Kernan Disappointed At Legislators Delay On Ammendments

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(INDIANAPOLIS) - A crash in Carmel which killed four people could become an emotional talking point in the debate over local government reform.

Former Governor Joe Kernan and Chief Justice Randall Shepard co-chaired the commission which released 27 proposals for streamlining local government last December, including taking 911 dispatch centers countywide. Four days later, a Carmel woman and her three daughters drowned after crashing into a retention pond.

Kernan says her initial 911 call was routed to Carmel, which ended up calling the Noblesville Fire Department seven minutes later after realizing a dive team was needed.

Kernan told a Purdue-sponsored conference he's disappointed legislators didn't start the process of amending the constitution to eliminate eight county offices. He says other recommendations can be taken up next year, when lawmakers have had more time to consider them.

Legislators did adopt one recommendation, moving child welfare funding off the property tax and into the state budget. They also voted to abolish township assessors in 70 counties -- the Kernan-Shepard Commission wanted to eliminate them entirely.

Legislators also took partial steps toward letting county councils approve the tax rates of solid waste districts and other unelected boards with citywide or countywide jurisdictions. The commission recommended council approval for all tax rates.

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