Wayne County townships are preparing 2027 budgets while absorbing a new state firefighter-pay mandate, rising training costs, looming merger decisions and flood relief on top of regular poverty assistance.
Jackson Township, serving Cambridge City and Western Wayne County, discussed these issues Sept. 30 at a public hearing on its proposed 2027 budget. No residents attended. Adoption is planned for a noon Oct. 14 public meeting at the township office, 340 W. Main St., Cambridge City.
Trustee Lyndon Wicker outlined the advertised $589,100 budget, 5% above 2026. After its approval, he’d like to give Cambridge City Volunteer Fire Department up to $200,000 toward a new pumper tanker in exchange for steady coverage costs. The township pays $15,500 yearly after buying CCVFD a $160,000 aerial truck in 2020.
Training costs are also up because a new state law requires more trustee training, mostly in person. The office will be closed Oct. 7-9 while Wicker and his assistant attend; calls will be monitored remotely.
A second hearing approved $25,000 more for active volunteer firefighters. Departments have long paid each firefighter $250 annually for clothing and vehicle costs. Indiana legislators recently doubled that to $500 and required contracting townships to pay another $500 each, which Jackson hadn’t budgeted. Because the township contracts with Dublin (about $8,000 yearly) and Cambridge City, Wicker is compiling rosters of active firefighters to issue checks. Probationary and retired members aren’t eligible.
Board member Judith Kerney favors keeping both contracts. Township officials will consider how much Indiana’s Senate Bill 1 reduces the township’s budget. Wicker said Jackson lacks enough growth to qualify for extra state funding.
By year’s end, the Department of Local Government Finance will announce which townships must merge, and townships may appeal their scores. Government software provider TownWorks.com predicts six of Wayne County’s 15 townships are safe, four are at risk and five are designated to merge. Wicker is optimistic Jackson will be spared, though he sees little momentum for voluntary mergers. Board member Brad Bowman fears consolidation will hurt small fire departments and townships.
Board members also worried the Aug. 12 flooding could reduce future property tax collections.
A version of this article appeared in the October 7 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
