Thank you again. All right. Good evening, everybody. And welcome. After some time off, we are back in
the historic NatU Hill room. Today is Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026. The time is now 504, and we will go
ahead and get started with our county council meeting. Here in the room,
We have all seven council members present, so we definitely have a quorum, and we will go ahead and
get started. So all those that are available, please stand so we can recite our Pledge of Allegiance.
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God,
Okay, thank you very much. Do we have anybody that would like to make some changes to tonight's agenda?
Yes, counselor.
Madam President and Council, I have two changes. Council, the recorder has requested that their request
for an additional appropriation to be tabled to the next council meeting. I move to table the recorder's
item 9A to the July 14th council meeting. And the clerk's chief deputy has requested that their additional
appropriation requests be pulled from the agenda as they will utilize current appropriations. Council,
I move to table indefinitely the clerk's items 9D, 9E,
and nine F second. Okay. We got a motion in a second to amend tonight's agenda. Are there any other
further questions or comments or any changes for our agenda? All right. Seeing none. And because we
all are in person, um, we can do a voice vote. So all those in favor of amending or approving tonight's
agenda as amended signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed. Same sign. Okay.
motion carries. Next up, we will have public comment. So if there is public comment that is here in
the NETU Hill Room that would like to make comment on items that are not on tonight's agenda, you can
come up to the lectern here in the room, state your name for the record, and you'll have up to three
minutes. And if you are participating virtually, please raise your hand via Teams, and we will call
on you. So it looks like we already have a familiar face here.
And we'll give you a few minutes again, state your name for the record and you'll have up to three minutes.
Hello, my name is Kaden Smith. I would say good evening, but it's not a good evening due to the actions
or rather lack thereof of the board of commissioners. We were all aware of their absence at both the
jail working group as well as their declined
their declining invite at the attempt of a first jail subcommittee meeting that was not able to happen
because we didn't have quorum. I think it's important to state that when we have all these different
people that will come to the council and say, this is what I want you to do, or when they sign into
a letter saying, this is what I want you to do, if the council says no, which is the council's right,
then none of these people want to state collaboratively. We had the mayor sign onto the letter. She doesn't.
She didn't have herself or anybody else there. The sheriff was gung-ho, I need this jail. And I think
the council's all in agreement that we need a jail. But if the council says no to this, it's not that
we're not saying no to a jail. We're saying yes to something. And that's just a different location.
And I just struggle that I don't think the sheriff understands that.
And I'm also concerned with the Board of Commissioners. If they have a weekly meeting on Thursday, then
I don't understand. I saw Commissioner Maduro posted online that they need two commissioners present
in the room and able to appoint somebody to this committee if they so choose so, which if that's accurate,
I just don't know how you consecutively have multiple meetings in a row where two of your three members
are not physically present in the room.
I find that very concerning that our publicly elected officials are not at their meetings. However,
beyond the sad parts, I would like to make a few quick thank yous, believe it or not. First, to Councilor
Feidl, because she did show up to the subcommittee
meeting and stepped forward because I think that jail can be a really positive thing and can be something
that we are really successful at. However, I think there's often a time that you need to step aside
and if you realize that you can't do the project, I'm looking at the board of commissioners right now,
then it is time to either respectfully resign because you were elected for a four year term and if you
can't consecutively
make meetings or effectively legislate, then it's better to resign at the top of your game. We've all
seen sports players that will continue their career when it's just going downhill. And while I respect
and appreciate the service of all of the board of commissioners members, I think it's appropriate to
know when to step aside. Finally, as counsel, I urge you to just try and work collaboratively. It's
hard out there, but I think the council is one of the few
that's in the county that wants to work for the people, and I urge them to do their best when others
aren't coming to the table. Thanks. Thank you. All right. Is there anybody else that is in the room
that would like to make a comment on items not on tonight's agenda, or if you are participating virtually? Seeing
take a point of privilege, Council, just for a few seconds to address the public comment there. And
the only thing that I will say is, from my understanding, reading the B Square and listening to you,
Councilor Feidl, there was no quorum because our body of the subcommittee is actually too big, which
is actually something that we'll be working on this evening. But I think the reason why the commissioners
could not officially appoint
a person for them is because they didn't have a meeting and won't have one until next Thursday,
July 2nd. Is that correct? That's correct. They had previously canceled the meeting before the working
subgroup had been formed. So their first opportunity to meet and appoint someone is July 2nd. OK. OK.
Now, I definitely will say it was a little disappointing not to have Quorum. But I just want to be fair.
Their reason is not so much that they didn't want
to participate because I believe Commissioner Madeira was in that room, but they just haven't had a
meeting to appoint anybody. So I just wanted to take a point of privilege there. So next up, since we
don't have any other public comment, we will move for department updates. And so department updates
are for items that are not on the agenda. So is there any departments that are present that would like
to give a 10 minute, no more than 10 minute,
presentation on items not on the agenda, whether you are here in person or virtually via teams. Okay,
see none. And the other thing that I will say to just kind of keep this show going because we use all
of the alphabets for tonight's agenda since we have a jam packed one is
I can just ask my council colleagues to help us get through this in departments as well as you are presenting
to as you will keep those briefs so we can keep it moving here. So next up is item number six which
is the consent agenda items. Council I'll be reading four items. I move to approve the following consent
agenda items for June the 23rd.
The Youth Service Bureau's request and fund 9137-0000 Bloomington Afterschool Network to create account
line 20210 program supplies. B. The Youth Service Bureau's request and fund 9139-0000 Monroe County
Youth Council to create account line 20210 program supplies. C.
The highway department's request in fund 1173-0000 motor vehicle highway restricted for a category transfer
of $40,000 from the supplies category to the services category. And lastly D, the highway department's
request in fund 1197-0000 stormwater management for a category transfer of $50,000 from the services
category to the supplies category.
All right, we got a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion from council on this item?
And seeing none, don't usually take public comment on consent agenda items. So all those in favor of
approving consent agenda items as presented signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign.
Okay, motion carries.
Next up, we will start with a series of hiring freeze reviews and we will start with the highway department.
Council, I move to open for discussion and possible approval of the highway department's request to
be exempt from the hiring freeze and be allowed to hire and fund 1176-0000 motor vehicle highway one
full time mechanic. Second. Okay. We got a motion and a second and we are joined here by Ms. Lisa Ridge. Welcome.
Good evening. So we had a mechanic that's going to go back to being an equipment operator. He used to
install water lines, wants to keep up his certification. So he's gonna leave, I believe his last date
is next Monday. So we wanted to request to fill that position. Thank you. Any questions or comments
on this item?
Yes, Councilor Henry. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Lisa, for being here. I wanted to just
ask a question about the fund, I mean, motor vehicle highway, because where you're drawing from and
that that fund is funded by gas tax receipts in the state, right? Correct. Do you have any feeling right
now, given that the gas tax has been suspended for two months in the state, what that might be doing
to your budget for the remainder of the year at this point?
not at this point. We've worked with AIC actually, and I believe Judy Sharp had forwarded a letter that
AIC had sent to Governor Braun's office. We did watch the press conference that he said that he would
make the counties whole and replace those funds that would be lost during that suspension. So we're
relying that that is going to be the case.
that we will replenish those funds. We did look at it, and we do have a cash balance. That's why we've
always kept the cash balance that we have if we have a couple difficult months. Looking at our numbers
right now, we're still pretty even to what our distributions have been, but it runs a couple months
behind, of course. So if we need to do a little bit into our cash, then we will. We're just trying to
maintain and move forward.
I'm thinking ahead a little. I don't know what August or September is going to look like, but just trying
to get it out there. I appreciate you looking ahead on it, too. Thank you. Anybody else? Yes, Councillor
Decker. I just had a quick clarifying question. Is that is a fund that whatever is collected this month
you see down the road maybe a couple months, a few months? Yeah, the distributions and it's a really
big calculation if you want to look into how they calculate your
your monthly distributions and all the different pots of money where gasoline tax and goes in the throughout
the state. When I reached out to our association when they did the first month of calculations, they
estimated across the state that the counties would lose about three million. So that was across the
state of Indiana. So we were averaging that we were looking at, you know, three million divided by the
92 counties.
as an average for the first month. I have not seen the new numbers for the second month because they
included the other tax into that. Anybody else have any other? Yes, counselor. Yes, to be clear,
this number, the numbers are sent to us from the state. So there's really little we can do other than
to contact the state to say,
you know, help us out with revenue to cover what you have cut. But this is not up to the auditor. She
just takes the numbers. The highway department takes the numbers. And to be clear, the highway does
not spin into the red. So they're looking at the numbers, and we can rely that they will have to make
adjustments, and they will. Anybody else? Oh, yes. Ms. Brown.
Yes, I had the privilege of speaking with Fred Van Dorp from the Auditor of State, formerly with the
DLGF. So he walked me through and explained there's about 23 different taxes that make up the motor
vehicle highway and local road and street distribution. So they're still working to get better numbers,
as Ms. Ridge said. However, we're going to see the decline in August and September most heavily because
of that delay.
What I've been told is that our distribution could be cut in half, essentially. However, I've been told
the same, that they're already in talks to make counties whole. It's just when that occurs. So we do
think that the revenue will be replaced. It's just when. Thank you for that. Anybody else on this matter?
Seeing none, we'll go to public comment.
If there's public comment on this item, you can raise your hand via Teams or come forward to the lectern
here in the room. And seeing none, maybe please have a roll call vote. Councilor Iverson? Yes. Councilor
Feinberg? Yes. Councilor Hawk? Yes. Councilor Wilts? Yes. Councilor Henry? Yes. Councilor Decker? Yes.
Yes. Motion passes unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. Next up, we have some items from the Youth Services
Bureau. Council, I move to open for discussion and possible approval of the Youth Service Bureau's request
to be exempt from the hiring freeze and be allowed to transfer employees and fund 1114-0166 lit special
purpose YSB into the following full-time positions, director, deputy director, and program director.
What did I say? Program coordinator. I'm sorry. I meant program coordinator. Thank you. All right. We
got a motion and a second and we are joined by the great people of the Youth Services Bureau. Good evening.
It's time for me to retire. I told you last September I would not come to another budget hearing so
I got to get out of here quickly.
I hope to retire by August 21st and have Vanessa Schmidt take over that position. We're asking for that
to happen as of Monday that you develop a training line item so that I can overlap with her. She needs
the title of executive director for us to transfer federal grants, lots of federal logins.
for our licensure. There are just a whole bunch of administrative things that when she has the title,
she can do that. And so I need to be in a training line item in order to facilitate that to go smoothly
so we don't have any hiccups with all of that. Then once I'm gone, we are asking to promote Sarah Jamieson
to the deputy director position and Emily Arthur to the program coordinator position. That would then allow the
development and training position to remain vacant under the hiring freeze for the remainder of the
year until the hiring freeze is lifted or unless we felt it was deemed necessary to come back and ask
to fill that position. One of the things would give us about a 40-day overlap in terms of in time to
get those things done, the administrative transfers. The most exciting news is that that will
If these things happen because of the difference in our seniority and longevity of both the Deputy Director
and Vanessa and I, it would save you $29,000 in salaries, $11,000 in benefits for a total of about $40,000
between now and end of the year. So it won't cost anything. We can transfer money from the Deputy Director
position and the empty
training and development position to cover the line item for me for those 40 days. So what do you think?
Well, we think that you have done a great job and we applaud your efforts and hopefully your wish comes true.
by the 21st or else we'll look at you in September. So we thank you so much for that. I'm going to say
to all of you, don't wait till you're 72 to retire. I waited too long, I think, but I'm ready. Good
word of advice. I want to thank all of you, too. The council has supported the Youth Services Bureau
forever. And what you do through us, I think, and other things that you do, the families of Monroe County
are really supported in their children.
We were told by the federal people who came to audit us, and it was quite an extensive two-day audit,
by the way, of every aspect of Youth Services Bureau. They were fascinated at the unified support for
families and children in this county across agencies, across departments, across government, and they
have not seen that anywhere, and they really thought that we should be something that they could promote
federally and nationally, and I said,
go ahead, tell them, because it's true. We've done that as a county for decades. And I wanna thank you
for continuing that. Thank you so much. Does anybody have any questions or comments? I see Councilor
Hawke has her hand up. Yes, we had been receiving an update on the population count, how many from the
county, how many from other counties, that for some reason perhaps you were,
involved with other things, but I think it would be very helpful if we could see that, what we're doing.
Do you know what the population is today? We actually just have one resident today. We just have one
resident currently. We had a few exits over the weekend, so we actually just have one resident. Okay,
right now you just have one, but your average is? Yeah, usually about seven to nine kiddos.
reading what you're saying. I'm not ignoring you. I'm just reading it. Okay. If you could send us an
update on that, I think that'd be very helpful because we do have to recognize that all the children
there are not from Monroe County. However, many of them that are placed there from not just Monroe County,
but other counties, we receive a reimbursement from the state and that
ends up being quite a bit of operating money for them, which we used to keep that set aside. And that
was the money that we used to do some major upgrades there at the building. But a couple of years ago
or so, we pulled that money back and that is now sitting in one of the funds that is the revenue goes
into the county general fund. So they are helping to support their own
That is correct, and we should bring in about a million dollars this year. At least. I didn't want to
get this amount, but I thought it was a little more than a million. It will be a little more. I just
like to underestimate. And every year a contract is signed with the state saying how much each night
would be. So I just wanted to make sure that the public understands that, because many times they'll
say, they believe that we're supporting the other counties, and we are.
I think we are, but we do get some of that money back. That's correct. Other questions or comments on
this? All right, seeing none, we'll go ahead and move to public comment. Raise your hand via Teams or
you can come forward to the microphone here in the room. And seeing none, maybe please have a roll call vote.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
and simultaneously amend the 2026 salary ordinance to have the account line in order to allow for a
period of training of the YSB director position. Second. All right. We've got a motion in a second.
What would you like to add to this one? That just allows you to pay me for the 40 days while
we're overlapping and in the $40,000 savings that was included in there. And we've seen this happen
before through other departments. Okay.
Any other questions or comments on this item? Seems clear. All right. Seeing none, we'll move on to
public comment. If there's public comment, raise your hand via Teams or come forward to the podium here
in the room. And seeing none, maybe please have a roll call vote. Councilor Hawk. Yes. Councilor Wilts.
Yes. Councilor Henry. Yes. Councilor Decker. Yes. Councilor Crossley. Yes.
Councilor Iverson? Yes. Councilor Feidl? Yes. Motion passes unanimous. Thank you very much. Thank you.
All right. Next, we will move into our presentations and discussions. I'm going to ask TSD, are you
able to monitor that's in front of Councilor Haug? Can we get the closed captions turned on that monitor, please?
In the meantime, I will welcome Jamie Boesler, which. Oh, I see. Yes, OK.
All right, if you wanna go ahead and come to the table here, she is the Director of Government Affairs
with the Association of Indiana County Council, which is also known to us as AIC. And she will give
us an update on the property tax levies and the new locum tax mechanisms for our counties. So welcome.
Thank you. If you don't mind giving me just a second to make sure I'm hooked up so that I can speak.
present accordingly to your on your teams.
be able to present.
this audio. Should be able to share your screen now.
can see that a little bit okay I'm happy to share it with you afterwards as well well thank you for
asking me to join this evening I don't normally come and present live in front of a council so you're
my first more so usually through our district meetings we've had a lot of virtual meetings recently
hopefully some of you've been able to participate we've done several recordings I said by this time
in the process that there's probably
possibly some people are tired of hearing from me, but I was asked to come and I am happy to be here.
So thank you for inviting me. My name is Jamie Bolser and I'm the current Director of Government Affairs
with the Association of Indiana Counties. Just a little bit of a brief background on myself. I come
most recently from the Department of Local Government and Finance.
where I was the chief of staff and deputy commissioner. And prior to that, I was a budget director at
the department. And before that, I spent 10 years as the chief financial officer at two school districts.
