(WSBT) Finding ways to make local government work better was the topic of a public meeting in South Bend Thursday.

Former governor Joseph Kernan is one of the chairmen of the Commission on Local Government Reform.

Kernan says the commission is looking for ways to streamline government, because the system is antiquated.

Some of the ideas discussed were eliminating township assessor positions, moving responsibility for funding the court system from the state to the counties and having municipal elections in the same year as county elections.

The most discussion occurred over the issue of consolidating services, including libraries and fire departments.

We see no way for these small libraries to exist, many will have to be closed,” said Jane Hall, Director of the Argos Library. “How will you save money unless you close buildings?”

“I have a real concern about that to go into consolidation for the purpose of streamlining government if it's not going to be beneficial to my taxpayers,” said Katherine Weaver, Baugo Township Trustee.

While changing the property tax system is not the aim of the commission, Kernan says the issues are related.

"We hope that by creating a more efficient and effective way of delivering government services at the local level that we would save money as well," Kernan said.

Taxpayers are hopeful.

“I'm grateful for this type of commission because this is what's necessary to obtain real tax relief, because we're not going to obtain real tax relief unless we get more control of our spending, until we get our spending in line with inflation,” taxpayer Bill Stroup said during the meeting.

“No matter what we talk about be it the taxes or local government, things are broken,” said taxpayer Carol Davis. “Everybody here is part of the reason why things aren't functioning the way that they should be.”

The commission hopes to have a list of recommendations by the end of the year.

If you weren't able to attend Thursday’s meeting and would like to share your ideas about local government, you can still submit your comments to the commission.

To submit suggestions:

• Web: indianalocalgovreform.iu.edu
  
• E-mail: lgreform@iu.edu
  
• Voicemail: 317-261-3025
  
• Mail to:
  
  Center for Urban Policy and the Environment
  342 N. Senate Ave. #300
  Indianapolis, IN 46204