Minutes

Village Residents’ Association Meeting

February 5, 2008

Sullivan Museum

VRA Officers present:  John Tousley, President

                                                Bill Burgman, Treasurer

                                                Penny Edmondson, Secretary

                                                Ted Schrader, Webmaster

The meeting was called to order by President Tousley at approximately 7:30 p.m. President Tousley handed out a packet of information which contained the schedule of events for the VRA for the upcoming year, and also an extensive summary of the reorganization committee.

Minutes: We dispensed with the reading of the minutes from October.

Treasurer’s Report: Bill reported that the balance in the treasury is $601.20. He mentioned that residents’ dues are now due.

Webmaster: Ted had no report. There were some web difficulties due to a recent electrical storm. President Tousley encouraged members to visit the website for current VRA information.

Program: President Tousley introduced the speaker, Gene Thompson, who currently serves as Chairman of the Communities of the Zionsville Area for Better Government.

Mr. Thompson enlightened the audience with a history and update of where the reorganization committee is at this point in time. Basically, Zionsville may grow into a town of about 52 square miles. This would happen by annexing Eagle and Union Townships, and the Village of Zionsville. The main purpose of combining the three entities would be to maintain orderly growth, to reduce the number of government employees needed, and to inform residents well ahead of time of potential tax increases. With the current proposed plan, residents would be taxed according to the services provided. Currently, that proposed tax base is labeled "rural district" and "town district".  In addition, Eagle and Union Townships would be represented on the Town Council in at-large positions, raising the number of Town Council members to seven from the current five.

The reorganization committee is making its’ recommendations by March 13. All three entities must pass the recommendations. If all three entities pass the recommendation of the committee, it will be put on the ballot in November as a referendum. All three sets of citizens will need to pass the referendum for it to be enacted into law. Several questions followed Mr. Thompson’s presentation, and he provided informative answers.

The meeting was adjourned by President Tousley at approximately 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Penny Edmondson

Secretary