- We call to order the Monday, February 9th, being the Ellensville Town Council. Marshal, prayer.
- Thank you, sir. Once again, I have the Father come before you and ask you for your guidance tonight.
- We ask you for your mercy for us. Please be with us if you make the decision to affect the town. We
- ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of
- America and to the Republic for which it stands,
- One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Whenever you're ready for roll
- call. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Award bid for septic receiving section.
- Who is this? Me. You. I've reviewed both bids. They're pretty much identical. I don't see any reason
- not to take the lowest bid. And it is $1,744 less than the higher bid. OK. Questions from council? Is
- there a motion from council? Make a motion to award the bid for Eric Mastin, 57,
- 30,000. Second. Motion is second. Holds a favor. Well, let's do a roll call, please. Scott Holden? Yes.
- Dan Swafford? Yes. William Ellis? Yes. Trevor Sager? Yes. Pamela Samples? Yes. Motion passes. Now, minutes
- of the February 2nd, 2026. They're not available, so we're not going to vote on those. Well, let's try
- accounts, payable vouchers, and payroll vouchers.
- Summon. Motion second, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? Anyone abstaining? Acknowledgement
- of TIF management report for 2025. Yes, this is a report that needs to be filed with the DLGF by April
- 15th and so Baker Tilley has passed this along to the town board for review and approval.
- and at the redevelopment commission meeting earlier this evening, the redevelopment commission board
- acknowledged the report. So if you would approve the report, I'd appreciate it, and then Noel can get
- it posted on the gateway. So I guess I'm sorry, you need some type of motion? If you would. Is there
- a motion to acknowledge the TIF report? I make a motion.
- Motion to the management of the tip management report for 2025. Motion second. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
- Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
- anyone. I think Carson this is when you talk. I'll try to back you up. I appreciate it. Good evening
- town board and other members. I appreciate the opportunity to be here before you tonight. With me is
- Dennis Fisher, who is our president of the board and
- When loser draw first of all I can say that the projects at Richland would not be here without the continued
- and very strong support of the else filled town board over the years and we don't take that lightly.
- There's a lot you know I I grew up in Ellisville as Dennis did as well and there's a lot that I believe
- we can be proud of in Ellisville and there's a lot that we do in Ellisville that I think is second to
- none, but I would argue that.
- The senior citizen housing projects here have been not just state, but we've won national awards as
- best practices and done a lot of good things since 1968 with that first board. And we've even got second
- generation people on the board and third generation people involved with the board like Jimmy Durnall.
- So it's been very much a community-based board and it's been something that I believe Ellsville can be
- very proud of and it's provided a lot of needed housing for those elderly households 62 and older. So
- we have last came to you about three years ago and we did renovations of all the existing housing and
- we constructed 50 new units and
- Just so that you know, thanks to your help and your support, we opened 100% occupied on day one. And
- not only did we open day one at 100% occupancy, but there is an unbelievable amount of demand of folks
- that want to be able to come up
- to Richland Senior Housing and live. And so we're in a position right now that our waiting list is about
- two years long. And so the board got together and decided that they wanted to try to make an effort
- at building 55 more one bedroom apartments. And due to the length of our waiting list, we can fill that
- on day one.
- And so some of the things about the property is that it will be for those elderly households where they
- are 62 and older. So we're talking about housing for the elderly here. Second of all, it will be housing
- that is based on income and we've got a partnership that's been really good with the Bloomington Housing
- Authority. They do not do the tenant selection. The tenant selection is completely done here locally
- and it will house those folks that need rental assistance and they will pay roughly 30% of their adjusted income.
- The project is going to be somewhere between six and six and a half million dollar project and our plans
- while federal regulation require us that we have to open up bids everywhere. We are actively seeking
- and have already contacted several local firms and my happy spot would be
- using as much Ellisville and Ellisville related firms as we can, because I think that brings economic
- development, it brings good things for the town of Ellisville to do those things. I can tell you that
- Will Harris Builders is going to be our prime contractor in this, so we are using an Ellisville contractor
- that is going to be doing this project if it's successful. And so the reason we're here tonight is
- Really, as far as what affects the town, it's a net zero situation. Currently, we have two parcels of
- land that are property tax exempt because Richland Senior Citizen Housing is a 501C3 not for profit.
