Pike trustee loses access to township vehicle after controversial taxpayer-funded trips
Pike Township's legislative body passed a resolution revoking the township trustee's right to drive a government-owned vehicle, after an IndyStar report found the trustee had used a township-owned SUV for trips that critics say ran afoul of state law. Pike Township Trustee Annette Johnson previously was allowed to drive a taxpayer-funded vehicle "for the performance of official duties," according to state law . But the law also makes clear that's allowed "only if the use is authorized by the township legislative body." At a contentious meeting Oct. 28, the Pike Township Board voted 3-2 to revoke Johnson's vehicle privileges because they say she used it for "personal leisure activities, social engagements, and partisan political events" while failing to maintain mileage logs. Starting in November, Johnson must use her personal vehicle for township business and file for mileage reimbursement payments she's entitled to under state law, the resolution states. The board also rejected the trustee's request to increase her roughly $109,000 salary, although many township employees received 4.5% raises, including board members. Along with the vehicle trips, the board cited a state audit that found multiple issues in the trustee's office, including "unauthorized" salary increases to employees totaling $24,000 in 2024
