Osolo Township Budget Advocacy Amid Simonton Lake Concerns (Elkhart, IN)

Osolo Township, part of Elkhart County, serves Simonton Lake and its surrounding neighborhoods—including the lake community itself—through services such as road maintenance, fire/EMS, relief assistance, and cemetery upkeep. In recent months, Township leaders and local residents have engaged in important discussions around the 2025 budget, highlighting the increasing need for sustainable funding and deeper community involvement in budget decisions.

Fire & EMS Funding Challenges
Osolo Township allocates a significant portion of its annual budget to Fire and EMS services—around $1.8 million in the prior year, while receiving approximately $1.4 million from state sources  This shortfall of about $400,000 was temporarily bridged by reserves, but Township Board members have expressed concerns over the long-term viability:

“Looking beyond 2025 … state dollars are going to get lower and lower and we’re not going to have the funds that we need to do everything the way we have done it in the past. … we may have to downsize some facilities,” said member Carol McDowell.

Resident Engagement and Transparency
During a Township meeting last year, rumors circulated about cuts to Advanced Life Support (ALS), prompting packed turnouts to hear from officials. Township leaders like Vern Miller emphasized the value of community input:
“People should… come and hear the facts,”
.
Local Simonton Lake residents, including the Simonton Lake Area Homeowners Association (SLAHA), have mobilized to ensure transparency around budgeting decisions that directly impact their community. Residents are actively encouraged to attend public hearings, which are scheduled annually before final adoption. For Osolo Township, the 2025 public hearing was held Sep 23, 2024, followed by formal adoption on Oct 28, 2024 

Coordination with Conservancy District
The Simonton Lake Conservancy District—a separate taxing body responsible for lake-specific infrastructure—also operates on a regulated budget cycle. Close coordination between the Township and the Conservancy District is essential, especially regarding shared concerns like stormwater drainage, shoreline maintenance, and funding transparency.

Advocating for Solutions
Key priorities in current township discussions include:

• Sustainable funding strategies: With revenue from the state relatively flat and reserve funds depleting, Township officials are exploring revenue adjustments—potentially through property levies or strategic cuts—and vetting budget lines for efficiency.
• Improved communication: Township meetings now include clearer communication channels—such as publicized hearing alerts, homeowner notifications via SLAHA, transparency tools like Township Board minutes, and press coverage.
• Community representation: Residents are encouraged to attend meetings (typically monthly) and voice their priorities—such as ensuring uninterrupted emergency service coverage for Simonton Lake.

The Path Ahead
Both Township and Conservancy leaders agree that ongoing advocacy from Simonton Lake’s community is crucial—particularly as township funds continue to be strained and state funding remains unpredictable. Active engagement, budget literacy, and maintaining open dialogue will ultimately determine whether vital services like fire/EMS and shoreline management can be sustained without sacrificing quality or safety.

How Residents Can Help

• Attend Township budget hearings—usually held in September and October of each year.
• Stay current via the Simonton Lake HOA bulletins, local news (e.g., WSBT), and official Township documentation .
• Share community priorities early, especially related to emergency services, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship.
• Encourage neighbors to participate—collective advocacy is more likely to influence policy decisions.

By staying informed, vocal, and involved, the residents of Simonton Lake and Osolo Township can work together to secure essential services while maintaining fiscal responsibility—and ensure the well-being of their community now and into the future.