- In order to receive tax credits,
- which gives us the equity and money to help construct this. It has to be a for profit entity, but no
- one is getting profit. There's no individual or corporations getting a profit out of it. It is basically
- a some zero project. And so what we're asking the town tonight through the TIF is to have property tax
- exemption.
- And again, it will not be any different than what you're doing now. You're currently not getting any
- property taxes because it's by nonprofit, but because it takes a for-profit entity to receive the tax
- credits, just like you did for phase six. We would ask that you grant us this property tax exemption.
- And if that ends up happening, then we will turn in the application in March. We will find out roughly July 1,
- And then as quick as we can get construction going after that, we would do it and it would look at about
- a 2,027 first occupancy. So that's kind of the gist of it. I'd be happy to answer any questions that
- any member might have. So you're looking at 50 new apartments. 55, one bedroom.
- And we pay all utilities. So it'll literally be the residents come in, they pay 30% roughly. There's
- some deductions they get for Medicare and out-of-pocket medical, but just easy way to think of it is
- they'll pay roughly 30% of their utilities, all maintenance is covered, all grounds keeping covered,
- and all utilities covered. So it's a really good thing. And for those of you that have not come up and
- looked at the projects that you funded last time,
- Open imitation anytime come up. We love to show it off that we have building that has movie theater.
- We have a large community building that was constructed. We have fitness center. We have a library.
- So we've got a lot of things that we're really proud of and really adds to the quality of life for elderly
- to age in place. Yeah, with these this expansion, how will it lessen your waiting list?
- Well, you know, it's really interesting because thankfully, for the most part, the only way we ever
- lose a resident is after a nursing home. So it's really hard to gauge how all that's going to work.
- But we probably have on the average about 15 vacancies a year that we fill. And so we think that based
- upon the vacancies that we'll naturally fill,
- looking at these 55 apartments and then looking at other applicants applying we still think we'll be
- close to a one-year waiting list when this is done and going so you know we we just think it's you know
- I'm very biased on it I'll admit that but I just think it's a great thing for the community it's something
- everybody can feel good about and and just does does a lot of great things with the with the community
- but it will be probably still a one-year list
- Your waiting list. Is that a majority? Is it a majority of Ellisville residents? Is it Monroe County
- residents? Well, by law, we have to open it up for anybody that wants to reside here, but just logistically,
- because people know about them in Ellisville and want to stay in the community of Ellisville. The vast
- majority are what I'll say Richland and Bean Blossom township people for the most part.
- I guess it, I don't know the exact statistics, but I can look up and get that to you. I would say that
- it's probably 60 to 65% Ellisville-ish people. Any other questions? Okay. Thank you for your time. I
- really appreciate it. With Council's indulgement, let's jump down to the last item under new business.
- I'm sorry, the second class time room business pilot agreement rich and senior citizens housing. That
- will be approved actually as part of the ordinance at your next meeting. Okay. And second reading so
- you can cross that off. Okay. All right. So we'll move on to ordinances on second reading this evening,
- which is ordinance 26 dash zero to amending the sewer deposit fee.
- So this came up at the last town council meeting and there was a proposal to raise the sewer deposit
- fee from 100 to $250 for renters. And the council asked me if there were some other options or other
- ways to look at it. And there are, and I had emailed to the council a case from the Indiana Supreme
- court and some relevant statutes with regard to collection of unpaid sewer fees.
- and I didn't know if the council thought any of those ideas were good ideas or if none of them were
- good ideas, but what you could do is you could obviously raise the deposit for the renters. You could
- start filing liens against the property when the sewer bill goes unpaid for more than 60 days. You can
- initiate litigation almost always.
