Is $40,000 Enough for Poor Relief?

An October sunrise over Springfield Township.

Poor relief is one of the main responsibilities of a township trustee in Indiana. The citizens of our state consider it an important benefit for neighbors who are less fortunate. It includes shelter assistance, utility assistance, burial and ambulance assistance, and other direct relief.

Unfortunately, the budget for these needs is not large. The 2026 Springfield Township budget sets aside $40,000 for poor relief: $15,000 for shelter, $15,000 for public utility services, $6,000 for burials and ambulance service, and $4,000 for other direct relief. At the September public budget meeting, my opponent and I exchanged a couple of sentences about whether that is enough. It feels too low to me, but I do not have all the data yet.

A family facing eviction or a shutoff notice cannot wait for the next budget cycle, and a family burying a loved one should not be turned away because the money ran out.

I do not want to add to the tax burden of Springfield Township residents. With the impending transfer of property from the township to the Allen County Fire District, there may be line items in the budget that are no longer needed. Some of those funds might be redirected to direct poor relief.

If I am elected, I will work with the board to review how the township has used these funds and to propose a budget that matches the relief needs of our community. I would also plan to have contact information for public and private sources of support that citizens might utilize if they are in need, available on the township webpage and Facebook page.

If you have experience with township poor relief or ideas on how to improve it, I would like to hear from you with the button below.