I was a former county assessor and county council president. So I've sat in your seats before and certainly
respect the work that you guys do and understand some of the challenges that you have in front of you.
With that,
This is overall pretty much the same presentation that I provided to our County Council Association
last week. I don't know if any of you guys were in attendance for that.
Thank you for joining So I just wanted to start by unpacking a little bit of some of the legislative
chain Changes that have occurred whether it be within the property tax reform let reform the must overview
that I'm sure you've heard a lot about And then also present to you the interactive portal which all
access to that has been released to the county auditors over the weekend and so that should all be active
currently and
So with that said, just jumping right in to the some of the Senate and World Act one changes. It phase
out the Homestead standard deduction and you can see hopefully from this screen that phase out for pay
26, which is this year. The standard deduction is 48,000 and you will see that slowly diminish until
it phases completely out for pay 31.
which is the 2030 assessment date. What I will say is homestead deductions as a flat amount, which is
where we are currently, but we're phasing away from, homesteads as a flat amount is more beneficial
to the lower assessed value. The reason that's the case is because sometimes it can exceed a higher
percentage of a lower assessed value home.
the flat amount doesn't however on the other side the flat amount does not keep up with assessed value
increases and it doesn't fluctuate as that assessed value increases or decreases with that said
And I want to point out that Senate rule act one from the 2025 session also phases in an increase to
the homestead supplemental deduction. Again, it's a deduction, which means any time anything's deducted
or exempted, it shifts that tax base. It shifts that burden around to other property owners.
This will phase in this year. It's 40% uniquely last year. It was 37 and a half percent. So it did tick
up a little bit for this tax billing cycle for pay 26. However, you can see it will phase completely
in and pay 31 to two thirds. So every Homestead eligible and Homestead applied property will be two
thirds deducted once this completely phases in.
Again, the benefit by switching to the percent of the AV is it keeps up with those fluctuations as that
assessed value changes over the time.
again, those deductions to change. However, you have to be, you have to keep notice that it does have
a unique disproportionate impact to higher assessed valued homes. And let's just jump right into that
to show you how that changes. This may be a little bit harder to see, but what you can see at the top,
the top box, you can see new calculation that's assuming the new statutory changes in effect and showing
you how it would impact a tax bill.
The bottom section is that old calculation. You can see the column that says 24 pay 25. We have an assumed
assessed value at the statewide average AV of 250,000.
You can see that that standard homestead is applied of $48,000. And then you can see that the 37.5%
supplemental is applied. So basically, all I'm doing is just taking you down and stepping you through
that property tax calculation order of operations. And then moving forward to 2018.
You can see that I've implemented the new 48,000. We've implemented the new 40% supplemental. We also
did assume a 7% increase in gross assessed value. That's a statewide average. That's why I applied that
and assumed that.
And you can see all the way to the right is the 2030 pay 2031. There is a compound assumption of a 5%
growth factor in that assessed value. However, you can also see where we have phased that homestead
standard down to zero. And then we have the full implementation of that homestead supplemental.
deduction. And again, that new top that portion up there, you can see that the overall tax liability
for this property is 33%.
of the gross assessed value. However, if you look down, you can see under the old calculation, it would
have been 52%. So you can kind of see where it's stepping in year over year and the overall thought
of how it will start to diminish the overall tax burden for homestead properties. And the plus minus
is a 17% differential from where it would have been as it phases through.
Taking that forward, all I did here was just show the lower impact, and then the next slide is a higher,
I'm sorry, a lower assessed value impact, where the next slide then is a higher assessed value. And
you can see from just the average to the lower side of the assessed value, this is just an assumed AV
of 100,000.
It benefits while it still is beneficial from the old calculation to the new calculation. It's not as
staggering as a middle of the road assessed value. This would have a 1% overall tax burden where the
other one had a 17% decrease.
And then moving forward to the higher assessed value of a $600,000 home, you can see it has a higher
benefit. Again, that's because you're not just applying more of a flat deduction, but you're applying
the deduction based off of percent of value.
Senate Enrolled Act 1 also created and phases an increase. This is called the 2% circuit breaker deduction.
There's a lot of similar words that the state has used. When you're applying a credit or a deduction,
you can see there's a homestead standard deduction. There's a homestead supplemental deduction. Now,
there's a 2% circuit breaker deduction. What that means is it's assessed value that's
captured in that 2% circuit breaker category. That is residential property that's non homestead rentals.
which I think you have probably quite a few of those here in Monroe County. It would also capture and
include apartment complexes, agricultural land. There are some rural communities that this impacted
quite significantly different because of the amount of ag land disproportionate to other property types.
But you can see that this will phase in. So the homesteads, those are considered a 1% circuit breaker bucket
right, there'll be two thirds deducted of that liability by pay 31. The two percenters, again, apartments,
agricultural land, residential non-homesteads, it will phase an up to one third deducted. Again, I will
also add that any time a deduction or exemption is applied, it shifts that tax burden, right, because
it changes the overall property tax liability.
uniquely as we begin talking about credits, that's a dollar for dollar deduction or credit to the tax
bill. So it's two lenses, right? As a homeowner, it's a dollar for dollar credit off of their tax bill
when you're talking about credits. However, as a unit of government, it's a dollar for dollar proportionate
loss as those credits are applied.
Enrolled Act 1 of the 25 session, and also it was touched in House Enrolled Act 1210 from this past
year's session, converts deductions to credits. So again, deductions, you can shift that over to the
other underlying property types. However, credit is a dollar for dollar loss for the, or credit to the
property owner. However, it's a dollar for dollar proportionate loss to the units of government.
And you can see here, and I won't go into all of them unless you have credits, but you can see here
which deductions were converted over to credits and what those end up being is they're considered like
a circuit breaker now, right? You have the constitutional circuit breaker caps and these are now applied
as like a separate circuit breaker type.
And House Enrolled Act 1 of the 25 and House Enrolled Act 1427 also began to touch business personal
property. It increases the personal property tax exemption from $80,000 to $2 million. That begins for
26-Pay 27. And it also changes the 30% minimum valuation floor.
personal property can now go below the 30% of that value. The thought behind this was 90% of the personal
property filers are 2 million or below. However, 90% of the total assessed value
is above two million. So if you think about it in form of small business filing compared to large industrial,
the state's philosophy when adopting this was we're going to still capture the largest portion of assessed
value personal property filing. In my hometown, it'd be like your Chryslers or your General Motors,
right, your industrial. However, the majority of the amount of filers are now going to be
exempt from having to file. But the majority of that value, they said, will remain. This slide here
is important because, again, you have to know the order of operations. Property taxes are a large sector
of your overall revenue stream between property taxes and local income taxes. So, again, by exemptions
and deductions, that shifts the overall burden of that tax. However, once you get into
the circuit breakers and everything below that. That's a credit dollar for dollar to the home or to
the property owner. And it's a proportional loss to all the underlying units. I do want to touch on
House Enrolled Act 1499 from the 2023 session and then Senate Enrolled Act one from the 2025 session.
It put a cap on the maximum levy growth quotient. So this wasn't new with Senate Enrolled Act 1. It
actually started for pay 24. Pay 25 was this way, where it was capped at 4%. Senate Enrolled Act 1 simply
extended it to pay 26. So it basically allowed local units to increase their maximum levies by 4%.
However, you can see what it would have otherwise been had that not been capped. Pay 24 would have been
at 5%, pay 25 at a 5.5%, and pay 26 at 6%. I will say going forward,
That was not extended. So for pay 27 right now, the way it stands, it was originally estimated to be
about 5.7. I think it's leaning closer to 6% right now. So that cap is being removed for pay 27.
I won't spend a whole lot of time on this. However, on these next couple slides, I want you to have
them for your reference. And there's always just small provisions. And sometimes the smallest wording
within a bill could have a large impact, right? So House Enrolled Act 1392 allowed more flexibility
for financial institution tax, or FIT tax, and commercial vehicle excise tax, receive it.
So basically, you could use it for any legal fund and use. However, this last session, it did extend
that to excise tax. Well, the difference between excise tax, and your auditor can probably confirm this
as well, and fit and sieve it, fit and sieve it are minimal in comparison to excise tax. Excise tax
is a lot larger base of revenue,
So by right now the state tells you how you are to allocate those funds It says excise you
have to proportionally place it in your general fund in your debt funds And it does the same for schools.
It does the same for municipalities Well schools capture a large portion of the state's debt eighty
six percent
of the overall state's debt that's paid out of property taxes is assigned to schools. So if schools
no longer have to receipt that high amount for excise and they can move it to any other legal fund,
which would be their operations fund, there is another statute that says, well, wait a second, debt
has to be funded. So it will inflate that debt levy. And what you could see is increase a higher levy
means a higher tax rate. A higher tax rate means more property taxes due, right? But it also means the
underlying units of government are going to experience more circuit breaker loss. So I say that to be
very mindful. We're all tied in this together, right? Every unit impacts another unit because of circuit breaker.
And the more we're extending some of those circuit breaker credits, the more impact that that could
have potentially on your guys' budget as well. These next couple slides, what they're basically doing
is just showing you that. In a real time example, Avon Schools, for example, has all of those bonds.
And this is just showing you what that impact or that inflation amount could be if they shifted that excise
away from their debt funds in order to collect more on their debt funds. So that's what those slides
are. I won't spend much more time there. However, this one, you can see that the debt and referendum
levies, again, 86, oh, I'm sorry, 88.6%, 88.6%.
of the 2026 certified levies for debt and referendums came from schools. You can see by the charts that
counties overall have a very small portion of 2%. So counties by and large by the unit of government
throughout the state and Monroe County is no different, has very little debt in comparison. Counties
overall decreased their debt levies 2.6 million
Cities and towns statewide, and this is based off of debt that's funded by property tax revenue. Okay.
Cities and towns decreased their debt by 20 or 20% or 39.9 million. However, if you look at the school line,
schools increased statewide their debt 171.7 million dollars again that's protected from circuit breaker
loss and you may be asking why why are you sharing this with us Jamie how what does what does it matter
well it does right because as we're looking at impacts of senate ruled act one or local driven decisions
these all play an impact to what your
net revenue collections are. Because if schools are increasing their levies, and in this case, $171.7
million statewide, those tax rates are increasing. As those tax rates increase, you can't just say,
hey, Senate Enrolled Act 1 is the underlying cause of some of our additional revenue, but some of just
the local decisions are as well. And so with that, real quick, let me see if I can
Maybe stop sharing this will see how quickly I can do this here. And I'm going to bring up. We're going
to see if I can just share my screen. I just thought I'd go ahead and take a look at Monroe County.
Can you guys?
Sharing quite yet, is it? Hang on just a second. Let me try that again.
If that's showing or not, it's not, is it? All right, one more time. And I'll just read it to you.
If not, you know what, I'll just read it to you. But we will want to try to get that where we can, just
because you'll want to see the LIMP model here.
I'm going to do is just look at yours real quick. I have a spreadsheet that takes a look at the year
over year growth and just looking at the summary by county, by unit type. So from Monroe County,
like Jamie, this is great. We're hearing all this statewide, but what about Monroe? Monroe County
Just looking at certified property tax levies cities and towns within Monroe County Are seeing a reduction
of 3.1 million in collections, but I always like to see numbers But then I want to see what's inside
the numbers. Okay, so keep that 3.1 million in your mind and I'll tell you what those numbers mean here
in a second the county is seeing an increase on property tax collections one of the reasons is
There's population that is not overlapped by a severe town in Monroe. Those usually have lower property
tax rates, right? So you're going to lose less circuit breaker in some of those areas and based off
those rates. So your net levy, again, this is considering circuit breaker. Your net levy increase is
1.1 million. Libraries.
saw a slight decrease. Schools, though, let's take a look at those. Schools saw a $1.5 million increase
in collection rates. So I thought, okay, well, let's first look at the year-over-year fund detail for
one school. So I picked one school in your county. And if you take a look at the overall
by fund level. They have a couple of referendums. They have a debt service line and a pension debt.
Of those four lines, I thought, well, let's see if additional debt was issued. 3.6 million is being
increased in debt collection. So if, say, assessed values in a certain area begin to increase, sometimes
schools will take out additional debt.
to keep a flatline tax rate, right? So with this, the school is seeing a 3.6 million additional intake
in revenue for debt fund. Their operations fund is seeing a decrease of 1.6 million. One of the things
that I'm, so it's a net gain overall of 2 million, right? Just to debt service more so than operations.
However, my point in this is,
While Senate Enrolled Act 1 may have had some cause and effect on the school's operations fund because
of some of those post-circuit breaker levies, so did the increase or the not allowing the tax rate to
decrease if debt fell off.
So I'm saying that to say there are some local decisions that drive those circuit breakers to based
off of what that overall rate is doing so in the case of a dish Certifying additional three million
dollars in debt levy collection that's going to have an impact on their own operations Tax rate which
will have a cause and effect as well. Okay, then I said well, okay, let's go ahead and take a look at the
the cities and towns overall, 3.1 million deficit or reduction in overall collections. And I thought,
well, okay, let's take a look at that. So if I take a look at, let's say Bloomington, let me pull up
here just because obviously that's your biggest municipality. Give me just a second here.
how I said overall cities and towns allowed a lot, a large portion of the debt to fall off. Well, Bloomington
was no different. So even though they're seeing a decrease in funding, the large portion of that is
just because debt was falling off. So it doesn't mean necessarily they're losing. Let's see, overall
Bloomington alone is 3.2 million, right?
And if I take a look at just the debt funds, let's see here. Depth funds.
they had one bond decreased by 3.4 million. So that alone is a large portion. If the city of Bloomington
is saying, hey, we're losing a large portion of that is just their debt naturally falling off, which
it normally does through an amortization schedule, right? So that's their large part. I think overall
their non-debt funds saw a minimal decrease of just about 66,000. Let me,
verify that here, though, so that I don't. Yeah, $65,000 overall. So while their general fund and some of the
Those decisions are much like what you guys have towards your budget hearings every year, right? You
have all your maximum levy generated funds and you get to decide, okay, do we need a little bit more
in our health fund this year? Do we decrease some of our general fund but we stay within the maximum
levy or however those decisions work? And the cities are no different with those decisions, right? So
even though they allowed their general fund to decrease 1.9 million, they allowed their NVH
fund to increase $1.2 million. So that was a local driven decision, right, as to just where to allocate
some of those levy collections. But overall, year over year, it's in their non-debt funds, they're seeing
a $65,000 change. And then we'll look at lit here in a second. But let me get back to our PowerPoint.
And this team's meeting here.
I'm still in the Teams meeting. It looks like you are. Right. Okay. Well, I'm back in. So let's see.
Let's just do it this way.
Okay, now looking at the total certified levies, the overall statewide, you can see schools account
for 44%. So if you're thinking of the property tax collection pie as a, how you're percentiling that
out based off of collections, schools are 44%, counties are around 18%, just shy. Cities and towns account
for about 24%, and then you can see the rest there.
This is net levies. So again, certified levies are the are what you have control over as a adopting
unit of government. It is what you are locally deciding and driving. And that's important to take a
look at those certified levies. What's the local decisions issuing more debt?
allowing debt to fall off compared to the net levies. The net levies assume the circuit breaker loss
and all of the credits that are applied post circuit breaker. So you can see here that that does change
things. Counties went from 17.55 percent of the total certified. They received 18 percent of the total net.
Going into the lit reform and must overview the current local income tax is set to now expire in twenty
twenty eight. You can see right now that how those rates are applied. The expenditure rate includes
certified shares which includes levy freeze and school PTRC economic development.
which you guys do have, public safety, which includes PSAP, any fire department, volunteer fire department,
correctional rehab facility, that's also known as just a jail lit, if you guys have a jail lit, EMS,
judicial and acute care hospital, so that's one bucket. Then you have another bucket, and that bucket
cannot exceed 2.5%.
