PORTAGE TOWNSHIP, Ind. -- Portage Township Trustee Jason Critchlow announces plans to present a framework for township consolidation and government modernization in Saint Joseph County. 

The proposal will begin a public conversation with representatives from townships and other community bodies. The conversations will focus on the proposal's plan to consolidate the county's 13 townships into larger government units.

This comes after the Indiana State Legislature earlier this year called for the consolidation of some townships in the state that did not meet certain criteria.