1. (a) Subject to subsection (b), the officers of the new township government shall:

   1. (1) obtain from the department of local government finance approval under IC 6-1.1-18.5-7 of:

      1. (A) a budget;
      2. (B) an ad valorem property tax levy; and
      3. (C) a property tax rate;
   2. (2) fix the annual budget under IC 6-1.1-17 ;
   3. (3) impose a property tax levy; and

   4. (4) take any action necessary to ensure the collection of fees and other revenue;

      for the new township government for the budget year following the year the officers take office.

2. (b) The resolutions approving the township government merger under this chapter must specify the amount (if any) of the decrease that the department of local government finance shall make to the maximum permissible property tax levies, maximum permissible property tax rates, and budgets under IC 6-1.1-17 and IC 6-1.1-18.5 of the new township to:

   1. (1) eliminate double taxation for services or goods provided by the new township; or
   2. (2) eliminate any excess by which the amount of property taxes imposed by the new township exceeds the amount necessary to pay for services or goods provided under this article.
3. (c) The fiscal body of the new township shall determine and certify to the department of local government finance the amount of the adjustment (if any) under subsection (b). The amount of the adjustment (if any) to be made under subsection (b) must comply with the resolutions approving the township government merger.
4. (d) The department may prescribe forms for submission to the department to expedite processing of mergers under IC 36-6-1.7 .

As added by P.L.240-2005, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.58-2011, SEC.4; P.L.255-2013, SEC.14; P.L.134-2026, SEC.7.