Harlan residents both for and against the community becoming a town argued their stance before the Allen County Plan Commission on Thursday.

The public hearing was a preliminary step to determine whether Harlan should become an incorporated town with taxing authority. The plan commission is expected to vote Thursday whether to recommend the town’s creation.

The Allen County commissioners will consider that recommendation and conduct a second public hearing before voting whether to pass an ordinance creating the town.

Currently, the rural community along Indiana 37 in Springfield Township is part of unincorporated Allen County, and the county commissioners serve as the local government for residents.

Town limits would extend from Notestine Road to the southwest to Bull Rapids Road and Indiana 37 in the northeast.

The town would provide police, fire, health protection, streetlights and street maintenance, planning and parks. During the first year, the town could have a $610,000 budget including miscellaneous revenue, income and property taxes.

To pay for those services, the owners of a home worth $100,000 would see their property tax bill increase between $344 and $488. In 2009, the owner of the same home in Springfield Township paid just $507 – money that went to the township, school district, county, library and airport.

Speaking for supporters, Harlan attorney Mitch Thompson said residents want to contract with the sheriff’s department to provide a dedicated officer to patrol through town a set number of hours per week – an increase over current service. The town’s tax dollars could also provide more equipment and training to the local volunteer fire department.

New tax dollars could also be used to maintain the existing park. The annual Harlan Days festival hasn’t generated enough money the past several years to pay for the park, Thompson said.

As a town, officials could negotiate better terms with local garbage haulers, saving residents money. Collecting taxes would also ensure that all property owners share the burden of paying for streetlights. Donations from some currently keep the lights on, he said.

“If we don’t take control of our future, our taxes will still go up, and we’ll have no say,” Springfield Trustee Bruce Amstutz said. He said while the town has managed to add sewer and water service and to build a new fire station, such projects could prove impossible in the future without the help of a town council.

But paying higher taxes and adding another layer of government were the chief concerns for opponents to incorporation.

“I don’t have any more money to give to taxes,” Lisa Scheurich said.

After the meeting, Scheurich said she sees no advantage to incorporating. She left Fort Wayne 15 years ago to live in Harlan and enjoys having less government oversight.

James Dinius, who organized an opposing petition drive, also doesn’t want more government. While services are important, he worries what effect the additional taxes will have as a high number of homes in the area are already in foreclosure, Dinius said.

“Our services are adequate, and we don’t need more taxes,” he said.

Last summer, Dinius submitted a petition with 237 signatures opposing incorporation. Although the petition carries no legal weight, it represents the community’s split opinion.

Supporters had 185 valid signatures on their petition to incorporate. They needed only 50 to trigger the hearing.

Of the 30 people who attended Thursday’s hearing, four spoke against and three in favor of Harlan becoming a town.

aiacone@jg.net

Paul Wyche of The Journal Gazette contributed to this story.