- You can do both, you can initiate litigation and filing. So I didn't know what the council's pleasure
- was, but I did have a chance to talk to Sean and Amber in utilities. And what they're telling me is
- that what they already do is if a renter vacates a property and there's an unpaid sewer bill, they have
- the owner of the property make good on the bill before they allow a new renter to rent the place and
- before they hook up the sewer, which is absolutely
- permissible under the case I sent the council and the Indiana code. So then that would be between the
- person that rents and the person that rents from. Yes, because the theory is that the rent, I mean the
- landlord or the property owners in a better position to vet the tenants than is the town. And the landlord
- obviously has the option of handling their business differently so they could
- tell the tenant we're gonna pay your bill and add it to your rent. They could charge a deposit from
- the tenant. I mean, there's different ways they can handle it, but if they end up having to pay the
- bill, you shift the onus to the landlord to go find the tenant and get the money back from them if they've
- already moved out. So basically, if the landlord has a deposit, as long as they know about the bill,
- they can take that out of the deposit and then deal with it? Yes. Mike, do you know, or Jeff, what's the...
- an average bill that we wind up holding. I talked to Sean yesterday about this, Friday about this. We
- don't have a lot, or we haven't filed in a sewer lien. We can't remember when we ever had to file one.
- Just the way we have it set up with the landlord seems to work out.
- Very well. And then water is pretty simple. And water and sewer are the same. In most places, we have
- very few sewer-only bills. So it's not something we have a lot of trouble with. Can we base a water
- deposit on, I think, legally, it's based on a three-month average bill? So if we're getting them from the
- the renter or the rentee. Never mind the person renting. Do we need this ordinance to go higher? I mean,
- do we need to charge them more? Because if we're getting what they're in arrears, all this is doing
- is tying up their money for a longer time. Or do we need some type of ordinance saying that we're going
- to hold the landlord responsible? Yeah. That way they know ahead of time.
- You already sort of do that in your ordinance. What you say is... I just thought it was kind of a little
- vague, wasn't it? Well, but you...
- Your word, your ordinance is word for word exactly what the Supreme Court approved in the Jeffersonville
- case. So I'd say leave it alone. And what you said was, when you say in your ordinance, it's 52.117
- billion collection. The rates and charges may be billed to the tenant, but this billing shall in no
- way relieve the owner from the liability and the event payment is not made as hearing required. So I
- would leave it alone. Don't touch it. Does that create you any consternation?
- When you say leave it alone, you mean leave it at $100? No, I'm saying leave your ordinance alone and
- don't say, don't use any more language, different language about making the owner responsible because
- you already say that and I think that's fine the way it is now. So when we talk to the staff, they're
- the ones that recommended that we increase the amount because $100 usually doesn't cover it when somebody jumps it.
- Yeah, so if your average bill is $60, the statute says that it can't be more than an average over three
- month period. So you could raise it a little bit, but. So you could make it 180. Cut the baby in half.
- But if we're collecting it from. The one training. Does it matter if it's three months or two months?
- If we're getting the money anyway. No, she said an average of three months, right? But I'm saying they're
- getting the money from the ones renting. No, I get it. Yeah, so. So what happens is, well, hang on real
- quick. We have to apologize. I'm a little weak on where we're getting the 180 from. Is it water answer?
- That would be three. Three month average would be three months or. Yeah, three months would be right,
- but she said the average of three months.
- So if we had a 60, a 70, and an 80, we could only take 70. No. Well, the water bill, we established
- that on the basis. So this is water in. Our average user uses about 40. It used to be 4,400 or 4,500
- gallons a month. So we use it based on that. Right. Again, Mike, I'm sorry. I'm probably just lost in
- the numbers here. We're talking here wanting to increase the sewer deposit, but we can't increase it
- very much at all.
- I'm sorry. We can't increase it beyond whatever that average of the three months would be. That's fine.
- So where's the 180 come in? I apologize. I don't get that. Well, it's currently 100 and a three month
- average sewer bill is a would be $180. No, that's three months total. Yeah, total. So usually there
- are two or three months in arrears by the time they
- So it wouldn't be a three-month average, it would be three-month total. Well, it's hardly ever just
- one month. Sure, no, I get that. But Darla, is the statute a three-month average or a three-month total?
