Ind. Code ch. 36-9-35

in effect

Ind. Code § 36-9-35-1 Application of chapter

Sec. 1. This chapter applies to each city in a county having a population of more than four hundred thousand (400,000) and less than seven hundred thousand (700,000), in which the legislative body has, by ordinance, established a water department as a municipal utility or a department of waterworks. As added by P.L.320-1989, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.12-1992, SEC.189; P.L.11-2023, SEC.131.

Ind. Code § 36-9-35-2 Boards of trustees; political affiliation of appointees

Sec. 2. Notwithstanding IC 36-1-8-10, whenever the city's ordinance establishing a water department requires that an appointment to the board of trustees of the water department be conditioned upon the political affiliation of the appointee, or that the membership of the board not exceed a stated number of members from the same political party, at the time of an appointment the appointee must: (1) have voted in the two (2) most recent primary elections held by the party with which the appointee claims affiliation; or (2) if the appointee did not vote in the two (2) most recent primary elections or only voted in one (1) of those elections, be certified as a member of the party with which the appointee claims affiliation by that party's county chair for the county in which the appointee resides. As added by P.L.320-1989, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.127-2017, SEC.375.

Ind. Code § 36-9-35-3 Boards of trustees; vacancies

Sec. 3. Notwithstanding IC 8-1.5, IC 36-9-23, IC 36-9-24, IC 36-9-25, or any other law, if a vacancy occurs on the board of trustees, the vacancy must be filled within thirty (30) days after the vacancy occurs. As added by P.L.320-1989, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 36-9-35-4 Boards of trustees; removal from office; appeals

Sec. 4. (a) Notwithstanding IC 8-1.5, IC 36-9-23, IC 36-9-24, IC 36-9-25, or any other law, a board member may not be removed from office except upon charges preferred before the city executive and a hearing held on them. The only permissible reasons for removal are neglect of duty and incompetence. The board member must be given at least ten (10) days notice of the time and place of the hearing and the opportunity to produce evidence and examine and cross-examine witnesses. All testimony shall be given under oath. The city executive shall prepare written findings and file them with the city clerk. (b) If the charges are sustained and the board member removed, the board member may appeal the findings within ten (10) days after the date they are filed with the clerk to the circuit or superior court of the county in which the city is located. The board member must file the appeal against the executive stating the charges preferred and the findings made. The court shall hear the appeal de novo without a jury within thirty (30) days after the appeal is filed and shall either ratify or reverse the findings of the executive. The judgment of the court is final and an appeal may not be taken. As added by P.L.320-1989, SEC.3.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/36Fetched: 10/17/2026