Indiana law requires that the Township Trustees provide essential services to the residents and businesses of the Township. Because of its "grassroots" structure, the Township Trustee system is explicitly designed to meet the needs of the individual in an emergency quickly. The Trustee may not always be able to help indirectly funding your loss or in being able to assist with providing financial assistance due to not meeting the township eligibility requirements. Please contact us for assistance or download the township eligibility requirements.
Township Assistance
Overseeing the poor and distributing poor relief is a primary duty in many townships. The Trustee is charged to care for the poor by the most economical means available and at the same time is charged to be sure that the necessary needs of an individual or family are met. The applicant must show that they cannot provide those needs through personal effort and that they have exhausted all other means.
Many trustees creatively cooperate with other agencies and churches in their areas, keeping costs controlled and delivering services needed. The advantage the Trustee's system has over other forms of welfare is the freedom to discern whether or not an individual has and is willing to put forth that personal effort to help themselves. (Indiana Code Title 12)
Burials
Burial assistance is available from the Township Trustee when no other means of payment are available. The Trustee, according to Indiana Code Title 12, is to oversee the burial of the indigent. ALL contracts with selected Mortuaries MUST be negotiated and signed by the Trustee.
Financials
Each Sept, the Trustee prepares and submits a budget for the incoming year to the three-person township board for approval. As the Chief Financial Officer of the Township, the Trustee pays and records all claims for the township expenses and salaries and is responsible for keeping accurate records and follow all the financial guidelines set out in Indiana Code.
In January of each year, the Trustee presents to the board an annual report which shows all receipts, expenditures, investments, and debts. The approved information is then published in local papers for public inspection.
Cemetery Maintenance
According to Indiana Code 23-14, the Trustee is to provide and maintain cemeteries located in the Township. This includes those cemeteries which have been abandoned.
Weed Control
Indiana Code 15-3-4 charges the Trustee with destroying detrimental weeds within their Township. Guidelines for notification to the property owner are set within the law.
Fence Disputes
When a dispute arises between two landowners regarding placement and maintenance of line fences, the Trustee decides according to Indiana law 32-10-9.
Miscellaneous Duties
There are other areas of responsibility for trustees that are not widespread. Those include:
Farmer; Livestock
Township Assistance
Overseeing the poor and distributing poor relief is a primary duty in many townships. The Trustee is charged to care for the poor by the most economical means available and at the same time is charged to be sure that the necessary needs of an individual or family are met. The applicant must show that they cannot provide those needs through personal effort and that they have exhausted all other means.
Many trustees creatively cooperate with other agencies and churches in their areas, keeping costs controlled and delivering services needed. The advantage the Trustee's system has over other forms of welfare is the freedom to discern whether or not an individual has and is willing to put forth that personal effort to help themselves. (Indiana Code Title 12)
Burials
Burial assistance is available from the Township Trustee when no other means of payment are available. The Trustee, according to Indiana Code Title 12, is to oversee the burial of the indigent. ALL contracts with selected Mortuaries MUST be negotiated and signed by the Trustee.
Financials
Each Sept, the Trustee prepares and submits a budget for the incoming year to the three-person township board for approval. As the Chief Financial Officer of the Township, the Trustee pays and records all claims for the township expenses and salaries and is responsible for keeping accurate records and follow all the financial guidelines set out in Indiana Code.
In January of each year, the Trustee presents to the board an annual report which shows all receipts, expenditures, investments, and debts. The approved information is then published in local papers for public inspection.
Cemetery Maintenance
According to Indiana Code 23-14, the Trustee is to provide and maintain cemeteries located in the Township. This includes those cemeteries which have been abandoned.
Weed Control
Indiana Code 15-3-4 charges the Trustee with destroying detrimental weeds within their Township. Guidelines for notification to the property owner are set within the law.
Fence Disputes
When a dispute arises between two landowners regarding placement and maintenance of line fences, the Trustee decides according to Indiana law 32-10-9.
Miscellaneous Duties
There are other areas of responsibility for trustees that are not widespread. Those include:
Farmer; Livestock