- The average is what it normally is across the board. I get it, but when we're setting the numbers. So
- if you set it at times three, you're going to be close to somebody's super bill, whether it's 50, 60, 70,
- Yeah, I get it guys. I just don't know if the statute allows us to even do that at this point. The deposit
- may not exceed the estimated average payment due from the property for a three-month period. So it does
- mean three months at a time. It does. Okay. And what it helps us do is it helps us from chasing the
- landlord. You're always two months in arrears before you ever get shut off.
- So it's not been a big hassle, and some people will pay up enough to, and they'll still be not totally
- paid up, just keep their water on. So it's an ongoing issue for a select few, and this just gives us
- a little more teeth. And if they do run out, because renters do run out, then the landlord's not bothered
- with trying to go find their 180 bucks.
- people that are landlords, it definitely helps our staff. Sometimes it helps me, because I have to get
- in the middle of it. And so if the appropriate amount of money usually covers the bill, then there's
- no argument, no heated discussions. So what is it now? It's 100 now.
- However, the board wants to weigh in on this, I'm good with. So it's not like, truly, I'm glad that
- you get to decide. This is just for SOAR. So if I'm renting for the first time in Alexville, what's
- my total deposit with? All in. All in. I don't know. I didn't bring the water deposit. We're assuming it's 300.
- And talk about water today. And are we letting them pay that over time, or are we making them pay that
- upfront? Yeah, pay that upfront. When you sign up for water, you have to pay your deposit. OK. Questions,
- thoughts from council, discussion? I mean, I think it makes sense to take it to the 180. That way these
- guys aren't chasing multiple months at the average is 62, you said, Jeff, about.
- I mean, that's a no-brainer to me. Noel, do you have any idea? I don't know if your office, OK.
- It's $50. $50? According to AI. But we do that for three months, so it's $148. It's $150 for water?
- It's $50 for water. Just $50. Just $50. And don't forget, we are legally allowed to shut their water office.
- I get it. And so what happens a lot of times they'll pay their water bill, but not their syrup. We can't
- shut shut them off for this. So the new deposit would be the 50 plus the 180. So 230 to 30 as opposed
- to 150 down. Right.
- It may be 85. The newer version is 85, so I'm pretty sure we got that passed. So 85 for water, and right
- now it's 100 for sewer? It is. And we're wanting to go another 80? It was recommended. One is not thrive work.
- Again, questions from council, discussion, motions, et cetera. So you say you can get by with 480,
- raising it? We can get by on whatever is decided. I don't want to, I mean, you know, we try to have
- a deposit for water and sewer that allows us to recoup monies for the,
- water company or the sewer company. And it keeps current rate payers from having to pay for delinquency.
- And it also allows the renters, the landlords, to have some safety net, if you will, for our business
- of providing water and sewer to individuals.
- that obviously people that rent homes should pay attention, whether they're paying their water, sewer,
- gas, power bill and that, they should be paying attention, but we try to make it like good for everybody
- concerned. I get not overcharging for deposits so people can move in and not have a lot of money tied up, but
- water and sewers a commodity you need. It's important to have the ability to have it. And it's just
- been recommended that we increase what we get based on the fact that when we do have delinquency and
- they just skip town or whatever you want to call it, we're usually left holding the bag. I think we
- recoup most of the money from our landlords,
- That is problematic as well. And our staff has to deal with it. Jeff and I have to deal with it. I mean,
- sometimes, you know, it gets pretty heated. And so these are recommended numbers that allows us most
- of the time to recoup what we need to recoup and just move on down the road. I got a question for you.
- If the deposits are made,
- Does anyone ever have trouble not making that deposit? I mean, do they come to you and say, try to negotiate
- it down or anything like that, the lower income people or? I can't answer that, but I can't remember
- anybody ever being referred to me, because usually when they can't resolve it, it goes to either me
- or Jeff, somebody asking us if we can lower the deposit. And of course, because it's an ordinance,
- we always, you know, if anybody would ever ask us, we're just like, that's the rules, so. Mike has talked
- long enough for me to get some good knowledge. Sewer was 50, it went up to 85 January 1st. I'm sorry,
- water. And our minimum in town bill with sewer and water is 5716 currently.
- Sean believes that we should at least raise it to a 150 to 175 for sewer, because that's the one we
- had the most trouble with. It's currently how much sewer? $100. And she recommended 150 to what, 175?