And then the special purpose rate cannot. Well, it's generated by state statute and the expiration date
of being able to collect that is outside. It's specifically driven in statute. I think you may have.
I'm almost afraid to go off of this, though, because every time I do, I feel like I have troubles getting
back. I think you guys do. Yeah.
This is how the current lit structure looks. It's broken up again by the certified chairs, public safety.
But you can see as we go into look at the new reform,
The biggest change between this old makeup and the new is where the tax base is coming from. If you
think of your net assessed value on property taxes as your tax base, the adjusted gross income is your
tax base for lit. So right now, the adjusted gross income is being used of the entire county to fund
every single unit that receives distribution. So what that means is, and I use my home county as an
example, we are a former co-it county. So what that means is we have a lit council. The lit council
is comprised of municipalities and the county.
Your percent of vote is based on your population percentage. The city of Kokomo back in 2010 time frame
saw a very large annexation. So where the city is now 71% of the overall population of the county. So
based off of that former break or makeup of how the lit council votes, the city alone of Kokomo has
over 51% of that vote. They can vote on the lit rate for the entire
all county residents in Howard County without even considering the non-municipal areas or the municipal
areas that are not within those boundary lines. So there's a concern there of taxation without
representation, certainly, right? But then also you have to also understand how these funds are divided
up. So you get all this lit revenue, right? Each unit gets a proportion of it.
How that's decided currently is based off property tax levies. So there's the perverse incentive to
raise that property tax levy to be able to get more lit distribution, right? Just the same, there's
almost the opposite occurring where it de-centrifies you to decrease your property tax levy. So if you
were under maximum levy,
which you guys were, I know last year. But if you're under your maximum levy, it's also going to cost
you that following year on lit distribution too, because one has an effect on the other. So those are
some of the reasons that our legislators cited when saying this is why we're needing a little bit of
reform. And also you're seeing the dollars don't necessarily follow
that taxpayer. You're seeing areas that are non-municipal where they're subsidizing largely some of
the municipal areas. Obviously, I don't care if you're municipal or non-municipal, you're all within
the county. But they wanted to be able to show a little bit and it be locally decided what that subsidy
is if so permitted. So this is the makeup of the old structure
And again, I always say, and if you've listened to a presentation of mine, I will never have a lit discussion
without having a property tax discussion because one influences the other right now, right? There is
that perverse incentive on that property tax levy for that income. Just looking at the compound growth
rate from 2022 for property tax levies to 2026, you can see counties grew for the major unit types at
the lowest rate. So if you're
growth lowest on the property tax side, what are you doing on the lit side? Hand in hand, right?
Do you want to talk about what the overall rates are? Statewide, the average, again, the expenditure
rate cap right now is 2.5%. However, the statewide average is 1.62. So there's plenty of capacity. We
talk about capacity and who needs capacity.
Right now there's a ton of capacity already that's existing in the current list structure, right? And
then I would also say that's the same from the PTR. PTR, the average throughout the state, 58 counties
have a PTR. While that maximum rate is 1.25%, the average throughout the state is 0.36. Again, that's
being eliminated as we move forward. This is what the new rate structure will look like.
it is going to be stacked similar similarly to how property taxes are stacked. So what the General Assembly
has said is right now the county service rate is going to be 1.2% not to exceed the fire protection
and EMS not to exceed 0.4 not to exceed 0.2. Those three combined while they total 1.8 those three combined
cannot exceed 1.7.
The municipal tax rate, whether it's a small or a large defined municipality, cannot exceed 1.7. From
what I took a look at, you have two, quote unquote, large municipalities in Monroe and one small. And
then the total lit rate cannot exceed 2.9. So this is the current makeup, what will begin in 2029.
This is the new structure then, and how this changes is unique. Right now, the tax base for the entire
lit is the adjusted gross income for the entire county. Moving forward, the county service rate of 1.2,
since every taxpayer is a county taxpayer, right, for the county services, you will utilize the adjusted
gross income of the entire county. Fire protection and EMS, universal service,
countywide AGI, okay? So it's a larger tax base. Non-municipal, which are your townships, your libraries,
not to exceed .2, again, it's the adjusted gross income of the entire county. It's that larger tax base.
It's the larger pool. Larger tax base, you need a smaller rate most of the time to generate the revenue,
okay? Municipalities that are less than 3,500, the adopting body
are you the county council? The reason is because it's utilizing the county wide AGI and what they wanted
to make sure was there was representation for those that would be paying that tax. So the municipalities
that are less than 3500 is the AGI of the entire county. However, if I'm a large municipality, which
you have to, they have the choice. The county council can adopt that small municipal rate
for all the municipalities that are less than 3,500, you've established this rate, then the
large municipalities have a decision to make. They're going to say, do I want to opt into that rate
or do I want to opt out of that rate? Well, the higher the rate that's established for that
small municipality, the more incentive they have to opt into it because it's the larger tax base, right? However,
the small municipality to ensure that there's not double taxation by the same unit type. If Bloomington
opts out of the small municipal rate that you establish, their AGI goes with it so that you're not double
taxing a taxpayer. So you have the large pool. However, it's going to come here because you're going
to subtract
that will be the tax base for those small cities and towns then that you would have to adopt. One thing
I do want to make note of is the county service rate obviously cannot exceed one point two it's going
to be all of the current pools right now there it's bucketed right public safety PSAP economic development
The new encompasses it all. It was, I think, an intent to provide some flexibility for the local units
and to provide more local control for the local units. But the one thing I really want to make note
of is it does include debt obligations. So right now you have a special purpose tax rate. That is outside
since it was statutorily assigned. You are one of the 21 that have a statutorily assigned special purpose
rate, I believe.
It's outside of the current maximum of 2.9% total. So that's grandfathered previously. You don't have
to consider that as you're adopting your new rate. That will continue. Because it was established with
a payoff in particular defined by statute, and it will pay off based off of that statutory language.
going to go through this. I'm going to leave you guys with this information. However, what I will say
on fire protection and EMS. That is adopted by the County Council. The why is because it's going to
touch every single taxpayer.
all of their adjusted gross income is going to pay for a fire and EMS rate that you would apply. So
that's why it's in your deciding hands. The things statutorily that you do have to review with allocating,
so you set the rate and then you allocate the funds that that rate generates. Okay, so if I establish
a rate and it generates $10 million, then I go in and start allocating that portion of that $10 million
to those that are able to receive those funds.
Well, who's able to receive those? Well, it states that if you have a township that performs 50% in
the prior two years of all fire runs and they have a full-time staff, well, they define full-time staff
statutorily as the firefighters earning 30,000 or more. I think that was for one particular township
that's maybe closer to the Indianapolis area. But it also says that you must consider population.
and you must consider service boundary lines. That's what you do, is you have to consider those, but
there is no statutorily prescribed procedure when you're allocating those funds. However, if you have
a fire district, which you do, you must allocate funds. It doesn't say how much, it just says that you
must allocate funds, okay? So it's a pretty,
wide open concept of how to generate and allocate those funds that's driven. It's a public safety, public
safety rate. So there is a lot more flexibility on that. However, you have to use it on fire and EMS.
Okay. With that said, I will say fire and EMS rate if applied and if applied first,
erases the concern for all cities and towns throughout the state. Because when they were looking at
revenue neutrality, they weren't considering the generated revenue from the fire and EMS rate. However,
the current revenue does consider public safety revenue, because there's a public safety rate, and I
believe you guys have one. They receive those public safety funds currently. So when they're being compared
statewide,
you were including public safety on the current, not including a portion of the public safety, which
is your fire and EMS rate and the ability to be whole from that. So keep that in mind when you're beginning
to allocate those funds. And this goes into some of the steps. I will say the
There's a 12-step statutory, the one rate that says how you're going to provide the allocation. If you
adopt a small municipality rate, that's the one that you're setting for those cities and towns.
For you, it's Steinsville. So the rate that you are allocating for Steinsville and then allowing Bloomington
and Ellitsville to either opt in or opt out of,
there is a statutorily prescribed process. It's a 12 step that says this is how those allocated funds
will be dispersed. Okay. The good thing is, is within our lit portal that again, your auditor does have
access to now that will, you'll be able to play with those figures to see what you would need to generate.
I did run. I'm just not real sure if I'm going to be able to share my screen or not.
to take a look at this, but I did run a model on Monroe County just to see what does Monroe County look
like unique compared to. One of the things I will say, because I believe you are, you are, you are a
PTR, you generate a PTR rate. When the property tax replacement rate initially went in, statutorily,
the thought was if I pay you a dollar in income tax, you would provide a dollar of
property tax relief, right? But as that evolved, as the law changed and tax rates changed and evolved,
what has occurred is I could be giving you a dollar of my lit, and in some areas, 70 cents of that dollar,
of every dollar generated, goes to buying down the circuit breaker burden of all the underlying units.
Well, again, if you think of that pie statewide, that burden is about 18%,
counties. So 18% of that 70 cents in that example would go to your county by down of the circuit breaker
and then to obviously the
the townships and the civil units, the municipalities. So then the 30 cents in that example would go
down, would buy down that property tax bill. This here will show you where your county rates on that
as far as that allocation of those PTR funds. I say that to just for you to be mindful when you are
generating from that lit portal. Since the new structure does not include
PTR because that's being eliminated. That's something to just be mindful of right if you are receiving
50 cents of every dollar That's something to be mindful of as you're allocating those funds Okay, and
that lip portal will not show that but if you have capacity you can make yourself whole there So with
that said I also did take a look at the
Your year over year, because I was curious, and we talked about the year over year on property tax.
Well, what was your year over year for LITs from 25 to 26? Not include, like PSAP distribution, because
that goes directly to the county. Your PSAP went from 2.7 million to 2.9 million, so a modest increase.
Your PTR went from 2.2 million
to 2.4, modest increase. The jail-lit, 7.4 to 7.9, modest. Then I took a look at your, like, for example,
Bloomington, if you take a look at their allocated proportion, they're actually growing 2.7 million
total in lit distribution from year over year. The county on distribution shares, you are, let's see, 100,
100,000 increase on the on that too for your public safety certified shares and edits So I just wanted
to give you that little bit of information. I'd be happy to leave this for you as well must I won't
spend too much time here, but 12 10 of this last session said that you may have a must meeting Must
is municipal unit strategic task force and that is you may meet before
prior to August 1st, October 1st of 2026. The county council statutorily convenes the must. County council,
there's a representative. Well, who comprises the must, right? One county council representative. It
uniquely says county council representative compared to the municipal officers that it's the fiscal
officer of each city and town. So the fiscal officer for those three municipalities.
are statutorily defined as the person with the voting authority. It's certainly a very unique provision,
because you're one representative. You could technically say, hey, we're going to go send our auditor.
Because the DLGF has said most recently, they're viewing that language to say the county council, you
could send your attorney. They're probably looking at me going, thanks, Jamie, for that.
But it does, it says county council representative. So it doesn't necessarily mean it has to be.
a member of, however it certainly could be. However, what we know is once this goes into effect in 2029,
they can't bind you to the decision of what comes out of must, right? The fiscal officer certainly doesn't
have the authority to bind the city council into an agreement that they don't even sit on. Same goes
with, so it's a very non-binding, what they wanted to do is just receive information if you elect to
have or hold a must meeting.
If you do, the purpose is to establish a lit distribution related to the overall 2.9 percent. And if
a unanimous agreement is reached to submit a report to the DLGF, it doesn't say when to submit the report.
I would assume they'll provide some guidance on that here in the coming weeks of when
that they want that information. What we are suggesting at AIC, though, is to just use a cautious and
deliberate approach when holding the must meeting. If you so choose to have that must meeting, and we're
certainly recommending, we think all dialogue and communication is beneficial.
They are public meetings, because you should hear from your public, right? It's their tax dollars. And
you should hear from municipal. You should hear from non-municipal, because if your non-municipal, which
they are, are subsidizing cities and towns, you may want to say, how much should that subsidy be, especially
if there's overlapping services? We are receiving additional information, just like the certified and NETS
property tax levies, we're getting more information weekly. One of the things that we've never received
before, right now the state could not answer how much debt is backed by lit funds. Nobody can answer
that. Well, that's pretty important to know before you start allocating 2.9% of your lit rate, right?
Because if not, it's going to come from your rate. So you want to know what and how much debt
Whether it's a city, whether it's a town, there could be a township. Your funds, you want to know that
information. So what we're saying is use a deliberate approach, collect information. I've provided some
slides here on the information that you should, and I'd be happy to share this slideshow with Bree and
your attorney to also provide out. And Kim has been a wonderful advocate on your guys' behalf as well.
So you could say, hey, let's start collecting this data because that will help you drive a data-driven
decision rather than an emotional decision. So there is some structure here as far as some of those
key questions that you may want to say, hey, what our overall objective
entering that could be, because it could be vastly different between your body and another
body of government. So you may want to define what your overall goal is before you also head into those.
These slides here will be those key financial and operational data collection points that you may want
to begin collecting now before you hold a must meeting maybe later in August or early September. With that,
I do have the lit portal if you'd like to see that now. If not, I did run a model. I'm happy to leave
that model that I prepared for you just to respect your time and those that are also going after me.
So if you'd like to see it, I'd be happy to show it. Otherwise, I'm happy to leave the PDF that I created
from that. So I'll go at your rate. Thank you so much. And it might be helpful for us to pass that.
information on in the interest of time. I'll entertain because I know a couple of counts or we might
have some quick questions for you. And I'll actually go first because one of the biggest questions that
I had about the must task force is for us to potentially like if we decided that we wanted to opt in,
do you have to have all of the taxing units and bodies
to be able to participate. So if one decided that they didn't want to do it and they wanted to do their
own, can this must task force convene? So what it says is the county council may convene, right? The
county may convene a must. So you can convene a must meeting. You can set the date. You can say this
is when we're going to convene it. It has to be public. So you have to notify the public, right? And
provide proper notice.
However, if there's a certain city or town that says, hey, and I can tell you, I ran the model. Every
city and town that has the option to opt in or opt out, they have plenty of capacity if you adopt a
fire and EMS rate, OK? If they say, hey, we really don't need to be there. We're going to adopt our
own, you can still hold the must. They just wouldn't be present. You would just notate that.
You wouldn't technically have a unanimous between all the cities and towns at that point. And then your
small municipality may say, hey, we're kind of at the discretion of this body anyways. However, they
may certainly want to have input uniquely to answer your question to is specifically says who cannot be.
included and must. So while it says one county council representative and the fiscal officer from each
city and town, it does say that they don't want fire district representation there. However, that doesn't
mean that they can't come and publicly comment, right? The same goes for municipalities. I think you
guys are a former, you're a former,
So your schools may not want to have input at that point. Some that are former
as a former school CFO, I would want some input because they would be losing some of that distribution.
But you can still hold that. You would just notate that. That's what we're waiting on from the DLGF
is to say, do they want only the reports from the unanimous or do they even want to know if you held
one who was an attendance? Okay, thank you. Yes, Councilor Hawke. That's the lowest amount because when
I'm looking at this, it looks like we would
we would start out with thinking about what the small muni rate might be for Steinsville, because many
of us think, I mean, Steinsville really could use some assist, but we could set a rate. Now, if we did
that, whatever that smallest rate would be, because they're a very small town, they don't need, we certainly
would not send them as much as we would use for operating. But then does that establish, that's the
rate that any
Municipality larger municipality would opt into if they wanted to opt in for bringing in taxes from
throughout the county, they would use that smaller rate that we established for studies. Is that what
we would do? So
It doesn't uniquely say what your order of operations is when you're assigning the individual buckets.
When I've ran every model, I look at the fire and EMS rate first because it's a public safety rate,
it's the larger AGI, and it's more of a universal type of service that's being provided. So I look at
that rate first and then I go to the small municipality rate.
