As we reported in our last report, a subgroup within GUO is continuing to investigate the feasibility of forming our own town as a means to permanently thwart annexation attempts and to better control our own destiny as a community.
Some of the activities we’ve recently undertaken include:
- Meeting with the Indiana Association of Cities & Towns; the Association is more than willing to help us with the overall process and has provided initial guidance.
- Meeting with nearby fire departments to discuss the provision of fire and EMS protection for the new town-how that would work and how much it might cost; those departments are most interested in providing these services.
- Hamilton County has agreed in principal to continue to provide police and road/street services through an inter-governmental agreement.
- Pulling together a budget-with the help of IAC&T, Hamilton County, and nearby towns-to determine the full financial cost of establishing and running a town, including the all important tax requirements (i.e., while preliminary estimates show that the property tax increase would be significantly less than if we were to be annexed by Fishers, we need to know much more precisely in order to determine whether forming a town would be in the best economic interests of our property owners).
It is important to note that this process is still in its initial stages and there are lots of questions yet to be answered, including what the precise boundaries of the town might be. As the details are worked out over the next few months, we will do our best to provide everyone with the information. If it continues to appear that this is a good idea (i.e., economically attractive and functionally feasible), we will hold a series of meetings with area property owners to answer questions and gain additional feedback.
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April 13, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Gary Leinbach
I’m concerned about the financial impact that changing Fire Departments may bring. For example if some of us get switched to McCordsville Volunteer our insurance will shoot up. Does this justify the off set of taxes and do I really want to worry if the volunteers are close enough to the fire station to ge to the truck then get to my home. My home is a modest home, however being in the insurance business I know the impact that this will have on Springs of Cambridge and Canal place and any other home of larger value. We all better look into the cost on that side too.
Thanks
April 17, 2007 at 8:26 am
Anonymous
Fishers Fire Dept would continue the contract to provide fire protection
April 23, 2007 at 1:28 pm
garyleinbach
They actually said no
April 24, 2007 at 6:20 am
Anonymous
If the Fishers Fire Dept actually refuses to provide fire service if the Geist area incorporates then it is because Faultless threatened them. Maybe the County Commissioners and the Stae Fire Marshall should look into this.
April 24, 2007 at 8:08 am
Anonymous
By State Code Fall Creek Township must provide fire protection.
April 24, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Anonymous
Thanks to Geist underpaying for their fire protection, Fall Creek Township no longer owns the fire department.
April 24, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Anonymous
Not really, the rates keep going up, it’s what happens when there is no competition for fire protection and a weak board.
April 24, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Anonymous
It’s already been pointed out that McCordsville could provide fire protection. Sounds like competition to me. Or maybe the “Geist Volunteer Fire Dept.” is the answer. THAT would be fun to watch…
April 26, 2007 at 6:54 am
garyleinbach
Since the contract is based on assessed value and not an actual “subjective” contract, I find it difficult to understand why you would call the board weak.
McCordsville is an option to fire, but our Insurance rates would go up 10-20 percent. Is this worth not being with Fishers Fire. Also what is this anonymous crap, Grow a set!!!
April 27, 2007 at 9:30 am
garyleinbach
Since the contract is based on assessed value and not an actual “subjective” contract, I find it difficult to understand why you would call the board weak.
McCordsville is an option to fire, but our Insurance rates would go up 10-20 percent. Is this worth not being with Fishers Fire. Also what is this anonymous crap, Grow a set!!!