- Yeah. So if you have $100 sewer, I'm sorry, $100 water, I'm sorry, $85 water deposit, and 150 here at
- 235. And I'd say in most cases, we'd be in good shape there.
- with the minimum being $51.70. That's minimum, not average. Well, I have a quick question. Mr. Fisher,
- can I ask a question real quick? Do you mind stepping up? Didn't know you were going to be put on the
- spot, didn't you? You had your shot, didn't you? So are you guys paying the water and sewer, or are
- the residents? So it's coming straight?
- Okay, that was my question. We don't pay cell phone and cable hookup. Okay, thank you for that. And
- we pay the hookup fee when we build the building. Sure. Again, up to council for motions, recommendations,
- discussion, all of the above. If not, I'm gonna move to public comment. We'll come back to council.
- Okay, move to public.
- Anyone online or in chambers? Hi, Valerie Dwarf from Ellisville, First Union Methodist Church. We're
- a landlord, so I have a question. When I heard that this, if the landlord is going to be, if you cut
- them off at three months, but they still rent,
- This landlord, are we only talking about when the renter leaves and a new renter comes in, or are you
- talking about a renter who stays? If you have a renter who's three months behind, then do you come to
- the landlord for the bill and the renter still stays in? I don't believe we do. I think when somebody,
- and it happens where they'll go in arrears with their sewer but pay their water.
- So what do we do if somebody just doesn't ever pay the sewer bill? Well, we take care of other entities
- where we have to file liens on them if they own the house. But if they rent, they just skip. And so
- they actually skip and move to another house within our jurisdiction or in our water and sewer system.
- And they'll apply for a new hookup. Sure. And so I mean, it's a small town.
- We know people move on us and then skip the bill. But as she said, so they're renting and someone just
- doesn't pay the sewer bill and they're six, eight, nine months a year out. We can't evict them. Are
- we going back on them? We can't evict them and we can't shut them off. Right. And the landlord's not
- responsible? No, the landlord is responsible. They are responsible. OK, we become responsible at three
- months. That's correct. All right. If that's the case. At three months or a month? You're not responsible
- for any unpaid.
- So it could be a month. Okay, it could be a month. It could be a month. I mean, you know, probably what
- you're going to is why don't you call the landlord when this becomes a problem, right? Which I think
- we do. But it doesn't resolve itself or we wouldn't be here talking about it. Obviously. But what I
- was thinking is,
- then we as landlords have deposits as well to protect ourself. So we actually, there's money sitting
- in two pots, your pot and our pot, to cover and protect. Because I'm sympathetic to the renter and somewhat
- because it costs so much to become a renter. By the time you do first, last and deposit,
- and then utilities, but I just wanted to make sure that if we're going to be responsible, we have to
- cover ourselves with our deposits as well. Yeah, and just to be clear, so the numbers I was using before
- is numbers I asked for, not unlike what Jeff did, and so they were different numbers at that time, and
- I can't explain it, so I apologize for that. I just thought we were only responsible once the renter
- and leaves a bad debt behind. So I'm concerned for them. No, I mean, we know the first month, you know,
- after the third month, we know we're not probably gonna get paid and they're probably on their way to
- moving. I mean, so, you know, a lot of times they won't have an average bill and the water usage, which
- dictates a sewer bill, will be even larger, so. Okay, thank you.
- Anyone else? All right, question. Are we talking about sewer? Are you talking about somebody that doesn't
- have city water and just a sewer bill? No. Are you talking about anybody? I'm saying they come in, they
- get water and sewer from us, or water and sewer, and it's Eastern Richland. So we have to help them
- with this dilemma as well. And so you cannot, you cannot
- go after, you cannot shut off a water sewer service because they didn't pay their sewer. You can only
- shut them off, probably shouldn't be talking about this, you can only shut them off when they don't
- pay their water bill. But I was understanding if I'm paying water bill and sewer, it's one bill. So
- when I come in, if I don't pay them both, you don't get anything. Unless I'm just on sewer.
