Sec. 2. A town may be changed into a city through the following:
(1) The town legislative body must adopt a resolution submitting to the town's voters the question of whether the town should be changed into a city. The town legislative body shall adopt a resolution described in this subdivision if at least the number of registered voters of the town equal to ten percent (10%) of the total votes cast in the town at the last election for secretary of state sign a petition requesting the town legislative body to adopt such a resolution. In determining the number of signatures required under this subdivision, any fraction that exceeds a whole number shall be disregarded.
(2) The town legislative body must adopt the resolution under subdivision (1) not later than thirty (30) days after the date on which a petition having a sufficient number of signatures is filed. A resolution adopted under subdivision (1) must fix the date for an election on the question of whether the town should be changed into a city as follows:
(A) If the election is to be on the same date as a general election or municipal election:
(i) the resolution must state that fact and be certified in accordance with IC 3-10-9-3; and
(ii) the election must be held on the date of the next general election or municipal election, whichever is earlier, at which the question can be placed on the ballot under IC 3-10-9.
(B) If the election is to be a special election, the date must be:
(i) not less than seventy-four (74) and not more than one hundred four (104) days after the notice of the election; and
(ii) not later than the next general election or municipal election, whichever is earlier, at which the question can be placed on the ballot under IC 3-10-9.
(3) The town legislative body shall file a copy of the resolution adopted under subdivision (1) with the circuit court clerk of each county in which the town is located. The circuit court clerk shall immediately certify the resolution to the county election board.
(4) The county election board shall give notice of the election in the manner prescribed by IC 3-8-2-19. IC 3-10-6 applies to the election.
(5) The question described in subdivision (1) shall be placed on the ballot in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4. The text of the question shall be: "Shall the town of _________ change into a city?".
(6) If a majority of the voters voting on the question described in subdivision (1) vote "yes", the town is changed into a city as provided in this chapter. If a majority of the voters voting on the question vote "no", the town remains a town.
As added by P.L.111-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.202-2013, SEC.29; P.L.2-2014, SEC.119; P.L.76-2014, SEC.66.
Structure Indiana Code
Article 4. Government of Cities and Towns Generally
Chapter 1.5. Changing a Town Into a City
36-4-1.5-1. Change of Status; Town to City
36-4-1.5-2. Change of Status; Procedure
36-4-1.5-3. Adoption of Ordinance
36-4-1.5-4. Newly Elected City Officers' Term of Office
36-4-1.5-5. Effective Date of Status Change
36-4-1.5-6. Continuation of Town Acts, Ordinances, Contracts, Rules, and Regulations