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Lawmakers on the Indiana Senate Local Government Committee voted unanimously Thursday in favor of legislation that would exempt the east-side town of Cumberland from Indianapolis-Marion County consolidated government.
House Bill 1131, by Rep. Doug Miller, R-Elkhart, would make Cumberland the first community since the formation of Unigov in 1970 to be granted the autonomy of an excluded municipality. A suburban enclave of just under 3 square miles, Cumberland straddles the line between Marion and Hancock counties.
If the bill becomes law, the town would join the original excluded municipalities of Beech Grove, Southport, Lawrence and Speedway.
Town Manager Ben Lipps told IBJ in January that leaving the consolidated government of Indianapolis and Marion County is necessary to give Cumberland more control over its own development as the town grows.
When Unigov took effect 55 years ago, all municipalities in Indianapolis with 5,000 residents or more were excluded. The cities of Beech Grove, Southport and Lawrence and the town of Speedway met that criteria. Municipalities with fewer than 5,000 residents—Cumberland had about 500 at that time—were included in consolidation.
“When Richard Lugar formed UniGov and worked on that process with the legislature, he was trying to create efficient government,” Lipps told IBJ. “Cumberland wasn’t an anticipated situation, growing into two counties and growing to be fully autonomous.”
Cumberland now has 6,400 residents. Lipps told the committee that because the town also exists in Hancock County, it has existing planning staff and boards. It also maintains its roads, rather than the Indianapolis Department of Public Works.
An amendment passed by House lawmakers specifies that Cumberland would remain within the purview of Marion County fire services and that taxes from the town will continue to pay a portion of Marion County’s debt service.
Indianapolis officials are neutral on the bill, which passed the full Indiana House 89-3 on Feb. 11.
The Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee will next consider the legislation.
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