- We call to order this Monday, September 8th, 2025 meeting the Elstville Town Council. Marshal, the prayer.
- Our Heavenly Father, we come before you this evening again. Thank you so much for this little town.
- We thank you for the ability we have to serve it. We thank you for the ability we have to take care
- of our people. We ask this name, Jesus' name, Amen. Amen. Chief. I pledge allegiance to the flag of
- the United States of America.
- to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all
- When you're ready roll call here Here William Ellis Trevor Sager here Pam samples
- is not here this evening. We're going to make a move here on the agenda so that we can get some people
- back on the road and move to police department business.
- for just a second if you don't mind. Each year, as you know, I take a, not a poll really, but a general
- opinion of the police officer of the year. And this year we've come up with a gentleman that's been
- with us for 12 years.
- And I'm gonna let the officer that nominated him to read his recommendation. My staff is here, and when
- I asked for a recommendation, all three of them gave the same name. Lieutenant Michael. It is with profound
- pleasure that I present Officer John Newcomer as the Ellesville Police Department's 2025 Police Officer
- of the Year.
- He embodies all the qualities of a true public servant, as evident from his 12-year service to the town
- of Ellitsville, as outlined below. Officer Newcomber began serving his community in January 2010 as
- a reserve police officer, volunteering his time to fulfill the functions of a full-time police officer.
- In 2022, at the young age of 53 years old, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of attending the Indiana
- Law Enforcement Academy's Tier 1 Basic Course.
- and becoming a full-time police officer with the Ellesville Police Department. Since that time, he has
- excelled in all aspects of his career. During his tenure as a reserve police officer, Officer Newcomer
- was responsible for overseeing the reserve police officer program. He is credited with developing much-needed
- policies and procedures that, to this day, govern that program. He also obtained much-needed equipment
- for the program, including enhanced body armor and even a brand new patrol vehicle. Officer Newcomer's
- work ethic continued when he began
- Became a full-time police officer. He has been our trap I'm sorry his top traffic enforcement performer
- since 2022 stopping over 300 cars per year But his goal is not to write as many tickets as he possibly
- can He simply wants to educate the public about traffic laws in hopes of improving the safety of our
- roadways Additionally officer newcomer is one of two investigators and crime scene technicians for the
- department He is responsible for undertaking major investigations and has security
- secure the conviction of multiple offenders for felony crimes. Undoubtedly, the community is a safer
- place because of his work in this area. In 2023, Officer Newcomer became the department's first qualified
- law enforcement phlebotomist and the only active law enforcement phlebotomist in Monroe County at that
- time. He worked to develop a detailed policy and procedure for this program that is now used as a model
- by the state of Indiana when training new law enforcement phlebotomists.
- In addition to being a police officer, Officer Newcomer is also a certified firefighter and emergency
- medical technician. He has drawn upon those skills outside of law enforcement to bring innovative ideas
- to the department that he has been responsible for incorporating into training and equipment purchases.
- In a time when the traits of enthusiasm, professionalism, and dedication are so critically important
- to law enforcement, it is an honor and privilege to have Officer Newcomer who exemplifies all of those
- traits as a police officer at the Ellsville Police Department.
- I'm proud to call him a colleague and, more importantly, a friend. John, we also have a plaque for you
- as the Elstil Police Department Deputy Marshal John M. Newcomer.
- Police Officer Year 2024, so order this day, 8th day of September 2025, but also Town Council President
- Scott Oldham, Town Manager Michael Farmer, and Chief Jimmy Durnall. Congratulations. Thank you, sir.
- Appreciate it. Thank you. It's yours. If I may add to this, Don, you've come a long way.
- saved the life of a family member of mine. I don't know exactly when that was. Back in March. And if
- it wasn't for John and his AED and his quad car, my cousin probably wouldn't be here today. So I thank
- you, John.
- Anything further right now, okay Absolutely Now we're gonna move back to our regular agenda. The first
- item on the agenda this evening is a public hearing for the 2026 budget pre-adoption This is the hearing
- for that Anything you want to say Okay, we've discussed this Over the last period of time we've had
- a lot of comments about it and
- And here we are giving the public the opportunity to speak to it if they wish first we're going to go
- to council comments of any.
- No, this is the pre the pre adoption for the budget hearing or the budget pre adoption hearing. I'm
- sorry Just if you haven't just if you have any comments that you want to put forth for this
- That will open up for public comment we have comments from the public on our proposed budget for 2026
- Seeing no one rise in chambers no one online Will then continue with the meeting again. This is the
- pre-adoption hearing So now we're going to move into our regular agenda for this evening The first is
- action to approve of minutes for the August 25th 2025 meeting
- Second all those in favor say aye aye Any opposed any abstaining? extra pay accounts payable vouchers
- and payroll vouchers Motion second all those in favor say aye aye Anyone abstaining or anyone voting
- no? We're now removed resolutions there are three this evening the first resolution is 26-2025 to declare
- police department equipment as surplus and
- Come back to that unless one of you knows what it is You know The packet right Looks like 15 taser x2
- devices. Does that sound right? Yes along with batteries and cartridges for each device and Again,
- I'm sorry. I haven't seen this. What are we playing dessert? How are we planning to surplus these out?
