INDIANAPOLIS — The Marion County Republican Party recently responded to a proposal by Wayne Township Trustee David “King” Baird to increase the township’s fire protection levy by almost $1.7 million.
Baird’s office announced in March that it would ask the Department of Local Government and Finance for $1,675,696 for the Fire Protection Territory Fund at its April 9 meeting.
“What he initially put out in one of the legal publications was a tax anticipation notice to increase spending,” said Dan Tierney, communications director for the Marion County Republican Party. “What we found out is that that was a fund to fund the Clermont Volunteer Fire Department and he wants to transfer it to the rainy day fund for the township.”
Tierney said the party’s position is that any money set out for fire protection should be used for just that.
“This money should be used for fire protection,” he said. “Wayne Township is facing problems down the road to pay for fire services. If (it’s not being used for fire protection) it should be returned to the taxpayers in the form of a property tax reduction.”
He also said this issue stems from the fact that the trustee’s office does not want to consolidate with the Indianapolis Fire Department.
“The point is that Wayne Township Fire is not going to be able to survive long-term without considering consolidation with IFD,” Tierney said.
Tierney said Baird was the focus of an Indianapolis Star article on March 1, about township officials and nepotism.
“David Baird has shown that he hasn’t managed the trustee’s office well,” he said. “He hired his brother, Hershell, gave him and his brother brand new Crown Victorias because (they say) they need to be on call all the time for poor relief and fire protection. If you’re trying to say that you don’t need to consolidate, you need to make better financial decisions as the trustee.”
The Wayne Township meeting will start at 6 p.m. April 9 at 5401 West Washington St. Tierney said he hopes taxpayers in Wayne Township will turn out for the meeting and express their concerns.
“Essentially, this will end up increasing people’s taxes,” he said. “We’ve encouraged people through our website and Facebook to go to the April 9 meeting. We wanted to bring it to people’s attention so they were aware of the issue, that (the trustee’s office) wants to raise taxes.”
Visit the party’s website at www.indyrepublicans.com for more information.
Calls to Baird’s office were not returned as of press time.
charlee.beasor@flyergroup.com
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