The reason is if a baby remember I said it's a 12 step distribution process. Well, if your county is
comprised by 66 or two third percent 66.67%.
by municipally populated presence. So if your municipalities combined for over two thirds of your total
county wide population, the county would not receive any of that distribution. However, if you're not
that way or say Bloomington ops out because they are your larger populace, the county would receive a portion
of that county-wide or that small municipal rate. That's a part of that 12-step process that's embedded
in our lit portal that we built. So the reason I think it's probably sometimes easier to Councilwoman
Hawk's position is you may want to know by adopting that small municipal rate,
if they're going to opt in or opt out because it's going to have a direct impact on the amount that
the county would also receive, but also what your smallest municipality would receive. Again, that higher
adoption of that rate for the small municipal rate incentivizes your larger municipalities to opt into
it. But with them being so small, one of the things I've said is you may not want to chase a rate
based off of your smallest populated city or town. So what can you do for them? Like in the model I
drafted here, it's a very small, the non-municipal rate I think I applied is 0.2%, right? And the model
I'm giving you fully funds everyone, and it's a decrease to the taxpayers, the non-municipal taxpayers.
okay and that just shows that that subsidy a part of your goal is to say hey let's lessen that subsidy
this this would provide that however with steinsville they would be six thousand shy they're the only
one in red well what you simply can do is just have a interlocal agreement and
provide them a fund transfer at settlement time, or when you're distributing these lit funds. So it
may be better to just, and what we're saying is make sure that the State Board of Accounts is acceptable
of that. So far they have seen as if that is not acceptable.
permissible. There's certainly much of that now anyways where there's inner funds. If you have interlocal
agreements, that practice is pretty routine now. That may be an easier way to make sure that they're
whole than trying to find that perfect rate. Any other questions?
So can you repeat again the rate, the percentage of municipal population to non-municipal population
at 60 what percent? Yeah, so based off of the formula, how that formula works is it's saying add up,
it helps you take all of the population of each city and town and then it's going to put a thumb
on that scale and say we're gonna take that times 1.5. So they're gonna have a heavier rate of distribution
on that small municipal rate. So because that's taken times 1.5 and you can't over-distribute the amount
of revenue that you're collecting, that balance point of when you take that 1.5 is 66.67%. Let me follow
up with a question then, because we have some variables in our county that are unique.
municipal jurisdiction that's looking to merge into a township, Ellitsville and Richland Township. Okay,
I saw that recently. Yeah, so that would increase the population of Ellitsville from 6,800 to about
15,190. Okay. Which would, now I'm doing math on a fly here, but that would be slightly under that 60-ish
percent number to somewhere around 73%, including Bloomington, right?
um so that's a good point so we're in the night edge right would it increase did you say it was ellisville
they're combining with or richland yeah so richland township and ellisville okay right which they're
already above that 3500 so they're already a large municipality okay so so the question is so that's
one variable on our plate that that's going to be a november vote which would be a month after us
deciding to do a must committee or not. So, I mean, that sounds like it might be unique for the state.
I mean, we might be, are there other jurisdictions that are looking at? I've seen a couple. Municipalities
that are emerging that might tip the tip the scale from that 60. So what was the number again? Two thirds,
66.67. Yeah, because we're like 63.1. Once it goes, once it's tipped over that, the county doesn't receive
any distribution. Well, that's a thing to think about. Yes. Yes, it is. And to be honest with you, you
could get through
in a manner of saying, hey, we're going to adopt a 0% small municipal rate, and then just tick up the
county service rate, and then they can then charge their rate to their residents individually, regardless
if they're consolidated or not with that township population. So under this model, they have enough
flexibility if you adopt a fire in EMS, and if you proportionally allocate it,
on this example is all it is. This is not financial advice. It's just an example I ran for you just
to show you how it works. But in that case there, if you adopted a zero rate, then you just applied
maybe that little increment of 0.1 to the county service rate. You could just say, hey, we're gonna
cut Steinsville a check annually out of that. And then you wouldn't have to worry about that case. I'm
gonna limit myself to one interesting question.
I'll pass it back. I'm sure others have questions. All right. Well, in the interest of time, I'll see
if anybody else has any more questions. I do not have a question, but thank you for taking the time.
I know you've done this, if we could have made it up to see you. So I appreciate the time you're taking
to help us come along, because I've heard
many different versions, but not all of it at once, and wow, this is a lot to take in. It is, which
is why we are saying it's okay to take a breath and absorb all the information, make sure you have the
proper document or the proper data, not estimates
you know, so far out, but the actual, because we do have the certified net levies now, so we know what
those are, right? So I think that's important to have all of those, to use a data-driven decision, but
thank you. Thank you very much. You've given the clearest explanation of this. I've seen you do this,
I think, two times. I feel like I do it in my sleep maybe sometimes. Easily the most
the clearest I've seen it in the state. I'm sure I'll have a million questions. Just an overarching
concern I have as our association sitting before us is I worry about all of local government across
this state doing this, understanding how to do it, doing it well, and not messing something up. Which
is why we invested
at AIC, we invested back to all of our members because we know how much, how many decisions are in front
of you. And so we said, hey,
You don't have to do that 12 step process. You don't need my Excel workbook to do it. We built this
interactive portal that does that for you. And we also built in air codes so you can't over allocate.
So there's as many air checks in it as possible. But I will also tell you, as we have committed to updating
that as additional source data is coming in,
So as there's more relevant data in front of us so for example when the Department of Revenue certifies
the municipal adjusted gross income so right now that's the only outstanding variable but as they release
that data we're hoping here in the coming months we're going to update our source material in that portal
as well and we'll continue to do so because your must meeting right now is
two years in advance of when this even comes into being effective, right? You won't even vote on this
until 2028. We're going to continue to update that model and the information and any changes that we
may see throughout the next couple sessions in between so that you have the resources that you need
to make these crucial decisions because every unit of government is unique and every county is uniquely made to.
and safe travels back home. Thank you. Jane, are you going to email us what you have there? I really
regret that didn't go on the screen so everyone at home could see it. I will leave that with Kim. And
then I will also email Kim my presentation so that you guys can also have that if that works.
Sound good? That works. Thank you. Thank you.
Next up, we will have another presentation of the sustainability revenue and spending plan. And we have
Mr. Greg Garitas from our FSG group here to give us an overview. Hello. Thank you, and good evening.
I hope you can endure more now. So in light of how we've been going here, I want to give you
this. Take one and pass it around. Kind of a summary of the 2027 budget considerations, and I'm going
to focus on these as I go through the sustainability, which it's my understanding you've had it. You've
had it for a few weeks, and let me explain. The sustainability is 182 pages of data, okay?
The first 152 is a fund-by-fund analysis. After that, you've got a lot of property tax information,
you've got a lot of lit information and all kinds of good things. So I keep saying, you know, if you
take some time and look through it, there's a lot of
fabulous information, either that or put it under your pillow and by osmosis it might sink in or it
might give you a crook in the neck. So the summary page here that I put together, I want to go over
point one. In the original June 11th version of the sustainability, we used 5 percent growth quotient.
As you heard from Jamie, it's been increased to 5.7. It may even go to six. And so that's important
to note now. It's our firm belief that you do not go and spend all 5.6, 5.756, because guess what? You
won't get that, okay? Because remember, what will happen is,
all the tax rates will go up. Everybody will get their maximum levies. And so we're saying at best we'll
realize maybe 4%. Okay. And so I'm going to skip down to number three, which is in the sustainability
to number three said circuit breaker will increase over 1.3 million. It actually is doing that.
and that's a direct result of the 10% and the $300, the lesser of. So on page 152, if you were showing,
Kim, if you're playing at home with me, then you will see that, and that shouldn't be too much off,
because if you remember, I've been tracking that
various versions of the sustainability. We did an estimate. So on page 152, the estimated circuit breaker
or the actual circuit breaker for 2026 is going to be $1.5 million, up by $1,316 million. And if you
look down at the bottom section, you will see $1,312 million was due to the homestead credit. And that
was pretty much real close on
to bring your estimate and our estimate that we work together. Okay. But that will continue as you see
to grow. And that is exclusive of any school impact that Jamie spoke about. Okay. So stay tuned. That
theater is coming near you soon. Okay. And so when I say
The 4%, that's what we're initially taking into account. And then you'll see that in the sustainability,
I'm gonna jump all the way down to number seven. In the growth factors, what we did, Kim, it's on PDF
page six, we used a 2% salary increase. I'm using about two or 3% at most.
in all my counties that I'm working in. And so at this point in time, given what we've seen here,
we have, we are recommending or using 2%. I consider 2% the total increase. If you want to call that
COLA or if you want to call that the overall increase, whatever, but I'm not compounding 2% onto something else.
And so I think that's important to know. What we see in the assumptions down here is obviously we see
growing, inflation will impact some of the various other expenses. One of the things I think council
really needs to concentrate on and bring is when we move the supplies and stuff over to the added fund,
The question is going to be, are we going to take a tack where we're going to slowly move that back
to the general fund? Or the answer is, as you already heard, the theater is leaving you in 2028. The
edit will no longer be at it. It'll be in your overall rate.
And remember, in the sustainability, we pinpointed on, I believe, page 182, about 96 basis points. Actually,
96, 167. 96 would be the breakeven of the current LITs, okay? So the question is, do we leave that in
at it as we develop our 27 budget?
Do we slowly migrate? My point would be if it's in edit and we can right size it before we move it anywhere
or keep it in there, let's right size those numbers and then find a permanent home, okay? And so that's
quite significant for you to be aware of and take into account not only maybe in 27, but 20,
728 okay keep in mind we go out to 31 in our estimates and keep in mind the county of Monroe has so
many things going on with you know the obviously the lit rates what those are going to do with what
expansions are going to do or annexations are going to do we have so many things that we're we're trying
to accumulate and I did I just got
all points bulletin that you're losing a court. So those expenses have not been pulled out of here.
I'm used to counties gaining courts. I think Hendricks is going to get the one you're going to lose
and we don't want it. So because it's very expensive, another court. So we're estimating maybe 350 to
500,000 might be saved from that.
that has not been taken to account. But that's you'll see the court here. There is a significant amount
that adds up. I believe I had that pinpointed on page straight before prosecutor. And it takes up over
two pages with all the different different
items that are in there, both recorders and all those things. So that has to be kind of figured in.
Okay. So I heard you ask about the gas tax. What we're estimating when we go to basically when we go
to the highway fund, page 106, what we are saying at this point in time, it could be
15 to 20 percent drop in revenue this year. That's based upon our analysis of the revenue and the overall
time that's involved. So you can see on the unrestricted fund
And the restricted fund, we're getting kind of close in cash balance. So I don't matter of fact on the
restricted fund, we go negative in 27. So the budget of 2.6 million that we produced on page 106 is
very critical that her your highway engineers
estimate on that is going to be very, very critical. And then we've got the non restricted at 4.5. So
we have included a reduction in revenue. Now, what I've heard from the state so far is that, yes, the
the replacement is being discussed quite heavily. What was obvious, though,
is they said they may have to wait and see after year end because they would want to replenish it from
surplus funds, not from an additional appropriation. So therefore, we may have to either to supplement,
we may have to do, you can do a tax anticipation warrant, usually has to be paid off by 1231.
But there's also sometimes you can wait until June 30th. So there may be an inter-fund loan that we
have to make if that becomes the reality of the replenishment.
I see both restricted and non-restricted. Lisa is going to have challenges in order to move ahead at
those levels on the 27 budget. And so what she does in 26 will be very, very important. Okay. I would
like to take you now back kind of through some of I will look back here at the
planning considerations I put together for you. But I would like to take you through some of the specific
lit funds. And I think that's kind of kind of important. All number six has been catching everybody
by surprise. We now have to take the building and the planning and building revenue, move it out of
the general fund. And yes, you will move out the expenses to
and you will set up a separate new fund. So you'll see on page 142, we have a non-numbered fund because
the number hasn't even been put together by the State Board of Accounts. They said, yeah, we're gonna,
a lot of people misread that statute. It said that it had to be July 1,
And that was a misread. Some of the provisions are July 1, but the new fund is January 1. So you will
set up a budget for 2027 based upon those expense revenues and expenses. And on page 142, we took a
shot at it, read, and you may tell us that we're
not correct, but that's okay. We took a shot at it on page 142. We put the revenues and we put the expenses.
So what I was pleasantly surprised is on page 142, we had revenue of 1 million and we had approximately
707,000 of expenses. You're actually my first county. I've seen that most of them are behind. In other words,
The reason this was done is the Builders Association thinks that counties and cities are getting rich
off of building and planning departments and they're subsidizing general fund. And this by no means
is showing that, but it also is showing that maybe we have not allocated enough expenses. So keep in
mind that then when you raise building permit fees,
after July 1, you get one time after five years. But this is the critical financial element that we've
got to take into account in 2027. Okay? So that's important to note, too. And so what I'll do is kind
of take a little bit of time and go through some of the funds. I know it's getting longer in the day,
but let's go to page 60, which is the edit
lit fund, and this is the one that, in summary, looks good. As you know, it has a strong cash balance.
And as you know, in 2026 is finally when we had expenses allocated to it, and that was the, like I said,
most office supplies training, what I call the 3,000s.
And the 3000s were put in there along with a contractual highway administration, which meant we had
a budget of about four, about $5 million allocated there. That's the one I'm saying you need to take
a real good look at. Yeah. Yeah. And so, um, and, and also depending on what we do with capital projects
that are on your horizon. Okay. Or maybe not on your horizon, but
that. Um, next fund I'd like to go through is 71 71 is kind of in page 71 is kind of important because
we have a note there that at this point in time. On 71 we will utilize more than likely the majority of the
and we see it going negative in 2027. So you're either going to have to significantly cut that budget,
or as I've noted in the footnote, you will need to increase the rate for 2027. So what page is that
on? Page 71. Thank you. Sure. So page 71. Now, let me also give you an all points bulletin that if you
are talking about rearranging any of your LITs
not in 28, we're not even going there yet. And right now, 427, okay, you have to give notice to your
underlying taxing districts by August 1 that you may look at it. It's a may look at it, okay?
It's not a, I'm gonna put this here or that here or that, it's a may look at it. So be aware of that
because you don't wanna miss that deadline, okay? And this is,
one of those, you may want to look at it, okay, and kind of go from there. Questions on that? Okay.
If not, let's go to 139, page 139, which is another lit fund. And on this one, this is the, and I'll
make sure I do it right this time, it is the summary of the
PSAP Lit Fund 4933, okay? And so what you'll see here is this one is fine. It's looking good at this
point in time. Notice that each of them have a footnote which says discontinues in 29, but we assume
you will have a replacement rate for the revenue. Now we, you know,
A lot of things are going to take place with adjustments to lit now and when it is enacted in 28 for
29 could even be 29 30. A commissioner asked me this morning in Hendricks County what happens if the
state can't come up with all these areas of income, then you know more than likely it will get pushed back.
So, you know, there's a lot of things to do between now and there, now and then. The only thing that
really is most significant is the Muskirt. And that's where I'm working with Hendrix and Hancock, and
we're going to be facilitating those discussions, and we propose to help you, too, and so something
you might want to keep in mind as we go forward.
142 is the new building. I won't go through that. But 145 is the other lit, and that is the public safety
lit. That is the Bloomington Fund 151 also. And that looks great, too, as operating balance looks like
our projections for the 2027 budget.
is 8.3, which is right at revenue. What we're finding out is a lot of PSAPs have their new contracts
coming up. They're also having expiration of consoles and consoles are running about 350, 350,000
per console. So you add that up and that becomes a significant capital outlay. So that may be where
we want, where we'll need to put some of that surplus
if needed. So in Hendricks County, we went ahead and renegotiated and accelerated the AT&T, and we're
saving about a half a million dollars. So that's something to really be aware of when that happens or
when that's coming up. And those opportunities can help you save taxpayer dollars, which is what I'm
all about.
