The town of Griffith is one step closer to joining a new township. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the Senate Local Government Committee approved a bill to allow the Lake County town to exit Calumet Township and join Ross Township.
If signed into law, Senate Bill 365 would allow Griffith to transfer to the new township or become its own township if an adjacent township does not agree to absorb the town by November, according to the publication.
In 2018, residents voted to leave Calumet Township due to the high tax rate. Town Council President Rick Ryfa tells The Times the town currently pays $2.2 million per year to the township, which would be reduced to $300,000 in Ross Township.
The publication says following the 8-1 vote, the bill’s financial impact still needs to be reviewed by the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee before moving to the full Senate for consideration.