- I don't know without Darla being here that we actually have to declare them surplus. So you're saying.
- Interagency transfer. Right. I'm pretty sure we do. I don't think so. You're not putting them out to
- public. You're putting, you're giving them to another police agency. But it's leaving our taxing
- jurisdiction. So, sir. If I may, the fire department's done this.
- Loaning equipment if you will Equipment that we're no longer needing to a department that may need it
- We've just written a simple mo you that they can use the equipment They maintain it so on so forth whenever
- they're done with it. They turn it back over to the town This is a little more complicated because of
- what they're doing So Marshall just to be sure we're donating tasers to IU and
- Here's the problem by a by federal all those are firearms. So we have to do a transfer to them We can't
- just surplus them and then here you go so we're gonna have to do some ATF paperwork on it and I don't
- even know that we need to surplus it because we're Interagency transferring it. So why don't we wait
- on this until Darla gets back? We'll do that kind of guide that process and you guys can be in Contact
- with ATF before we transfer things with that
- So for tonight, I have a motion to table for this. Yep. I'll make a motion to table resolution 26-2025
- to declare police department equipment as surplus. Second. Motion to second. Yes. Yes. Yes.
- William Ellis. Yes. Motion tabled. Next resolution is 27-2025, approving borrowing to finance department,
- fire department roof.
- We did get with People State Bank, and they drew up the paperwork. We're doing a three-year note. I
- do not have any intentions of it lasting that long. So basically, we just need approval to go forward
- with this. It's what we discussed in the last meeting. The first payment.
- is going to be due in December of twenty twenty six and that amount will be twenty one thousand five
- hundred seventy seven dollars and forty eight cents. The payments will continue that way for three years
- so the first payment will be due until December of twenty six. Questions from council. Is there a motion
- from council concerning this. I move approval of resolution twenty seven dash twenty twenty five
- Approving borrowing to finance fire department rule second Take it willing And can I make an amendment
- to this? Sorry guys that I can have permission to sign this should it be necessary for the council?
- Because we haven't done that yet Yeah, I'm fine with that so as amended yes as amended As amended with
- a second whenever you're ready
- And just so I'm clear on the amending to have the town council president signed the loan documents,
- correct? Okay. Scott Oldham. Yes. Dan Swaffer. Yes. Trevor Sager. Yes. William Ellis. Yes. Motion passes.
- The next resolution is 28-2025, approving certifications for the town.
- Okay Is there a motion on the town manager's request I Move we table resolution 28-20 25 Proving
- certification for the town second motion second when you're ready, please Scott Oldham. Yes, Dan Swaffer.
- Yes, Trevor Sager. Yes, William Ellis Yes motions table
- There are no ordinances on first reading. There are no ordinances on second reading. There is no old
- business. Under new business this evening, we had the award for the police officer of the year. That's
- already finished. Now we're to new gates for wastewater treatment plant. I tried to receive three quotes.
- That can only be two quotes. These are going to be electronic gates. As you know, once we came up here,
- eventually we're going to be out of the old blue building.
- This is the first step to move the safety haulers dumping station down to the wastewater plant. And
- once we get the gates in, we'll then build the dumping stations. This will be paid for out of the equipment
- replacement fund for the wastewater treatment plant. Sunset Fence had a bid of $24,000, I think, in
- an average of $34.96.
- Just so you know, the sunset fence is the same company that put our gates up up here. As I know, we're
- pretty happy with what they've done. Obviously, there's a big difference in price, so I think it's pretty
- easy to say that I'd like to use sunset fence. And as I understand, we didn't have a responsive third
- bitter, correct? We did not.
- Any questions? Questions from Council? Motions from Council. I make a motion to approve the purchase
- of the new gates for the wastewater treatment plant with Sunset Fence. Is that correct? Yes. Second.
- Motion second when you're ready. May I say the amount of the estimated total for the record? I have
- it in front of me.
- It's for Sunset Hill Fence Company estimated total twelve thousand two hundred sixty three dollars and
- forty eight cents If you look there's two there's an outer fence and an inner fence that we're putting
- on there So the total one was twelve thousand two sixty three forty eight and the other one was twelve
- thousand five seventy one for a total of twenty four thousand eight thirty four Thank you
- And this is why I prefer it for the record. So I make sure I get everything correct. I appreciate that.
- So we have a motion and a second, correct? Scott Oldham? Yes. Dan Swafford? Yes. Trevor Sager? Yes.
- William Ellis? Yes. Motion passes. Final item under new business this evening is an MOU between the
- Monroe County Prosecutor's Office and the town for the funding of the high tech crime unit through December of 2027.