Yes, Marty, did you have one point? I heard Chief Decoff mentioned that the city might have their own
central dispatch. So and I would think through interlocal agreements or whatever we would determine,
there may already be something in law that says who gets the equipment that is there. So I think that's
something we have to take a real hard look at to
before we start replacing equipment or see who's going to end up with equipment, because I think all
that's being moved. Makes total sense. Just to throw that in as to make sure we all have something else
to worry about. And so then the final one is don't forget about the ARPA fund. I'm sure you know that
we have six months now to spend it. It must leave the county coffers by 1231, OK?
And the last thing you want to do is have an IOU to the federal government because they're calling on
them really quick. So that's important. So again, 167 was our estimated lit impact, page 167 of .96.
So I know I went through it kind of quickly.
And, you know, but I'm trying to, you know, stay on course here. And so I'd love to take any questions
we ask Bree and Molly if there was any written in questions beforehand and come in and there wasn't.
And, but if you, Peter, I'm sure you've got some great questions. Well, let's look at council. Who has
the lead off question for FSG?
Remember, there's not too many things I don't know about your, I know a lot about your finances and
exactly where you're at. Let me break the ice. Could we go to page 133? That is self-insurance. That's
something that I'm particularly worried about at our upcoming long-term finance meeting. We're going
to be talking about this and I think it's worth looking at what you all did. Again, that's page 133.
Yeah, and I think, keep in mind, this is our self-insurance fund where we bring in and we bring out,
we take in and pay out. And I think, Bree, I don't recall, what were we going to be using for 2027 per
employee? Michelle, is it 16,000? For 2027, right now we're budgeting 18. We're asking everyone to do 18.
but I have spoken with Angie Purdy and she believes that number will be lower. And the 26 number was
16, five, 16, five. Okay. And so what we did is I think we did use the percentage increase of about
10% to factor in. So that percentage would be a little different, but not too far off. And so I do like
the fact that if you can keep about
three million, three and a half, which this kind of shows, that would be an excellent level. And this
is our only reserve fund, right, for self-insurance. Okay, I'm still a firm believer that we can have
a separate fund and we can have it separately set aside. We just can't call it rainy day, but it's implied
within here.
It's just really interesting to see that the numbers just go up, the ending balance just year after
year just goes up and up and up, and I think that's exactly what's gonna happen. So, all right,
thank you. Any other questions from council? You stumped them. Well, maybe they've heard too many numbers,
but go ahead, Kate, did you have something? Yeah, please. I have a lot of questions, and I'm kind of,
I've kind of hit a point where I'm a little overwhelmed, I have to admit. So I reserve the right to
ask questions of our auditor who will ask you if she doesn't know. Yeah, or I'm literally this is like,
I don't know, I don't want to look like an idiot, but my brain is kind of exploding right now.
You know, I would always offer that we could do an hour teams meeting for anyone with specific questions
with the auditor's office. And, you know, because, yeah, you had so much before me and then there's
so much in here. And that's why I tried to give you this summary thing to kind of say heads up.
Here's where we're going. Yeah, but I'd be more than happy to do a Sub meeting like that or something
the you know, trap travel and things like we can do it very efficiently I think over teams if you want
that might be something that we I Might have an alternative suggestion We have an LTF meeting on June
30th if we could maybe have mr. Garitas appear virtually for LTF and then any questions at all
could be posed at that LTF meeting on the 30th. What time is that meeting? 1 30. Okay, I will need to
check with my staff. I do know July 1. Yeah, I'll need it because staff controls my schedule.
But if you know, I could take an hour or something after that meeting you're thinking or before. I was
thinking during the meeting. Okay, it's a pretty full agenda. Okay.
So let's work it out with your calendar. Perfect. Yes. Thank you. Thanks again for all the good stuff
here. I guess the question I've got tonight kind of goes back to the previous presentation. We've made
assumptions in these presentations about the annexation
of the county by the city of Lewington that seems to be resolved in courts now. So that's a variable
that we can set aside. But then we did talk tonight about another variable, which is this merger of
Richland Township and Ellitsville, if that prevails at the ballot box. That is 15,000-ish citizens that
come off our roles in the county. I guess, because the projection here, we're assuming we have that
population. I've heard in other
You bodies I'm on on behalf of the council, like the plan commission, members of plan commission are
already starting to ask questions about the cost of policing that township if we're no longer required
to, if that's a municipality. And so do you have a, and I know this is on, you know, I'm not expecting it.
answer here, but we have this depressor that might be hitting us, not a small number of people that
will be in a municipality instead of the county where that revenue will shift. I mean, do you have any
initial thoughts about that and what that could look like for these counties or these townships that
are merging? No, not off the top of my head at this point in time, but you would hope that there will be
some cost savings to the county. Do I believe it will move the dial? Probably not. Okay. Will it slow
the pace? Possibly. Okay. And so I think that's where it will come down. Something like having one less
court can be very significant. And that's probably more important than the shift that you're
bringing but the cost of service from a from a public safety standpoint you would think would decrease
but there's also other factors that increase it and kind of offset. I'll just follow up briefly say
yeah it's really granular right because for every road we're not paving or plowing the cost is going
up on the inflation is going up on it anyway so it's similar to you know the number of deputies we would
need for that jurisdiction to police or
any number of things. So I appreciate that comment, that however marginal it might be, we're going to
see the inflation at the other end. It would be nice to know. It's probably pocket change, I guess,
but there you go. Thank you. I'd just rather be back on that concern. It's also what we are budgeting
in our storm water, because if we
now receive revenue, stormwater revenue, for the people of Richland Township. And there's several projects
in that area that one might look at. However, we will no longer be receiving those funds if this merger
goes through. And so our budgeting process, while it's not a part of the frozen levy or anything,
it's a fee, but we will be receiving less.
if this merger goes through. So I think that's something else we have to keep an eye on. But my question
before that was, I heard you say something about, if I understood it correctly, so much to learn tonight,
considering no more than like a 2% increase in personnel costs. Now, that would include numbers of people.
Whatever that 2% would be, would be if you've
hire more people that will get into that 2% if you, for whatever reason, or are you also counting benefits
if the insurance cost goes up? Is that a part of that too? Explain to me what you meant by 2%. Okay,
2% payroll increase in general on all employees is what we assumed.
Okay, and did you take in consideration also that 2% would that be for grant funds or?
No, I didn't on that because most of the grant funds Marty you're not in counselor Hawk is not within
this document and so no those would have to stand on their own with the grant Okay, but generally that's
where we came out. Obviously. Yes, we assume Perf and those would go up but that's not part of the 2%
and again, I mean we've cautioned immensely
hiring new people as we go forward just is tough. And keep in mind, that all has to be made up then
when you get to the lit reckoning in 28, 29. So I just, unless it's needed, my answer is, let's not
do it. And the other thing I wanted to,
make sure, and maybe it was in the document someplace and I missed it, was recognizing that we put the
jail medical contract, a big portion of it over into that jail lit fund, and was that like 1.5 million
or something like that? Yeah, you and I have talked about that before, and it's probably on page 69
if we go there.
and I think you're right for some reason I do remember at that level but we could find out exactly and
I think it's let's see 60. The question I'm asking is are you anticipating that we try to put that back
into general
Because that would be way difficult. No, I did not assume that. I wanted it to be in the jail lit because
I wanted to make sure there was always a home for that contract dollar amount. So that's why you moved
it over there. But it is simply because we budgeted so high for all the others that we had to put that
someplace. I did not move it to the general fund.
It's on page 70. Oh, 70? Yep. 70 is not the jail lit. That's what I'm looking at that I got on the screen.
Oh, correctional facility lit. Sorry. I was thinking the, yeah, I was on the other. So it's 1.6 million,
1675. And that is the one where if we have the summary
Let's go to the summary on that. So four million out of the eight million in revenue, the summaries
on page 68, that still can stay there and we have kept it there. Okay, for future periods until you're
lit changes. And we actually grew it at over 10%.
because medical costs, I'm hearing from all the different hospitals, which we talked to directly, and
it's going up significantly. I just have, I wanna go back to edit really quickly. If memory serves,
I believe you were accounting for an increase in the edit budget, is that correct? So I,
In 2027, we show, Kim, I'm on page 60. I showed that the edit increase would go to, I believe, 6.8,
but let me, the grand total was, yeah, going from 5 million to 6.8, and part of that was,
the principal, we started putting in principle and interest on the debt, future debt of the future project.
And we employed that within here for 2027. So, and it was a small payment, small, it was 1.6 million.
That's the bulk of what increased in that. And for 27. So- That's only half a year, right? That was
only for six months?
probably even less than a half a year, that was because the full payment was going to be around 5.8.
So it was probably a partial payment or quarterly payment. Remember, when you do a new facility, you
basically do your interest only, and that would be interest only. So during that period of time until
you occupy the building. Remember, I went over that in the different finances.
We've got it all right here. Be careful. Like I said, there's a tremendous amount. I'm going to do this
because we really need to wrap up. I'll take the final two. I'll go back to the auditor and Councilor
Wilts and then Councilor Iverson, and then we'll move on to the next agenda item. I'll be really quick
just to finish my thought. I just want and I know we're all very much aware of this, but we'll have
to work with the commission to update the plan if we do plan to utilize the edit fund.
And you mean the commissioners. Yeah. Okay. Um, so I had a question. I had several from just looking
at the document itself before my brain exploded this evening. And just on the very, um, front page where
you had comments and recommendations, um, you indicated if there are two things first, well, I'm going
backwards.
for me is future interest revenue to the county should be considered for the 2027 budget. What do you
mean? Well, if you go to the revenues specifically in the general fund, and I should have probably what
it should have noted this, but on page 10, Kim, we're you are depended on 6.3 million of interest income.
in building what we've built in 2027, okay? The 26, we use the same number that's in the 26 budget of
6.3. You've had as high as 8.8 and 7 million, but what I see is the vulnerability of 6 million right
there, okay?
Will the 6 million go to zero? No. Well, you know, you and we've all talked and I brought this up several
times that the interest rate should be decreasing at the Fed level. It didn't occur as fast as one we're
thinking. And so we have still projected on page 10 a decrease from 6.3 to 4 million.
this typical county and every county, they're holding on and if they see their cash balances building
in any recent year and they say, well, the projection in the sustainability was it would go down. Well,
yes, yet most of the time it is made up from two elements. Number one, your supplemental lit
of 1.7, that is also on page 10, and your interest income. So supplemental lit in 28 and 29 will be
gone. We included a small amount, half of it, in 27, but your interest income will also likely fall
off in the future. And that is because of interest rates, not
volume of cash at this point in time. I'm down quite a bit as we've spent our money. So yeah, yeah,
exactly. The last question is on policy and recommendation number four on page five. You recommend that
we create or update our target fund balance resolution
And as I'm going through the different summaries for the different funds, is it your recommendation
that we use a target fund or a minimum balance? I still believe it's a target fund balance, you know,
and that's a target. And, you know, I believe, didn't our resolution have both a target and minimum?
one year it did and then we revert it to one. So I'd have to look at. Okay. I would like to have a,
you know, a minimum when we got into it with, uh, the highway department, she said, I wouldn't want
it at that low of minimum. I would, you know, want to target this level on an annual basis. And the
whole point is not to have a fine wine.
review it each and every year, especially that's a standard and poor standard operating procedure. Okay,
it's reviewed every year and we set, you know, we set a target that we would, and we explained that
that target is something that we're trying to not go below in these funds, but in the rainy day fund,
we're gonna try and target X amount and keep it at that, okay?
So I hope that answers your question. It's a fine line between the two. It does. And let me just make
a quick point. As liaisons on this day, as they're about to go out and meet with the different departments
to review the budgets that they're going to submit, that's going to be a helpful tool. In looking at
the resolution, we do have a minimum cash balance. So minimum, not target. Right. So will one revert
to target?
Okay, thank you very much. Yes, thank you. I'll yield the rest of my time back. Behind you would appreciate
that. Okay. All right. Thank you so much. Next up on the agenda is our last presentation that we have
are the good folks that are helping us with our superior Travis great committee. We have citizen members
Um, Julie Robertson and our new member, um, Katie Hopkins, and they will be able to go over, um,
some things. Um, this is, like I said, uh, Katie's first time. However, two years have gone by really,
really fast and Ms. Robertson, this is it. So we appreciate your service with us. It was fun times,
especially last year, but this year was even better.
Um, and then again, I want to mention that we have council members, uh, Decker, vital and myself that
are the appointed ones to the committee. This past year we had, or recently we actually moved up, um,
the Sophia Travis grant committee applications, uh, that actually seemed to work well for everybody,
especially because we weren't bumping up against, um, budget
deadlines and budget timelines, I should say. And so we were able to do that. And this year we have
43 applicants and that totaled over $303,000 worth of ask. However, our little money that we had to
allocate this year was 190,000. So I'll give it back to you all to kick it off. And if you all want
to say anything about your experiences,
before we dive deep into our award recipients. Sure. So I'm Julie Robertson. This is my second year
with the Sophia Travis Grant Committee, my last year, my last meeting. And like Ms. Crossley said, these
two years flew by fast. This was a great experience for me. It's right up my alley with what I do and
my passion is with
with the community and raising money to help others. And I really appreciated the opportunity to serve
on this commission. And I'm Katie Hopkins. And yeah, this is my first round at this. These were very
difficult to look through. There's so many great proposals and ideas. And we are just so lucky to live
in a community where people care so much. And I feel very fortunate to be
working with y'all and figuring out how to allocate that the best way possible. So we're getting ready
to give you a lot of numbers. You've had a lot of numbers tonight, but these are going to be numbers
that are going to be good for your ears and not bad for your ears. Moving forward. Again, I'm Julie
Robertson, and this is my fellow citizen committee member.
Kay Hopkins, and we are here on behalf of the committee to present the 2026 Sophia Travis Community
Services Grant Award recommendations to the council. After much thought and discussion, we recommend
the following applicants receive these totals for their projects. And with this house, for residential
food, this is for food for their residents while they're there receiving treatment in their facilities,
$5,300. Artisan,
Artist Adjutant. This is what's called Rovers Kickoff Shows. It's a series of events which deliver all
ages live music performances. And we recommend $2,100. The Auxiliary to the Boys and Girls Club. This
is for the Cresmont Special Snack Program. It's a Friday meal that's sufficient enough for them to take
food home on the weekends. And we recommend $2,000.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters. This is what's called the Big and Little Adventure Connection Print and App
Tools to update the Big and Little Adventure Book, which is a guided mentoring workbook for the participants.
We recommend $4,900. Blooming Arts. This is a scholarship fund for young actors in the Once Upon a Mattress
production. We recommend $2,800. The Cooperative Living Group.
digital outreach that includes a website redesign and a social media campaign, we recommend $1,000.
Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington. This is for their summer field trips program at the club to support
kids receiving scholarships for their field trips. And that's $8,600. Cancer Support Community, food
and transportation assistance for cancer patients, we recommend $4,020. CASA.
Project Stop It Now. It's an initiative to implement community-wide child sexual abuse prevention training.
We recommend $2,500. Catholic Charities for Affordable Therapy, we recommend $3,400. Center for Sustainable
Living for Environmental Remediation and Safety Improvements for the Community Greenhouse, we recommend
$3,140. Chamber of Commerce.
for our career crews at the Career Exploration Event for Students, we recommend $2,200. CJAM, Expanding
Volunteer-Led Eviction Mediation Services, we recommend $2,340. Community Culture Inc. for Bob's Garden
to Establish Infrastructure Within the Garden, $3,420. Community Kitchen, Food for All, this is essential
food funding, we recommend $9,240.
Courage to Change Sober Living. Welcome Home Kits, which helps for supplies for new residents and drug
testing for their participants. $2,660. El Centro Comuno Latino. Rent and utility assistance for Latino
community members. We recommend $5,000. First Christian Church.
Welcome table breakfast and a Sunday meal program, we recommend $5,600. First Presbyterian
Church, Bloomington Severe Winter Emergency Shelter Services, $10,060. Girls Rock Bloomington, this
is a summer camp for youth ages eight to 14 years of age, we recommend $4,900. Harmony School, for Harmony
School performance tech upgrade in their gym, we recommend $2,200.
