The Perry Township board on Tuesday approved a plan to merge the township’s fire service with the Indianapolis Fire Department.

Township trustees voted 6-1 in favor of the consolidation plan. The measure now will be placed before the City-County Council.

Fire department consolidation is expected to lower property taxes in Perry Township.

Officials expect Perry Township tax bills to decrease by about $35 to $40 a year for a $150,000 house. Taxpayers in the IFD district could see an increase of about $6 a year for the same value home.

The city has promised not to close any Perry Township stations for at least two years.