- Then if you're just on sewer and you pay your water bill only, then you're going to be delinquent to
- Eastern Richland. Wow. If you do, why do you let that happen? If I got water and sewer with you, when
- I pay that bill every month, I pay both bills. I don't get a choice of paying just water or just syrup.
- Well, that's true. I guess I'm misunderstanding this. You react like it's separate. I can come in and
- pay my water bill, but not pay my sewer.
- Some people have a $75 bill for water and sewer, and they only have $50, and they'll come in and pay
- the $50, and it comes off their bill until the next billing cycle. And once you get two months in arrears,
- and you're still on arrears, then we're going to shut you off until you come in and pay your full. Well,
- I'm the same way I'm sitting here is I can come in and pay my $20 water bill if that's what it is,
- or $40. I have money for service, so I walk out the door.
- Well, I've still got water, but I'm still dumping sewer down the line. In other words, to me, you shut
- it off the same time. You don't pay the water, you don't get sewer. Even though it's sewer, you can't
- get it off. It's two bills. When you get your water, it's a water sewer bill. And there's a fire hydrant
- fee, and there's a storm fee on it, too. So if you don't pay for the water that runs down your veteran
- down the street, we can't do anything about it. So what you're saying is you're taking the water bill
- off the top, essentially, from whatever's paid?
- I think what you're saying to the public, it's a water bill. This is utility bill. Yeah. Well,
- I get that. To the public, they're paying the water bill. That's what they call it. Most people won't
- say. That's correct. They do. I get what it really is.
- because there's different lines in there for different costs, but. And we're trying to cover three months
- of that utility. Right. And so if you take the 150 and the 85, you're getting real close to what Mike
- thinks it should be. And I'm fine with what, you know, I'm on that. So I'm the guy, and we're the people
- that have to chase the non-payers in not just this system, but other systems that we've managed. And
- it's a pain to have to chase it. And we're trying to put,
- A little bit up front. I think that she was talking about renters. They probably have to pay them one
- month, the first month, and the last month's rent. And you're right, it's probably a couple thousand
- dollars at least in most cases. So now you're adding another $100 to that or $280 to that. But it's
- the world we're living in. OK.
- So we've had a lot of discussion. I don't know we've gotten very far or not to your guys discredit kind
- of hours. What's the council's pleasure? So according to Jeff, if we lower it, it's not too far off
- though from what Mike was, right? The 250. That's correct. No, I think you should. So it's like $20
- maybe. Staff's recommendation was 150 to 175 for sewer.
- and we're currently at 85 for water. We're not asking to raise the water deposit. It just raised $35.
- So we think we're pretty close there. If it's close to it, Scott, then should we just go with the 250
- according to Janice? Make a motion. Well, can we legally go 250? No. No. It's got to be seven. Two different
- numbers. Right. So I think you need to be close between the 150 number, right?
- I think so. Okay. We're just talking about the sewer deposit and we think it should go from 100 to 150.
- To be fair, I think some people raise some legitimate concerns and I think that's the middle of the
- road that will work for us. So you know Catherine at 50 and that's okay.
- Okay, so what's the motion? I'm sorry, I got lost in the minutiae here. Okay, I'll patiently wait over
- here for that. Okay, I make a motion for Ordinance 2026-02, amending the Surrey Department fee from
- $100 to $150. Second. Motion and second. When you're ready. Scott Oldham? Yes. Dan Swafford? Yes.
- William Ellis? No. Trevor Sager? Yes. Pamela Samples? Yes. Motion passes. If I could add that originally
- this was an item that went along with all the other charges, rates and charges that we use for the water
- and sewer utility. So it was not one item that we picked on to try to
- change it, we updated all of our costs associated with running the utilities in the last two years,
- and these rates and charges, this is one item out of many, so. Okay. So we're finished with this topic?
- Yes? Okay. Next item on the agenda, I believe we're probably gonna wind up having the table, is appointing
- redevelopment commission members.
- Is there anyone who has suggestions in or anyone who's been interested in this? Thought I had someone
- at the redevelopment commission, but she lives out of out of town. The board needs to reappoint the
- four current members if you would, and then you still have an empty seat that was vacated by Tom Corbin.