We have Healing Hands for the Nourishing Neighbors Produce Project. They were going to be purchasing
fresh veggies and fruits for their food pantry. We recommend 3,800. Hoosier Trails Council, Growing
Scouting in Monroe County by establishing a new Cub Scout Pack in Monroe County in October of 2026.
We're recommending 2,600. Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry. This is a Monroe County 4-H livestock sale,
Project for Meat Processing for Local Hunger Relief, 11,400. Limestone Media, a project called Climate
Change. What's the atmosphere like here? It is media coverage of environmental impacts caused by Monroe
County, and we are recommending 980. Lotus Blossoms Artist, goodness.
Residency and World Bazaar will cover the artist fees We're recommending two thousand two hundred and
fifty middle way house This is for decreasing transportation barriers for survivors of violence by providing
bus tickets gas cards and rideshare credits one thousand five hundred a middle way house collaborative
CPR trainings cost of the CPR B town instructor materials and certification fees That's five thousand
one hundred and twenty
Sports cupboard, MHC education programming. This is for the purchase of supplies for free kitchen programs.
And we're recommending 5,500. My sister's closet, providing a secure resource for women. This is for
their security system. And their new building, 2,080. And then New Hope for families, the New Hope family
shelter summer camp. This is to help with full daycare through the summer. That's 7,400.
New Leaf New Life, Stability and Motion, Rent Assistance for Sober Living and Transportation, 5,860.
Next we have PALS. They have a program called Stable Futures After School, which is a workforce and
skill development program, recommending 5,100. Pantry 279 is for nutritional food for food insecure
families, 13,000. Pathways,
My First Library, providing books to children in the Compass Program, 2,400. Pathways to Cross-Cultural
Understanding, Bridging Borders, a visual dialogue on global youth perspectives. This will provide global
perspectives and connections to educate youth, 2,460. Reimagining Opera for Kids, the 2026-27 season
of Reimagining Opera for Kids,
This will help with production costs, $1,300. Sobremesa, increasing locally grown nutritious food by
purchasing food preservation equipment, $6,400. Stone Belt, CPR first aid training for Stone Belt staff,
$5,240. Suzy's Place, this is for internship opportunities and will be used for providing an intern stipend.
4,100. Tandem. Tandem essentials such as rent, utilities, and other necessities. 11,090. And Wonderlab.
This is for social service visits, and we are recommending 3,040. Thank you very much for that.
Council, I move to approve resolution 2026-24, adopting the committee's 2026 Sophia Travis
award recommendations as presented for a total award distribution of $190,000. Second. All right, we
got a motion and a second. I will look to council members to see if anybody has any questions. Yes,
Councilor Henry. Thank you, and thank you for the presentation.
So I can understand administratively how things went this year. So we moved the period up, right, for
applications. Do we let previous applicants know, like is there like a notice that goes out to, okay,
I'm just curious. That's not an accusation, just scratching the chair. And is the count of total recipients
down this year or compared, so do we know the numbers year over year, like how down we are?
We had 42-3 last year, and that's what we've got this year. So we had several that didn't apply this
year, but we had several new ones this year. So our numbers are almost identical with regards
to applications. Thank you. And usually, to answer your question, there is an extensive staff reach
out to everybody, and then we have a huge kickoff.
where we do a presentation and staff does a presentation of how we'll do it. We've been doing this for
the past few years, and it's usually pretty full in here. And then if anybody has any questions, they
can ask it, or they can go back and watch the recordings. Thank you. And we do a lot of social media
with regards to Facebook. We put all of our stuff on Facebook, and we also put it on our website so
that people can get the information
from Facebook or the website. Welcome. Any other questions? Yes, Councilor Decker. First, I want to
thank our two citizen appointees on here for your leadership and for doing this wild thing with us that
actually is a very rewarding but wild thing that we do. And the cool thing, and I said this in our committee
meeting, but the cool thing is the numbers that you see there reflect
coming together and hitting an average within the guidelines and kind of what they think we should do
with these dollars. And it truly works out. It's one of the wildest things of all that with all this
input we get from the folks applying, doing this partnership to all this, we get these numbers. These
numbers come together and it actually represents probably one of the largest community participatory
things from this many organizations in such a seamless way. And it's one of the best pieces of service
we get to do on this council. And it's made better by input from two individuals that we would otherwise
not get. And so as this moves forward, my hope is that recommendations should have passed the spot in.
I don't hear shoes flying at anyone yet. That if it passes, that this is honored in the county for what
that is and the
the work of all that many people in the process. It was my pleasure to serve again in addition to serving
with Julie again and then welcoming Katie, but I also think it's really good to have other people besides
just us that make
and the county have the community involved in. It's just been a delight to hear perspectives that we
might not have thought of ourselves. So I really appreciate that. And again, just thank you to all that
participated. Thank you for your patience to applicants as we are working through this. And yeah,
and again, thank you.
All right, next up, we will have, we'll open it up to public comment. So if there's public comment on
any of the award recipient suggestions or recommendations, I should say, you can come forward to the
lectern here in the room. You'll have up to three minutes. Or if you are on Teams, you can raise your
hand via Teams. I don't see either or.
Okay, so we will conclude public comment and then we will go ahead and have a roll call vote. Councilor
Deckard? Yes. Councilor Crossley? Yes. Councilor Iverson? Yes. Councilor Feidl? Yes. Councilor Hawk?
Yes. Councilor Wilts? Yes. Councilor Henry? Yes. Motion passes unanimous. Thank you. Thank you very much.
All right. Could you give me a copy of the list? Thank you. All right. I sure appreciate that.
Thank you. We will move on to item number nine, which is council business. As a reminder, item A was
tabled to our July 14th meeting. And so next up, we will go to item B, which is from courts. Council,
I move to approve the court's request and fund 1213-0000
GAL slash CASA for additional appropriations of $11,286 in the services category. Second. All right,
we got a motion and a second. We have Ms. Chandler here. Welcome. Thank you so much. Our CASA program's
been awarded additional funds. One is for their pass-through grant that they get every year, and this
is the third round of money they've received. And the second one is to fund an attorney through a pilot
project to help best represent children on their caseload. I believe
These funds have already been received by the auditor. Great. Questions or comments from council on
this item? Congratulations. Thank you. And we'll move on to public comment. If there's public comment
on this item, you can come forward to the lectern here in the room or raise your hand via Teams. And
seeing none, may we please have a roll call vote?
Councilor Iverson? Yes. Councilor Feidl? Yes. Councilor Hawk? Yes. Councilor Wilts? Yes. Councilor Murray?
Yes. Councilor Decker? Yes. Councilor Crossley? Yes. Motion passes unanimous. Thank you and thank you
for your patience.
All right, next up is item C from the sheriff's office. Council, I move to approve the sheriff's request
in Fund 1000-0005 County General Sheriff for an additional appropriation of $30,000 in the services
category. Second. All right, we got a motion and a second. We are joined by the sheriff and the jail
commander. Welcome. Good evening, Council. Before I officially get started, I want to say thank you to the
to Lisa and her team, reference to strong we had, they have done a phenomenal job. So our deputies could
get through the county and provide service as well. So I know she's not here, but her team has done
a tremendous, a very good job for us. So the reason why we're here, we are officially requesting funds
necessary to acquire outside counsel. As you know, litigation for the ACLU is certain to take place
reference the county jail. So as the council has already recognized with respect to his own needs, we
are also would like to consult with litigation counsel. We are following your lead and are requesting
an additional appropriation of 3,000, I'm sorry, not 3,000, 30,000 for that same purpose. To the point.
Sounds good. All right, any questions? Yes, Councilor Iverson. It's my understanding that the county's
insurance covers litigation costs. Is this for costs that go above and beyond those? Well, as I mentioned
before, the council went ahead and appropriated themselves $30,000 in anticipation of this actual lawsuit.
So all I'm doing is the exact same thing, because I can tell you at the present time right now, it's
moving forward.
And I'm already being approached with our counsel. And to be quite honest with you, when I took over
three and a half years ago, I was the one named as the defendant. And no one else has been. So at this
point, it's coming very fast for me. So what I wanted to do is to be fair and be treated the same way
as the counsel treated themselves. So that's the reason why I'm asking for that amount at the present time.
If I may, Councilor Iverson, we're in conversation with our insurance company. So it is to be determined
what the insurance company provides. Because we just switched providers. Is that correct? And sometimes
they don't provide counsel for injunctive relief cases. When they provide counsel is a question. We've
posed a lot of questions to our insurance company. We just don't have those answers.
Councilmember Iris, can I add to that just a little bit? Yes, please. Yeah, sorry. Tomorrow, Ken Falk
will be at the correction center in the morning interviewing potential clients. And the issue that we've
incurred already is that, like the sheriff said, we're already getting approached with different varying
aspects of this litigation. And we were previously the only party named, and we are the only party guaranteed
to be named in the new case, which essentially picks up tomorrow.
So we're moving at a very fast pace that we don't have the luxury to wait. And again, to be fair to
the council, that's one reason why I said it. Taking your lead, following your lead, that's the reason
why we're coming to you right now, because it was moving at us really quick. I wasn't aware. Thank you
for sharing that. I thought I saw Councilor Hawks' hand, and then I'll go. Go ahead. You may be asking
my question. Well, then I'll go to Council Henry.
I thought the reason that the council was considering having separate legal representation was a couple
things. One of which is we're not officially named in the lawsuit, so it might be that the insurance
would not cover us. However, the insurance, as I understand it, would cover you.
What are we going to do, running around with three and four different attorneys, all of us fighting
with one another? This is making a lot of sense to me. And I also wonder, is this in any way tied to
the lawsuit with the state? It's not. And I need to look again. Is this asking in the sheriff's department,
or is this to be
going into the jail fund? Where? It's a, it's a request into the sheriff's fund. Okay. Which is not
the same thing. So in April 28th of this year, when the county council agreed to appropriate themselves
$30,000, what I'm, what I'm remembering, it also included the potential future education involving ACLU.
And all I'm asking is the exact same thing, but it's not a potential. I'm already involved. I am the
only one at this present time, uh, named as a defendant. So, uh, that's the reason why, um, I'm asking
for the 30,000 as the county and I repeated myself, um, appropriate and for themselves. Now I'm not
here to really, to debate where it's coming from. That's up to the county council. But what I'm saying
to you, this is realistic right now is that, uh,
where I am the main person as of 3 years and a half ago that was the defendant. Once again,
I don't know, maybe I didn't make myself clear. I was asking if any portion of this $80 has been spent
so far or planned to be spent having to do with the debate with the Attorney General.
And I've already stated no. You did state no, sorry. I said no, I did. I did, I did. Councilor Henry.
Thank you, and thank you Sheriff and Jail Commander for being here. So I think the questions are the
line of inquiry I'm hearing is just about the nature of our two departments, right? That the County
Council, not a named litigant, you know, we're not
yet or potentially. I don't see it as apples and oranges. It's more like different kinds of apples we're
talking about. But I think Councillor Hawkins raised a good point. How many legal actions have you been
involved with since being sheriff? And how do you pursue legal counsel for each of those? For example,
there's the FFRF, I think, that's looked into the sheriff's office. How do you go about legal counsel
for these other instances? Here again, I'm going to make my point
crystal clear, I'm not here to discuss anything else but that I am named or will be named very quickly
here from the ACLU reference to civil rights of the people in that facility right now. So I'm being
very, very pointed on this. And I'm only asking what is fair, what the county council appropriate of
themselves, who have not been named as a defendant at all. But I could tell you from day one,
I have. So very specifically, I'm asking to be fair and treat it the same as a county council. So I
just have to ask you respectfully. So you've been in office for almost four years. You've had interactions
with the legal system seeking representation for yourself and other instances. The county pays for those
services in one way, one coffer or another. And if we're talking about, you know, what fund funds what
and that's
That's the question, right? I mean, it's not off the table because we have paid for legal services for
the county sheriff's department before. It's not saying yes or no to your question. I'm just trying
to understand when you've purchased the services of legal counsel or had legal representation in other
cases that have been brought to, or you've needed to seek counsel from an attorney, what other ways
has that been paid for? How have you gone about that? Because I'm just trying to square it up. We want
to be very even. If there's a consistent pattern, sure, that makes sense. And it makes sense for the
next time, the next time, the next time.
Yeah, I think that's a fair question. And I think there's an easy answer. We're looking for litigation
counsel. We have counsel for the FFRF or something like that stuff comes up. We have in-house counsel.
That is not litigation counsel. For other things that involve our insurance, we have our counsel through
our insurance company for different things. This is specifically for litigation of the ACLU agreement.
I think the frustration in my voice, the discussion that the county counsel had, that did not come up.
But still be it, he answered your question. I'll take that answer, thank you. All right, anybody else
have any other questions or comments on this item? Councilor Williams. So typically we ask departments
to look at their balances and determine if they have an alternative way
of paying for what they need and wait until they can't pay for something out of what's already been
appropriated. It seems like we're not creating a new line. There's already a line for this.
Is that correct? Well, the difference is the line that you're referring to is
in-house council. This litigation- The line says litigation as the first word in its title. I mean-
The council that we have right now does not specialize in litigation. It does not. But you can still
use money from that line to pay for legal services. But then it takes away from the actual services
that we provide now that we have to go to that council for services. But again,
I, in my mind, I really thought this, this wouldn't be an issue that we had long conversations because
the county council didn't discuss that as far as we didn't have any way of, of doing it without
an appropriation. I don't even know if we used it. I have no idea. I'm not saying that, but we don't,
we didn't have a line. And I'm just saying, you already have a line for this and you have money.
for these purposes, I'm just, I guess, unsure as to why you need an extra appropriation before a lawsuit
has been started. Because already we've been approached, references lawsuit. However, the line you're
referring to is in-house council services. This year is totally different.
an actual person, an attorney, that specializes in litigations. Very different. Can I ask a clarifying
question that might help? Is the line that our counselor member wills referring to the line that pays
for your legal counsel that is statutory? Yes. And do you have a contract with that individual? Yes.
And in that scope of the contract, would litigation counsel for this matter be covered? No. Got it.
Was the appropriate, and I'm asking them for, just if I can. Was the amount appropriated in this line
for 2026 specific and limited to the cost of that contract? I believe it is. I think it's limited to
the special deputy or the legal deputy costs that is available to the sheriff by statute.
Statutorily, he can hire a legal deputy. I think that line covers the contract for that only. Okay.
That makes sense. So this is a line in general fund in the contractual. No, it's not contractual. This
is what it's called is litigation, settlement and mediation. That's the name of that line. Okay. Okay.
So that makes a lot more sense to me. Thank you. Thank you for clarifying. And then my, you know,
back to kind of the original part is it's in the, it's in the thirties here. So it's services and you
have other, do you have other money in the services where you could do an in-house transfer to cover
these expenses until we figure out what's happening. And she's looking at me and she's saying, I'm,
I'm looking at the budget right now as of today and they have one line.
that was appropriated with 125,000 and it has 50% left, but it's for their general communication services,
which is what they use for their, I believe it's the radios and that kind of thing. So that is also
a contract amount that has already been obligated. Okay. And we wouldn't have come here if we had an
opportunity to move that before. And we try to do that for you guys each time.
And that's why I have to ask, because I'm your liaison, and I didn't know, and I didn't hear about it.
So I have these questions, and we're having the discussion now. One thing, and please understand that
this is not, it's moving so fast. It's moving so fast that, you're right, for me to get to you so quickly,
it's not, tomorrow we have an attorney coming to our facility.
