Four townships in Jackson County would be in the crosshairs for consolidation if HB 1005 passes.
Salt Creek Township in northwest Jackson County is the smallest township with a population of 347, according to the 2015 U.S. Census estimate.
Grassy Fork Township, which includes the community of Tampico, has a population of 676.
Driftwood, which includes the community of Vallonia, has a population of 869.
Washington Township, which includes the community of Dudleytown, has a 2015 estimate population of 1,135.
The next closest township in the county that could be on the bubble is Pershing with a population of 1,398.
Other townships by population include Jackson, 21,455; Brownstown, 5,581; Redding, 4,377; Vernon, 3,443; Hamilton, 1,681; Owen, 1,591; Carr, 1,516.
None of the township trustees in Jackson County are responsible for fire protection as rural fire protection is paid for by a fire protection district or territory. Some consolidation of those responsibilities have already occurred. Jackson-Washington and Owen-Salt Creek have fire protection districts for combined township territories.
However, all township trustees in Jackson County are responsible for poor relief—emergency assistance for rent, food, utilities, burial of the indigent—and maintenance of cemeteries that do not have a church or association to provide mowing.
