2020 Indiana Code
Title 36. Local Government
Article 4. Government of Cities and Towns Generally
Chapter 2. Merger of Adjoining Municipalities
36-4-2-2. Resolution; Election; Notice; Ballot; Result; Certified Copies of Agreement and Result of Election

Sec. 2. (a) If the legislative bodies of two (2) or more adjoining municipalities each agree, by resolution, on:

(1) the date of an election to consider the merger of the municipalities; and

(2) the name by which the municipality formed by the merger would be known;

the municipalities shall certify the question to the county election board. The board shall conduct an election to consider the merger. The election shall be held in each of the municipalities.

(b) Notice of an election under this section shall be given in each municipality by publication in the manner prescribed by IC 5-3-1.

(c) An election under this section shall be held in each municipality in the manner prescribed by IC 3-10-8-6. The question shall be placed on the ballot in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4 and must state "Shall ______ and _____ merge and become the (City or Town) of _____?".

(d) The election board shall report the results of the election to each legislative body, and a certified copy of the result of the election in each municipality shall be filed with the legislative body of each of the municipalities involved in the election.

(e) If a majority of the votes cast in each of the municipalities is in favor of the merger, the municipalities are merged under the terms prescribed by this section and sections 9 through 17 of this chapter. A certified copy of the agreement, and of the result of the election, shall be filed in the office of the recorder of the county or counties in which the new municipality is located. The agreement must be:

(1) signed by the municipal executive;

(2) attested by the clerk; and

(3) sealed with the seal;

of each of the constituent municipalities. Copies of the record shall be received in all courts and places as conclusive of the merger of the municipality under the name agreed on.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation: 18-5-10-8 part.]

As added by Acts 1980, P.L.212, SEC.3. Amended by Acts 1981, P.L.45, SEC.13; P.L.5-1986, SEC.44; P.L.3-1987, SEC.554.