(NOTE: This is a commentary written by Fred Swift of the Hamilton County Reporter. The views expressed are those of Fred Swift and do not necessarily reflect the views of LarryInFishers.com.  This opinion piece is posted here as part of a partnership between the Reporter and LarryInFishers.com) 

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County is a place where individual communities like to keep their separate agencies and organizations. Whereas many Hoosier counties go countywide on such things as planning commissions, library districts, historical societies and even school districts, in our county most communities keep their own systems and with this, their own identities.

Hamilton County has nine planning jurisdictions, nine fire departments, six school corporations, five library districts and five historical museums. This has been the case for years, leading some to say that’s too many organizations to be efficient, but at the rate the county is growing, it has probably proved wise to have multiples of such institutions and agencies.

But, it is painful sometimes. Right now county officials are trying to get all fire departments and police departments to agree on how to pay fairly for 911 emergency communications costs. Larger jurisdictions have been paying smaller departments’ costs and want to end that practice while still keeping a centralized communications system.

Our five public library systems have joined in resisting state administration efforts to have (with a few exceptions) only countywide library districts. Hamilton County libraries in recent years have adopted a reciprocal agreement so that any library patron can use any library in the county.

The number of planning and zoning jurisdictions pose problems when as many as three jurisdictions meet at one highway intersection. One planning board may zone one side of a road for one type of use while across the road zoning is not compatible. But, planners do meet with each other and usually find a workable solution.

With school districts there are few if any problems. And, with the tremendous growth in school enrollment, six school systems is probably none too many. If enrollments grow too large administration becomes more difficult.

Museums and historical societies in Hamilton County concentrate on their immediate community, so important in our growing county where many newer residents don’t have knowledge of their local history and culture.

So, while our county may be unique is some of these areas, we’re doing all right, and we just happen to be safest, best educated, and most attractive to new residents and businesses of any in the state.

Tomorrow’s commentary will be devoted to one of the county historical societies that is increasing its activity to enhance awareness of its community’s contributions.