Two members of the Pike Township Board — Kendra Perkins and Demetrice Hicks — are facing recent civil judgments for unpaid debts, even as they’ve taken part in high-stakes budget and compensation maneuvers. Those moves include cutting the fire chief’s salary, eliminating one of three IT positions in the Character 3 budget, and introducing resolutions to raise their own pay, expand benefits, and hire outside legal counsel.

At the same time, Trustee Annette Johnson has signaled that she has no intention of signing the proposed budget, effectively blocking those moves and keeping the current funding levels in place.

The Judgments

According to certified Marion County court records, Perkins had a judgment entered against her on August 26, 2024, in Marion Superior Court 1, in favor of Midland Credit Management, Inc. (Cause No. 49D01-2407-CC-031961). The amount was $5,957.14, plus post-judgment interest and costs. On September 26, Midland filed a Verified Motion for Proceedings Supplemental to enforce the judgment, naming Citizens Energy Group as garnishee defendant.

Hicks had a separate judgment entered on November 25, 2024, in Marion Superior Court 5, in favor of Capital One N.A., successor by merger to Discover Bank (Cause No. 49D05-2411-CC-053731). That judgment totals $7,085.50, including costs and post-judgment interest.

These are standard civil collection matters. Neither involves criminal allegations or public funds. Such judgments do not disqualify a person from serving in public office, but they can shape how their actions are viewed by the public — particularly when those actions involve pay increases and budget authority.

Board Resolutions and Budget Moves

This year, the Pike Township Board has:

  • Cut the fire chief’s salary by approximately $7,000.

  • Eliminated one of three IT positions in the Character 3 budget.

  • Introduced two new resolutions: one to raise board salaries and provide health insurance, and another to appropriate $70,000 to hire outside legal counsel for the board.

  • Pushed to expand board benefits, including participation in the Public Employees’ Retirement Fund (PERF).

The outside counsel appropriation would allow the board to hire its own attorney, separate from the township trustee, intensifying the long-running governance struggle between the two sides.

Trustee’s Move: No Signature

Trustee Annette Johnson has made it clear she will not sign the budget in its current form. That’s not a symbolic gesture — it has real financial implications.

Under Indiana law, and specifically under Uni-Gov governance in Marion County, a township budget that isn’t signed off by the trustee does not go into effect. Instead, the current year’s budget remains in place.

That means:

  • No raises for board members.

  • No $7,000 cut to the fire chief’s salary.

  • No personnel or funding reductions.

  • No appropriation of $70,000 for outside counsel.

In other words, the board may pass as many resolutions as it likes, but without trustee approval, they carry no practical effect.

Uni-Gov Roadblocks

Even if the board somehow moved forward on the compensation resolution, another roadblock looms. Under state law, any pay increase for township board members cannot take effect until the next board term, which begins in 2029.

Additionally, because Pike Township is part of Marion County’s Uni-Gov structure, the Indianapolis City-County Council (CCC) must sign off on any raise.

Sources close to the council tell Indy Politics that such an approval is highly unlikely, particularly given the township’s strained finances and history of controversy.

So, even if the board passed the raise resolution and the trustee didn’t block it, it would still face a political and legal dead end at the CCC.

Litigation and Legal Expertise

Separately, Indy Politics is engaged in ongoing litigation with Perkins, Hicks, and board chair Claudette Peterson in their official capacities. The suit involves governance and procedural issues. Earlier this year, the court put the case on hold pending resolution of similar litigation between the township trustee and the board.

This reporting is unrelated to that litigation and is based solely on independent, public records.

Additionally, our affiliated law practice regularly works in proceedings supplemental, judgment enforcement, and debt collection. That experience provides subject-matter context for understanding and accurately reporting on these types of legal and financial proceedings. This disclosure is made in the interest of full transparency.

Looking Ahead

Pike Township has long been a flashpoint for budget fights, political infighting, and questions of fiscal management. The combination of personal financial judgments, attempted pay increases, and trustee pushback has raised the stakes even higher.

Unless something changes dramatically, the 2024 budget will remain in effect, no raises will occur, and the board’s legal appropriation effort will likely stall.

Indy Politics has reached out to Perkins, Hicks, and Peterson for comment on the judgments and recent budget actions. As of publication, no response has been received.

Reporter’s note: All financial figures, legal filings, and board actions referenced in this story are derived from certified public records in Marion County, Indiana, and Pike Township meeting documentation. This reporting reflects matters of public record and includes full disclosure of Indy Politics’ related litigation and legal practice areas to maintain transparency and journalistic integrity.