t have kids at home.. If they are empty-nesters, it is likely that within a few years they will have visiting grandchildren, and so they will once again become park users. Their perceived short term situation may not have actually met their long term needs. Further, most parks are built on land that is not usable for other purposes, and so it improves non-usable land and turns it into a community asset (at low cost) that gives young people in our city “something to do” in safe places that allow them to engage in healthy activities.

23.

Q. I heard the Parks Board was going to get larger. Isn’t that growing government?

A. Current recommendations are that the parks board will grow in the number of mayoral-appointed members from the existing 4 to 8, in order to distribute representation throughout the new community. In addition, the 3 applicable School Boards will be invited (as state law allows but has never been used locally) to appoint one member each. Such arrangements have been shown to enhance partnership opportunities that keep costs low for communities.

24.

Q. What will happen to Independence Park?

A. If the County decides it would like to remain responsible for the park, then it will. If, however, the County would like to transfer this community asset to the new city’s Parks Dept, then the new city will accept and maintain it (and plan for its future). In either case, it will remain open for use by all just as it is today.

25.

Q. My issue is Freedom Park. What will happen to that in terms of future construction and funding?

A. This issue is best left to the newly formed municipality, and its newly elected/appointed officials, to determine after a merger. Contributing to their deliberations will be a new Parks Master Plan for the full community, spirited public debate, and an assessment of needs. Any debt obligation on this park at the time of the transition will be the responsibility of the residence of “old Greenwood” and are not transferred to the new community.

26.

Q. Why will there be multiple areas in the new city, and what are the differences?

A. The Reorganization Committee has already recommended that there will be more than one service area. These service areas will have a different tax structure based on the different services provided. The study will therefore define where areas of the new community require and will benefit from the services a city can provide, and those areas where they will not.

27.

Q. What will be different if the merger is approved?

A. The Reorganization Plan will define a time line and the level of services the several areas of the new community will receive. The rural areas may see very little or no change at all in services and taxes, based on the results of the study. The more urban areas will experience a transition in which they will see more city services available. Associated with these services will be an incremental city tax on their real estate tax bill.

28.

Q. How much will this cost – what is the impact on my property taxes?

A. The Finance Subcommittee is charged with the task of estimating what, if any, these changes would be. That study is not complete at this time, but many dedicated hours of hard work are being donated to be sure that a correct and validated answer is being developed.

29.

Q. What effect will this have on the schools?

A. The merger will have no effect on existing school districts.

30.

Q. Will there be any changes to my fire protection?

A. Fire districts may remain the same. However, the merger does offer the opportunity for the White River Township and Greenwood Fire departments to consider merging as well. If this option is executed, residents of both WRT and Greenwood could expect some benefits.

31.

Q. Will any of my utility providers change? (electric, water, cable, telephone, etc.).

A. Utility franchise areas are independent of municipal boundaries. However, in some cases, being part of the new city may eventually allow you to, for example, have access to city sewers (vs. septic) or to city trash pick up (vs. private contractor).

32.

Q. Will my mailing address change?

A. No. Mailing addresses are set by the US Postal Service and are associated with the delivering post office. Most residents of the affected area already have Greenwood mailing addresses. Those who do have a Bargersville address would retain them. Although there is a mechanism for changing them, the new municipality would have no interest in the expense imposed by the federal government process for such a change, nor any interest in disturbing the mailing addresses of residents comfortable with the addresses they have.

33.

Q. Why don’t we self incorporate?

A. Self incorporation is a possible option for the more densely populated area of White River Township. It is however a more costly and time consuming process than the merger. Citizens who favor this option are encouraged to study the state statutes and form their own opinion, and take appropriate action if the merger is unsuccessful.

34.

Q. Will I still pay County and Township taxes?

A. Residents of both incorporated and unincorporated areas of Johnson County pay county real estate taxes. This will not change with a merger, but we do anticipate an incremental County tax rate decrease to reflect the lower demand for County services in the area. However, the merger may eliminate Township government in White River Township and may therefore eliminate a Township tax rate from the tax bill. The Reorganization committee will make recommendations as how, and by whom, will the services normally provided by the Township be provided. That government unit could increase its tax rate to provide those services.

35.

Q. What happens if things just stay the way they are?

A. If no changes are made in the current governance situation of White River Township, residents can expect the following to evolve over time:

i. Without the services found in an urban area, property values will decline as surrounding areas with these services are found to be more desirable places to live.

ii. Without the more community focused form of political representation found in a city, the needs of this urban area will continue to be only partially served by a county government system.

iii. Without a city government structure, there will remain an absence of urban services such as trash pickup, road maintenance will remain at current levels, and parks and recreation will be extremely limited. These factors will also cause a decline in property values.

iv. Without the planning and zoning control of a city or town, the orderly growth of a balanced residential, commercial, and industrial base will be lost, and this too will contribute to declining property values.

36.

Q. Who is eligible to vote on the reorganization question?

A. All registered voters in the city of Greenwood and in White River Township are eligible to vote on the reorganization question.

37.

Q. What happens to the duties of the current township elected officials?

A. The reorganization will eliminate Township government positions. The current responsibility of the township government is to provide maintenance to abandoned cemeteries and assistance to the financial stressed. The transfer of these responsibilities to another unit of government will be addressed by the Reorganization Committee study effort.

White River Township / City of Greenwood Reorganization Committee

per I.C. 36-1.5 - Government Modernization