That's terrifying, I get it. And all I'm saying to you is, and in my brain, maybe I'm being too simple,
it's too simple for me, is that what I'm asking is something I thought was reasonable because you appropriate
it to yourselves. And believe me, I am not gonna sit in front of you after something that I could actually
take care of myself because from day one, I always said, I've got to move fast. So if I could do it
on my own,
Council member, I would. Thank you. Council member Hawke. Just a suggestion, maybe what they need is
a new line within the services, then they can move it up and down within that as they choose. We don't
need to do an additional appropriation. As you said, we don't do that in the middle
you know, before we get closer to the end of the year when they still have money in the fund. They don't
have you don't they don't have any other money in that category. That's not specifically headed out
to some particular contract or service. That's what I was hearing from this show. But I see another
hand. Thank you. I appreciate the candor. I think it's we need it. It's this
job we've been elected to up here to meet the fiscal control and ask these questions in a public way.
You have an attorney in mind? You have somebody, if this moves forward, do you have somebody you've
got lined up to hire tomorrow? Or do you have someone identified? I'm having a difficult time to understand
everything that we're really discussing with you right now. I don't know if the council asked themselves
the same question.
You're in a hurry, Sheriff. I'm just asking if you got somebody in line. I'm trying to understand what
difference would it make for what I'm asking for. Well, then let me follow up with why I'm asking. So
if you have somebody in mind, you can consult with them as soon as possible. One of the conditions by
which your office has not been able to participate in working groups to find a solution to the jail
is consulting with counsel. So my interest would be saying, well, if we can get you an attorney to talk
to, and if that would
free up your office to come to sit with us to try to solve the solution or get to a solution. I mean,
I think that's an incentive for us to vote on that. So that's my question then. I mean, if you've got
somebody in mind, that's great. I don't need to know their name. But if this has been a condition by
which your office has not been able to participate in public conversations about the future of the jail,
I want to know if we can move forward on that. Well, as certain things that you stated, I think you
mentioned subcommittee. Yeah.
We're getting off track here, some way. Well, no, because you've said in correspondence in the county
that one of the conditions by which your office can't participate in that subcommittee is you need to
consult with litigation counsel. This is an opportunity to bring them on for you. My question now is,
if we move forward with appropriation and you can go get the attorney tomorrow morning, are there any
other barriers for your office participating in that work group? I'm going to repeat myself that I'm
asking the counsel for
additional appropriation. This is not the time at this point for me to discuss the subcommittee. If
you'd like, I'd be more than happy to come back and discuss that, but not this evening. That's fair.
I'll hold you to your office's email about that, but thank you, Madam President. I'll move on. Okay.
Thank you. I lost it.
The only thing I will say is when we were discussing way back when, back in April, I got a lot of questions
about do we have somebody in mind. So I guess I understand where y'all are coming from, but we don't
have anybody right now. That conversation has been ceased until we can figure stuff out and then we'll
bring that back. But I think as a clarifying into all the things,
maybe and I understand that y'all are super duper busy but I think maybe what would have helped is if
the liaisons were like worked with because I'm not certain if it sounds like I'm looking at faces right
now that maybe liaisons weren't consulted which is that's kind of why I was the little puzzle with my
faces because in the packet it says council or liaisons were notified so I think
A lot of clarifying questions with this, with respect to what you're asking, might have been helpful
to have that, in the interest of time and an email of some sort. Again, not disputing anything, I just
wanted to point that out there. Any other further questions or comments? Oh, yes, Councilwoman Huck.
All right, I still, coming back to, and of course that'll depend on whether or not, you know,
the group wants to move forward with this in any way. But if they do, then we need a line item from
which they have to pay it out of. And it matters not if the other items in that category has already
been spoken for. They can still pay it. The cash is in there. They can pay it and then reduce from other
lines within that category.
or come back and ask for a transfer, they can transfer on their own if it stays in the same category.
They can move that, they can do that tomorrow if it stays in the same category. It just leaves them
less money to do something else in that category. And if they determine that down the way, they've done
what they can to save whatever the money is, they can come back and ask for a transfer. They cannot
transfer on their own
from one category to the next. So I think you were right on your first thought, Council Member Wilson,
that to move this off into the center. But maybe the group would rather just say no. I mean,
I don't know. They did not contact me. I guess they didn't think they needed my help. Well, I can speak
to that, I guess. I think I've done a
a pretty good job for the office in trying to communicate with our liaisons. Just about anything that
comes up, I try to bring to them. As to this issue, we talked about it as a group, and the sheriff's
belief was it was pretty straightforward. We didn't think there would be a lot of communication needed
for something that has already been appropriated. Commissioner Henry said that everybody essentially,
in that April 28th meeting, that everybody would likely need their own counsel.
for obvious reasons, and I think that's fair. Council Member Feidl said it was almost hypocritical to
approve that $30,000 based on how you guys are having to move through this budget season, which is almost
impossible. So kudos for that, actually. And Council Member Crossley said that it would likely cost
more down the road. We're trying to get a start. We're trying to begin this session here. And honestly,
It's happening faster than we can even deal with right now. And that was part of, I guess, the lack
of communication, maybe. But we thought it was pretty straightforward. So our apologies. Thank you for
that. And thank you for the information, Sheriff, tonight in this discussion. I appreciate council's
council, council members questions here. And I'm going to throw something out and
maybe I'm the only one that can throw this out, and maybe for that reason, we put what I throw out in
the trash can. But given some of the discussion here tonight, I wonder, A, council's not moved forward
on their council requests that we discussed in that meeting in April. B, in-house council, there's a
lot of council
in-house counsel has indicated that we have dangling issues out with our insurance provider about what
happens doesn't happen. I thought I have and I'll throw it out if it's nothing everybody just sit and
stare at me it'll be just like home and then just move on with whatever anything else you will not offend
me. If we were to make both of our bodies on parity until we get meaning strike
our past action, which we apparently haven't moved on and wait for response from in-house counsel. So
we could maybe move into some sort of concerted effort towards legal counsel. Would that make this situation
a little bit more survivable for now? And if that is not clear or a thing that even sounds remotely,
basically to say,
this body and that body until we get better answers on what insurance is going to cover is going to
hold off on just counsel that's not from in-house legal. So I'll throw that idea out. So essentially
what you're saying is able until we figure out. And legally, since we we authorize, which the sheriff
has brought up and others have brought up, we
gave ourselves, the council, the ability to get outside council. If we were to remove that,
hold on theirs, and then get responses from insurance on what does this look like, what does it not
look like, then we might be able to move forward in some sort of concerted effort that they get this
and we might need that and ring the bell at three o'clock on Thursdays or whatever other requirements
would come out.
I float that to bring things back to parity. One of the concerns I had at the time, and I think I probably
said it, is I worried about us going off in any piecemeal fashion towards outside council, particularly
when we don't know. But there were a lot of pressures in that situation, and we don't have to relitigate
that, not to use that term, but I wonder if that wouldn't bring a little bit of equality to the difficulties
we find ourselves in.
If I understand correctly, go ahead. Sorry. Sorry, Sheriff, to jump in. I think what insurance has basically
said is you have to get sued for us to make a decision, because we don't know what that lawsuit is.
We don't know what it looks like. So before we decide or commit to a position here, we're going to have
to see the suit. And I think, and I'm not speaking for the sheriff, but I think there's legal questions
that they're going to have before the suit is filed.
And so, I mean, you could wait for insurance counsel to say, okay, now you're sued, but I mean, I don't
know when the suit's coming. They don't know when the suit's coming. But the questions are here now.
On the head, because we're experiencing right now. It's not if, it's happening to us right now. And
to echo what she, if you take offense to this, I do apologize. It was not intentional not to go through
our liaison. It's just the timing was like so fast. It really was. And again, I will not be sitting
here in front of you if it wasn't urgent because they're coming at us. And what she explained is happening.
So I don't we don't have the luxury to wait like you're you're suggesting. And when this comes forward,
your if you guys get named are going to be facing different issues than what we are going to be facing,
obviously. Uh, and hopefully you don't get named, but we are accustomed to being named in these types
of things because no matter what the sheriff gets named, if it's in the jail, no matter what the jail
commander gets named, it's part of it. Uh, and we've been in process with our insurance for different
things. We've been in process with our in-house legal counsel. So it's, it's something that we're a
little bit more acclimated with, but this litigation aspect is something that I've, I've never encountered
before from the ACLU.
other than this agreement we've been working under. So this is uncharted territory in some regards,
and that's why we need a specialized counsel. And King has her hand up and then I'll go to Councilor
Wilts next. And I think it's important to note that Mr. Falk is going to their office tomorrow. I mean,
as a former public defender, if my client was going to talk to basically the prosecutor in this instance,
which is Mr. Falk, I wouldn't want him to do it alone.
I would want attorneys there. And that's where we are right now. That's where we are right now. Where's
the county attorney? They don't specialize that. They're not litigation attorneys. And ultimately I
think county attorneys will be conflicted out. Okay. All right. I'm going to Councilor Wilts and then
I'll go to Councilor Fido. I have three questions that came in my head since I started the last one.
The one I was going to well
really, I just want to make sure I'm understanding what we're deciding. And it sounds like to me that
y'all need to take action. And I think the point's well taken that the reason that I remember saying
yes to $30,000, which I was iffy on, but the reason I said yes was because we, prior to getting sued,
it wasn't really about
I figured that's going to be a bigger production. But we wanted to be able to ask somebody some questions.
And so I totally respect that need. But to Councillor Hawke's point, you can pay for that out of your
current, even if they are obligated to something else. I mean, if you, and this is really, I'm trying to
just make it clear that you don't have to come to us, but you just need to let us know if that makes
sense. So you've got another line for the communication something radios. You could take that, what
you have left in that, and you could put it toward something else in that same category, which would
be this line, the legislation settlement and mediation.
And you're with in your rights to transfer because it's in the same category. And you could do that
like this. And I think that was counselor Hawks point. And we actually encourage that for something
that you need right away as long as you're letting us know. Because what that means is you're going
to be short in that other line. Right. It's going to come time for however you've got that set up quarterly
payment or whatever monthly payment and you're going to run out by however much you borrowed. So at
that point.
You're like, hey, remember when I told you I had to borrow this to do this other thing? Well,
now I need that. And we'll be like, oh, yeah, right. That's what we've typically asked departments to
do. And that was sort of the beginning of my. So what I'm choosing between, and I think we have to figure
out, is do we want to say, hey, just go back and use your own funds for this and keep track and let
us know, or which
The parity thing, I think, is a good point. I mean, you came in here with that as your kind of basis.
Hey, you know, we just want to make sure you're being fair to everybody. It does sort of look bad to
not. I get that. Yeah, I mean, we weren't able to, but we, you know. I hear you. Everything moves so
fast for us, for us to come back and ask you,
It's very, very difficult. And again, I didn't really anticipate that we'll be having this conversation,
because to be fair, you appropriated yourselves $300,000, $30,000, and you haven't been even named.
Well, no one's been named yet. And or approached. And we have.
So I'm struggling here to really make sense of this, that I'm being told how to do this when that has
been budgeted already. And what I'm hearing you saying is go ahead and use that and come back when you
need to and ask. I don't have the luxury of time to be doing that every single time. And all I'm asking
is to be fair to me.
what you did to yourself. I'm just being very plain, very specific. And the council has not been approached
yet to need an attorney. I have, we have, right now. I guess to kind of hear, Councilor Wilton, please
correct me if I'm not explaining what your point is.
What it sounds like, what she was saying and Councilman Huck was saying is, if you already have, like
you can literally, like you could do an in-house transfer today. Is that what you're saying? So you
already have it there. However, if you take it from another line item and you do this appropriate, like
you do that, you let your liaisons know that that's the transfer that you're gonna do. And then if you
come up short in that particular area for something else,
you can come back to council for whatever you've used in that short timeframe. Am I? Yeah, you can come
back in November and be like, we need our last payment for the radio lease or whatever, you know, and
never having come to us before, as long as you let us know, you know. Cause I think to be fair though,
like I know it keeps going back and forth and I get what you're saying. But in terms of council, I think,
The idea was we don't have any kind of line or anything like that. So I think that was one of the biggest
things as why, I'll say it for myself, as why that was a thing that took place. I think maybe, I'll
speak for myself, if we had something there, we could transfer, you know, if we had a line item dedicated
to something like that, we could. And maybe that was something that we could do.
But I mean, in the interest of time, when you're saying that you have to move quickly, this is one way
that I would think what they're saying is that you can move quickly. You just do the transfer, do it.
And then if there's something else that you need in the time frame, you could come back. Nobody's disputing
who's coming at you, who's doing that at all. I think that's what it sounds like folks are trying to say.
Well, I mean, these are lines that we zero out every year. I mean, these are things that we have to
pay out throughout there, and you guys understand how that works. For this, this is not something that
we could have prepared for. We didn't know that we were going to come to this. None of us did, obviously.
But this is not something that we can work through our budget, or we feel this is not something we can
work through our budget, and then at the end of the year,
come back and say, hey, can we have X amount of dollars? Because it's going to start flipping. What
if we need more money for our council? Are we going to pull then? We're trying to get ahead of this
so that we can still maintain our budget throughout the end of the year and still handle this ACL thing
and still handle all the things that come at us every day. So that's kind of what it is. And I get that.
I guess I'm just trying to look out for some of the things nobody's disputed in anything and what you're
like, well,
We're just trying to figure out like the best way and action. And I know you're saying, well, we did
it and you did it too. And to Councilor Wilts's point, I understand where you're coming from with that.
I think we're just trying to grab our heads as to like how to move forward from here. I think that's
what it sounds like. Right. Councilor Feidl. So I'm thinking about tomorrow. You mentioned tomorrow,
right? So who's representing you tomorrow? Me. Okay. So you're going to be the council. Yeah. Not a
good idea for us.
If you get this money tonight, would you be able to call somebody else in? That is not the point. I
just want to know. Well, this is just tomorrow. I mean, it starts tomorrow, and then they are going
to have follow-up, and then they are going to start meeting. But a question like that, think about that.
Why would you ask me a question like that? Would I have someone to? I am coming to you for assistance.
I am coming to you for help. But I thought you also wanted somebody to represent you tomorrow. I mean,
I thought that I heard
Well, the point we made with tomorrow was that's how fast it's moving. It doesn't necessarily, either
he's coming to meet with potential clients tomorrow. That's what that is. Councillor Huck. You know,
I know that somebody else is probably working on your budgets and you're just went, but take the line.
Just say thank you.
We'll put a line in place. You want me to say thank you? That's what I heard you say to me. You can
transfer the very day it gets on there. You can do it. We don't have to do it. You're ready to go tomorrow.
Isn't that what you want? I think maybe you either don't understand that what we're trying to do is
give you immediate opportunity to do what you need to do. But we have to create a line.
for you to do it out of. We thought there was a line that you sing that low, so we'll create a new line.
And you can use that money tomorrow. There's still money in those categories. And then if you run out
or need more money in there, then you can come and we can do transfer from other portions of your budget
over into there. It really works. So you'll approve this
You're lying. Do you say it wouldn't work? Absolutely not. I know you wouldn't. But you'll prove this
very issue later on. You just won't do it now. I'm not going to say what's going to happen two months,
five months, because none of us knows what's going to happen. But that's what you're asking them to
come back and do. Right now, you need something to say you're protected right now. And all you need
is a line to put money into that line, right?
We need your help in being appropriated for $30,000. You could do that within that category. You don't
need us to do it. I do not. I do not. When you run out of money for what? I mean, the commissioners
do it all the time. I do not need to be told to be thankful. Well, I think we all have a lot to be thankful
for in this. Not in this situation. Let's work together. That took a very offensive turn there.
Move on to Councilor Decker. Thank you very much. Again, I'm going to come at this in the spirit of
problem solving and my recommendation on this is that at least let me speak for myself. I'm going to
vote for this request and I've heard lots of great discussions. I think sometimes the discussions we
get into maybe gets into the technical and the merits of the technical and I think that's
awesome towards the taxpayers benefit. But ultimately, if I were a psychic, and sometimes in elected
office, you gotta be a bit of one to predict the future and try to figure out your direction.
