Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and members of his legal team are now representing the State of Indiana in Bloomington’s annexation attempt lawsuit.
The city filed suit against Monroe County Auditor Catherine Smith in March claiming a 2019 law that limited the city’s annexation effort is unconstitutional.
Indiana Code section 4-6-2-1.5 states the state of Indiana is responsible for executive branch officer representation – that includes the county auditor.
County Residents Against Annexation President Margaret Clements says mayor John Hamilton invoked a constitutional claim and now the state can respond and present evidence.
“We would like the people to stop bullying the people in the county. It would be the respectable thing to do,” Clements said. “They should stop spending money on this needless lawsuit.”
Clements says county residents living in five of the seven areas targeted for annexation submitted the required number of property owner signatures to invalidate annexation.
READ MORE: Pushing City Limits: Bloomington Annexation Coverage
She says the group has raised $20,000 with a goal of $50,000 to pay attorney fees.
State law does require the city to reimburse $37,500 in reasonable litigation fees if remonstrators are successful in court.
City council members adopted the seven areas last September to be annexed into the city.
The seven fringe areas include more than 8,300 acres and 14,000 people. Any adopted annexation would take effect in January of 2024.
