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.