IC 20-25-5-16: Effective date of annexation

Sec. 16. (a) If a remonstrance is filed on any ground other than a ground set forth in section 14(a)(5) of this chapter, annexation does not become effective until final judgment in the remonstrance suit. A judgment is not considered final until the time for taking an appeal has expired or, if an appeal is taken within the permitted time, until a final judgment is issued in the appeal.

(b) A judgment of a trial court dismissing a remonstrance is a final judgment, subject to subsection (a).

(c) If a judgment is against annexation, no further annexation of the annexed territory may occur for two (2) years after the date of the filing of the remonstrance. However, a judgment against annexation does not prevent either the:

(1) acquiring school corporation; or

(2) acquiring school corporation and the losing school corporation;

from rescinding the annexation resolution. If an annexation resolution is rescinded under this subsection, the suit must be dismissed without prejudice. If an annexation suit is dismissed without prejudice under this subsection, the two (2) year prohibition does not apply unless a subsequent annexation resolution is adopted primarily for the purpose of harassment and not for another purpose, such as the correction of procedural irregularities or a substantial change in the annexed territory or the annexation resolution.

(d) If a remonstrance relates solely to a matter raised under section 14(a)(5) of this chapter, the annexation takes effect at the time provided under section 11 or 12 of this chapter.