- With them through the end of 2027 Yes, so it's just there's no change everything stays the same questions
- from council Actions from council Make a motion to approve the mo you between the Monroe County prosecutor
- in town for funding of the high-tech crimes unit through December of 2027
- Whenever you ready Scott Oldham. Yes, Dan Swafford. Yes, Trevor Sager. Yes, William Ellis Yes motion
- passes Now we're down to privilege of the floor anyone having business for the council I Thought we're
- gonna do the council comments. I'm sorry. We can do wherever I
- Pros just learning having business for the council not part of our normal agenda this evening No one
- online no one rising in chambers now the supervisor comments Yeah I'd like to ensure that everybody
- knows that the fall festivals this weekend and everybody should attend if they want to have some fun.
- It's a hometown event
- We'll have John Newcomer and the police force make sure we're safe. And congratulations to John. The
- fire department will be there to add to that safety net. DPWF put together everything that needs structurally
- to be in place so we can have this event. And Jeff.
- Everybody knows Jeff, my brother, him and his crew set up for the Crank, which is the big event for
- all my grandkids, nieces and nephews, so we'll all be there. My daughter's gonna be in the tent this
- year, the commercial tent, so it's a family affair. Pretty excited about, I'm pretty excited about the
- Fall Festival because the kids won it, so thanks to Mark and all these volunteers, and everybody should come.
- Thank you. Chief? Yes, we're ready to go. We're making sure we know that briefing's at 8 o'clock Saturday
- morning. Don't be late. That's all I have. Thank you. OK. Yeah, the only thing I have to add to our
- crew is the police department. They are part of our crew. Actually, we're part of their crew, I'd say.
- And hope everybody counts. Thank you. Chief?
- First Monday of the month We have a staff meeting at the fire station and the crews do watch the council
- meetings and they wanted me to extend a Thank you to the council They watched the last meeting where
- the conversation was going back and forth about the raises potential raises and wanting to make sure
- that there was revenues that stay in the funds and
- so that firefighters are not laid off, that we continue to keep going forward like we are, and they
- wanted to make sure they tell you thank you for looking to the future, that they're good with you guys
- hanging on to the possible raise that you were looking at so that we can keep working. That's probably
- not said as well as the way they did it, but they wanted to make sure I said thank you to you guys.
- We appreciate that.
- I think all of us, I speak for all of us, wish it was easier and there was more. But protecting the
- jobs comes first and then we'll go from there. You're helping with the insurance, so that's a big plus.
- Thank you. Okay, now we're down to council comments. Okay, William, it's time for the declaration. Would
- you like to proceed?
- Yes, I will. The Town Development Administration recognizes the 40th anniversary of the Wilmington Economic
- Development Corporation, or BGC as we call it. Or as the Wilmington Economic Development Corporation,
- founded in 1985, has dedicated four decades of fostering job creation, wage growth, and community prosperity
- across Monroe County, and where it has since 2020. Monroe County has seen commitments to more than $1
- billion in capital investment,
- jobs created through 11 BEDC support projects and commitments that represent not just statistics, but
- higher wages for residents, new opportunities for local businesses, and a greater tax revenue to support
- essential services. And whereas the town of Ellsville recognizes the BEDC's steadfast support in attracting
- new projects and increasing capital expenditures for the community, playing a key role in giving these
- successes, and whereas
- through efforts ranging from scouting viable sites to structuring tax incentives that unlock infrastructure
- improvements. The BEDC has delivered out-of-the-box solutions to advance complex projects that fit Ellisfield
- and the broader Monroe County region. And whereas the BEDC continues its mission as an nonprofit corporation
- dedicated to retention, development, and attraction of quality jobs in Monroe County with a focus on
- advancing economic development strategy,
- fostering entrepreneurial activity and supporting active business retention, expansion, and attraction
- efforts. And now, they're declared that the town of Ellisville does hereby recognize and celebrate the
- 40th anniversary of the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation and expresses its appreciation
- for the BDC's ongoing commitment to build a strong regional economy supporting Ellisville's growth and
- creating opportunities for all residents of Lowell County.
- adopted this week day as of January 2025. Thank you. Thank you, Wayne. I'd like to chime in about the
- BEDC. It is called the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, but I keep telling them the E stands
- for Ellisville. So it's a Bloomington-Ellisville Development Corporation. They help Ellisville. We talk
- with them weekly. They brought in, they helped to spring Keehee to town.
- when there was a lot of negotiations and questions and answers back and forth. And so they helped land
- Kihi in our town, which I think we're better for. And because we're such a small town and we have a
- small budget, we can't afford an economic development person. They are that outsourced person for us,
- and they have a staff of four.
- I'd like to thank them and recognize their 40th anniversary. They're important. Any other council comments?
- Seeing no further business, we're adjourned.