By Ann Marie Shambaugh
The Indiana Supreme Court has ruled that Zionsville’s reorganization with Perry Township is valid.
Justice Brent E. Dickson authored the opinion released Jan. 22.
“We now hold that the 2014 Zionsville-Perry Reorganization is not prohibited and that Whitestown may not adopt annexation ordinances annexing territory in municipalities that are the result of completed reorganizations under the Act,” it states.
Whitestown, which is primarily located between Zionsville and Perry Township, filed a lawsuit attempting to stop the merger in 2014. A Boone County judge sided with Whitestown, but that decision was overturned in June 2015 in an appeals court.
Whitestown then petitioned the Indiana Supreme Court to take the case.
“We are obviously disappointed but we respect the Indiana Supreme Court’s decision,” Whitestown Town Council President Eric Miller stated. “We will continue to strengthen our relationship with the Town of Zionsville and all of our Boone County neighbors as we move forward as the fastest-growing community in the state of Indiana.”
Zionsville officials also expressed a desire to improve the relationship between the towns.
“Today’s ruling from the Supreme Court is very exciting for Zionsville,” said Tim Haak, who became Zionsville’s first elected mayor as a result of the reorganization. “I along with the Town Council will continue to work to make Zionsville a great place to live, work, and play. I also look forward to working with our friends in Whitestown to resolve our differences.”
“I’m pleased with the decision. Having a mayor is a gamechanger for Zionsville,” said Town Councilor Jeff Papa, who served as the town’s interim mayor in 2015. “We can concentrate on moving our town forward, and on building good relations with our neighbors.”