- All right, do we need to do that by name or can we do that? I think you can do it with the motion and
- naming all four Andrew Henry, Trevor Sager, Carl Thurman and William Ellis.
- and if you would back date the terms to January 1st, 2026. So we stay on a schedule. Is there a motion?
- Make a motion to re-appoint the following members retroactive January 1st, 2026 to the redevelopment
- commission. Andrew Henry, Carl Thurman, William Ellis, and Trevor Sager. Second. Motion second.
- Roll call, please.
- Dan Swaffer? Yes. William Ellis? Yes. Trevor Sager? Yes. Pamela Samples? Yes. Motion passes. Thank you.
- Now we move to privilege of the floor, anyone having business for the council that was not part of our
- normal agenda this evening. Again, from Delft Subversion, I'm Methodist. Want to thank the street department
- for, we have a road in our
- between our two pieces of property. And sometimes we forget that it's town and town might not even remember
- it's theirs. But I want to thank them for their speedy plowing of that road for a church event that
- we had coming up. It's just another example of the fine job our street department does and did a wonderful
- job with the snow in our town, I think, this year.
- Switching gears, I serve on the board for the Greater Chamber of Ellitsville and we want to say that
- we saw a marvelous work from our town council being very sensitive to forward thinking for our town
- and very cautious at what that would do to any monies or any efforts of people
- And so we thank you for that and we look forward to an exciting 2026 working with the council. Anyone
- else online or in changes? Seeing none, we'll move now to department. Well, I mentioned that on the
- 18th we'll have another reorganization meeting at 6 o'clock. It will.
- in at 650 due to the fire territory hearing at seven o'clock in the same building and same room. Just
- like to let everybody know about that. There should be things on the website and some of our social
- media that explains what we're doing. Most of the registered voters by now should have got it
- postcard, if you will, explaining what we are doing with the reorganization. It's worth looking into.
- We need community input. And so I just thought I'd mention the two meetings on the 18th. Good time to
- get two for one. Thank you. Chief? No, thank you. Chief?
- Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, this last Wednesday, we had a swearing-in ceremony for our new canine, Frank. And
- you can see Levi Minick has him there on the lease. And he's got his new vest on. And he's a sniffer
- for electronic gear in the wall. So he does very well with that. He's put on kind of a demonstration
- for us here.
- that afternoon, and Mike got to be real friendly with the dog. He liked him very well, so. Is he a good
- boy? He's both of a good boy. Okay. And he's pretty smart, too, because he asked about his 401K9.
- Which one? I don't know. That was good. Take care right now. I'm sorry. Well, thank you. Johnny Carson,
- you were not, sir. Chief?
- planning. I just wanted to let everybody know that the planning and zoning subcommittee will have a
- public meeting here in town hall on February 17th at six o'clock. I'll be happy to get their input for
- our objectives and I just wanted to say I offered to babysit the new K-9 Frank anytime he needed it.
- He's a doll baby.
- I just wanted to let the town council know that we had the entrance interview for my state board of
- accounts audit they are currently auditing auditing years 2022 2023 and 2024. It should be completed.
- towards the end of February, beginning of March. And I'm also currently working on the annual financial
- report that will be available for review. I have to have it submitted February 28th. My goal is to have
- it to the town manager and the council. I'm really hoping by the 23rd of February, but there's a lot
- of timelines. So I'm working with Baker Tilley and the town administrator to get all those compiled.
- And just a little bit for the public. This is routine in annual. This has no malfeasance attached to
- it. This is State Board of Accounts doing their due diligence as they're supposed to do. So something
- happens every year. Anyone else? Now move to council comments. Somebody refreshes the memory on the
- fire territory meetings. The dates. Yeah, give me just a minute. Sure.
- There's only 11th. Was there not one on the 11th? March. Okay. What do you mean by this? Surely they
- didn't change. Well, I know.
- March 11th is one, wasn't it? So it's February 18th, 25th at 7 o'clock here at the Town Hall.
- Thank you. And March 11th and 25th at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Look at the IT Wizard here. Thank you, Dan.
- You're welcome. Anyone else? Anything? All right, we'll stand adjourned.