But I would say, either way, if the sheriff goes throughout that counselors are recommending,
either way, does that now or we vote for this motion, at some point this year, if I were predicting,
there will be a vote on $30,000. And what I don't want to lose in this back and forth conversation,
which is good for us, I don't want to lose that spirit going into other conversations that need to happen
not about $30,000 there. I think that this energy could be well supplied into more fruitful things to
get us out of our present dilemma, which sucks and we got to do. So for me, I'm going to not only
vote yes on this preparation. I'm going to call the question so we can just record it. And then the
sheriff's got advice if it fails. All right. Um, we'll go to public comment before we do that. Um, and
so if there's public comment on this item, you can come forward to the lectern here in the room or raise
your hand via teams. Seeing none, maybe please have a roll call vote.
Councilor Fiddle. Yes. Councilor Hawk. No. Councilor Wilts. Yes. Councilor Henry. Yes. All they can
do. Councilor Decker. Yes. Councilor Crossley. Yes. Councilor Iverson. Yes. Motion passes six to one.
Thank you very much. Okay. Next up is
Well, item D is tabled. E and F are two. So now we will move on to item G. Council, I move to approve
the Waste Reduction District's request and fund 1215 cumulative capital for an additional appropriation
of $45,199 in the capital category. Second.
All right, we have a motion and a second, and we are joined by Mr. Iglesias. Welcome. Good evening.
Hello. Good evening. Yes, thank you. As you can see from the information in your packet, obviously we've
had a very interesting spring weather-wise, and a few months ago, having to do some repairs on our roof,
and the contractor advised us that in all likelihood, that is the original roof to a building that was
built in 1996, and it's time to replace it.
It is an asphalt shingle roof, so getting 30 years out of it is, I think, pretty impressive. But it
has been recommended to be replaced. You can see that in information we did seek out quotes from three
local roofing contractors in discussions with our board. It was decided that going with a metal roof
was the best option for the district to move forward.
The amount requested is based on the quote included in the packet, which is the lowest quote we received
for a metal roof. Honestly, off the top of my head, I don't recall if the shingle quote listed in there
was the lowest shingle quote we received, but you can see we are looking at about a $10,000 or $11,000
difference between the shingle roof and the metal roof, which we believe will be more than made up for in the
savings and maintenance costs and the lifespan of the roof. Thank you very much. We'll look to council
for any questions or comments. Councilor Wilks. I just want to express that as a member of the board
that we did discuss this and I can't really say it any better than Tom did but he perfectly represents
our discussions.
the executive committee and justification for going with the the metal roof. I was saying this to Mr.
McGlass and just about half a week ago but that building is really out out punches its way in all that
happens in there not only with the district but with
our extension friends that are around there in the community room, which gets a lot of attention and
just the visibility is huge. And so it's always, I'm always appreciative that something on the south
side or heading towards the south side of the county is doing something big and it's not all just downtown.
Thank you. Anybody else? Any questions? All right. I will move on to public comment and
If there's public comment on this item, you can come forward to the lectern here in the room or raise
your hand via Teams. And seeing none. Councillor Hawke? Yes. Councillor Fiddle? Yes. Councillor Wilts?
Yes. Councillor Henry?
Councilor Decker? Yes. Councilor Iverson? Yes. Councilor Crossley? Yes. Motion passes unanimously. Okay,
thank you. All right, next up is item H. Council, I move to approve the Waste Reduction District's request
and fund 8210, general operating, for an additional appropriation of $69,000 in the capital category.
Second. All right, we got a motion and a second. Again. All right, this one's a little bit bigger.
But as you can imagine, for the services that we provide, we rely on a large fleet of roll-off boxes
for the recyclables and the waste that we collect at our facilities. And unfortunately, we have a very
aging inventory of those boxes that have not been properly maintained, I guess, over the years, to put
it bluntly. And we are in
The contractor that performs the repairs for us, you know, we are in immediate need of replacing I believe
the nine boxes identified in this appropriation request. And you'll see in a few months we'll be budgeting
to replace additional boxes in the coming years.
Our operations director, Joey Long, has developed a plan moving forward to better monitor the boxes
and inspect them more regularly and track the maintenance on them and work on a replacement schedule
so that we don't find ourselves in this situation again moving forward.
I believe we have about 62 boxes in our inventory. Over the coming years, we will probably be looking
at replacing 15 to 20 of those boxes in total. This is the first step of that. Unfortunately, we do
not have adequate funds in our capital category.
to purchase this, but I think you can see the information provided in the packet. You know, we do have
adequate unappropriated funds in the bank to cover this purchase, and so we are making the request.
Are these the big things we all throw our stuff in? Yes. Okay. That was a very nice description on paper,
but I'm like, wait a minute, I've spent a lot of time on these, so thank you.
At some point in time, I would like to know what you might expect down the line out of lip funds, which
I know you don't receive now, but I know that your revenue is going to change. So I haven't been watching
your meetings, but that's part of what I would like to have a separate conversation about.
No further questions or comments. We will move forward to public comment. There's public comment on
this item. You can come forward to the lectern here in the room or raise your hand via Teams.
Seeing none, may we please have a roll call vote? Councillor Crossley? Yes. Councillor Iverson? Yes.
Councillor Feidl? Yes. Councillor Hawke? Yes. Councillor Henry?
Councillor Decker. Yes. Passes unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. Have a good evening. All right.
Next up, I don't see the treasurer here, but there is item I for the treasurer. Her chief deputy is
here. Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Okay. So we'll make Council Iverson make that motion.
I move to open for discussion and possible approval of the treasurer's request to be exempt from the
hiring freeze and be allowed to hire and fund 1000-0003 County General Treasurer, one full-time collections
deputy. Second. All right, we got a motion and a second. We are joined by the chief deputy. I'm so sorry
about that. Welcome. All right, so Kathy couldn't be here. She's in the hospital with her brother. Can
you pull the mic closer and down? There you go.
So my full-time employee, one of my four, is retiring and we need to fill the position. What else do
I need to say? All right. That was pretty simple. Okay. Questions or comments from council on this item?
Councilor Hawk. Yes. I had quite a long conversation with a treasurer and understand that
They have such a small group to do their job and it's hard if you lose one fourth of your workforce
and they need it. We need the treasurer's office to work smoothly with the auditor's office and we all
know how important the collections are because it seems that we don't know how to quit spending. We
just want you to bring us the money so we can spend it. So anyway, I appreciate the fact that this department
reached out to their liaison. We discussed this at length. Yes, Councilor Decker. First, best to Kathy
with everything going on. Thank you for being here and thank you for being patient. But also, I don't
want to ever to get lost in the busyness of this meeting, thanks to a 25-year employee who really devoted
time. That's a serious commitment to this county. It is. It's gonna be a big loss for knowledge.
Other further questions or comments on this item will go to public comment. Raise your hand via Teams,
or you can come forward to the podium in the room. Excuse me. And seeing none, maybe please have a roll
call vote. Councillor Iverson? Yes. Councillor Feidl? Yes. Councillor Hock? Yes. Councillor Wilts? Yes.
Councillor Henry? Yes. Councillor Deckard? Yes. Councillor Crossley? Yes.
Motion passes unanimous. All right, next up is item J. Council, I move to approve the treasurer's request
and fund 1000-0003 County General Treasurer to create account line 16800 transitional temporary training
position and simultaneously amend the 2026 salary ordinance to add the account line in order to allow
for a period of training on the collections deputy position. Second. All right, what would you like?
We will not be needing that.
As she is retiring Friday, we don't have a crossover time that we thought we would, so we will not be
needing any additional appropriation. Okay. So you don't need that account line at all? No. Okay. No,
we do not. Council, I move to remove my motion. Okay. So then that is all from the treasurer's office.
Thank you very much. All right. Thank you so much. Have a good evening. All right. Next up is item K
from the public defender's office.
Council, I move to open for discussion and possible approval of the public defender's request to be
exempt from the hiring freeze and be allowed to hire in fund 1000 dash zero two seven one county general
public defender one part time hourly position. Second. All right. We got a motion and a second. We're
joined by Mr. Hunt and Heather stuff. We're welcome. Hello. Good evening. Um, this council person and
members of the council, the, um, we have a part time
person, is that close enough? That does a number of things and that person is leaving to go to law school.
In addition to working in what I'll call our outer office, answering the phone, doing the mail, that
type of thing, this job has kind of evolved into
we call a discovery person, and that is to say, oh, some number of years back, if we would get a police
report or material from the prosecutor's office, it could be like this or it could be this or 50 pages.
Now, with all the electronic things, we get video cameras, we get all the things the police
badge recordings, which are unbelievable. And they send those all to this person who then distributes
those to the attorneys. So we need that job and we're asking that we be allowed, the money is already
there from last budget and we're asking to be allowed to hire. All right. All right. Thank you for that.
Any questions or comments from council on this item?
I was just curious how long you've had this one part-time person position about. I think we've had this
position about three years. Okay. And usually we hire them for about a year and then they go on and
go to graduate school or law school or something. Thank you. All right. So seeing none, we'll move to
public comment.
If there is public comment, please raise your hand via Teams or come forward to the lectern. And seeing
none, may we please have a roll call vote. Councilor Hawk? No. Councilor Wilts? Yes. Councilor Henry?
Yes. Councilor Deckard? Yes. Councilor Crossley? Yes. Councilor Iverson?
Councilor Feidl? Yes. Motion passes, majority six to one. Next up, item L. Council, I will mercifully
be combining items L and M into one motion. I move to approve the public defender's request and fund
8117-0000 Title IV-E grants to create account lines that are outlined on the agenda, approve additional
appropriations of $64,349 in the personnel category,
and simultaneously amend the 2026 salary ordinance to add account lines 13038 system navigator and 13039
system navigator at 40 hours, Comet D, non-exempt. Second. We've got a motion in a second. What would
you like to add to this item? Yes, I will let, well, basically, we believe that we have the money
already for this year for these two positions. I will let Ms. Stufel explain how we got here. So the
Title IV-E grant, I believe we got starting in 2022, and it basically gives us the remaining 60% of
all of our cost expenses on CHINS cases and TPR cases. It covers the
remaining 60% that we aren't reimbursed from our state reimbursement, but only for those cases. So we,
I believe have about $84,000 in there, 80 some thousand that we've received since the inception of this
grant. And we would like to get some of those funds appropriated to help the rest of the year cover
those two system navigators
since the system navigator grant is now gone. We have the money, we just need permission to spend it.
All right. Yes, Councilor Williams. I'm just asking about the future of these positions ahead of
budget preparation, what should we expect to see? Okay, sure. Um, this, this grant, I know we're in
for a number of years, three or four years, and it's gradually being phased out by the state. Um, the
county has then picked it up. Uh, and I think county is now paying 60% and the state is still doing
the 40%. That is, that is gone. That's why we're using this money. So yes,
and budget time, we will have to come out back and ask for appropriation for the two positions. So it'd
be 40% above what the county is paying right now on each position. In the 2027 budget. 2027, right.
And I did include that on the 144s. You're using money,
that you get back from the state to fund this part, but for 2027, are you looking at that same funding
source or maybe general fund or? Well, I'm asking for them to be fully funded instead of 60%, 100% in
county general, yes. Okay, that's what I thought, thank you. And this other, the four, is it the 4E?
That fund is,
We can use it for anything, but it's directed towards juveniles. And that's what these system navigators
work in. So we've talked to the people in Indianapolis and they say that's permissible to use that money.
One thing, not on this, because it sounds like you've done all the money wizardry that we always do
to manage this day to day and then start heading towards the next thing.
For next year, if we were to do that fully fund, is there a portion of that? That would be 40% talk
about that. Our state reimbursement covers. They reimburse us 40% of all expenses for public defense.
So toilet paper even is reimbursed at 40%. That's I always like to ask about that so that doesn't get
lost in the shuffle. This is a unique.
county agency that is not unlike any other. And if there's a legislature, remember the legislature that's
eavesdropping on any of this meeting after we had that first half talking about our future and difficulties
with money. This model for the state's involvement in all things judiciary might not be too far off
on what they should look at, but that's something we always have to keep in mind that the fact that
literally that toilet paper
it gets that reimbursement rate and that has to factor into that decision-making. Yes, Councillor Hock.
Yes, I do remember when this was brought to us as a new service and we asked specifically what are you
going to do because there's no guarantee it was going to go on and we continued to tell everybody when
you lose a grant
that you lose the position. Now I understand I'm the only person that's going to vote against continuing
to grow grant employees. Folks, you saw what happened with our budget this past year. We were millions
spending more than what was coming in.
Well, I would say this, we keep arresting more people, prosecuting more people, so they're afraid you
have to defend them. I get it. And especially I appreciate the fact that this is tied to juveniles.
Right. And I believe from everything I see and read that we're having more and more problems in the
juvenile section of people who need public defense.
So this is a tough one to try to figure out, but it looks like you've got it figured out for at least
one year. Is that right? And then when we do budgets for 2027, we'll have to look at this as we would
any. So I would just support it for getting us through this year. Are there any other questions or comments?
Seeing none, I'll go ahead and go to public comment. If there's public comment, you can come forward
to the lectern here in the room and raise your hand via Teams. Seeing none, maybe please have a roll
call vote. Councillor Wilts? Yes. Councillor Henry? Yes. Councillor Deckard? Yes. Councillor Crossley?
Yes. Councillor Iverson? Yes. Councillor Feidl? Yes.
yes now but don't count on it for next year's budget. Motion passes unanimously. Next up is item in.
Council I move to approve the public defender's request and fund 8117-0000 title IVE grant to deappropriate
$35,000 in the services category. All right we got a motion and a second. This is some of that
for e-money that we moved to special services in case we needed it. We haven't needed it this year and
so we're putting it back to fund the rest of these two people for the rest of this year. Any questions
or comments on this item? Seeing none, I'll go to public comment. Come forward to the lectern here in the room.
or raise your hand via Teams. And seeing none, maybe please have a roll call vote. Councilor Decker?
Yes. Councilor Crossley? Yes. Councilor Iverson? Yes. Councilor Feidl? Yes. Councilor Hawk? Yes. Councilor
Wilts? Yes. Councilor Henry? Yes. Motion passes unanimous. All right. Thank you very much. We appreciate
it. Thank you. Thank you.
Great. Next up, we have a statement. Wait, we're going to chat lab. No, the salary ordinance portion.
We combine that. We combine those together. We combine those. So, all right. Item O. Council.
Council, I move to approve the probation department's request and fund 9122-0000 JDAI coordination to
create account lines as outlined on the agenda and to simultaneously approve additional appropriations
of $3,200 in the supplies category and $2,250 in the services category for a total appropriation of
$5,450. Second. All right. And we are joined by the one and the only Ms. Linder.
welcome thank you good evening I'm Linda Brady chief probation officer so this is an annual appropriation
for the juvenile detention alternatives initiative grant that we received this grant from the Department
of Correction and the Indiana Department of Correction requires that we have three separate grants so
for these different purposes they require one for coordination and implementation and
one for data analysis, and one for programming. So this is the first of the three appropriation requests.
This is for the coordination and implementation grant, and it funds JDAI activities such as professional
development materials, travel training, and meals for committee and work group meetings. Any questions?
All right, any questions she asks? So looking to council to see if anybody has any.
No, it's a pleasure to appropriate money like this. Nice. Right. Sorry, my brain is gone. So public
comment time, yes. If there's public comment, you can come forward to the lectern here in the room or
raise your hand via Teams. Can we please have a roll call vote?
Councillor Crossley. Yes. Councillor Iverson. Yes. Councillor Fiddle has stepped away. Councillor Hawke.
Yes. Councillor Henry. Yes. Councillor Wilts. Yes. Councillor Decker. Yes. Passes unanimous 6-0. Next
up item P.
Council, I move to approve the Probation Department's request and fund 9123-0000 JDAI programming to
create account lines as outlined on the agenda and to simultaneously approve additional appropriations
of $21,400 in the supplies category and $39,400 in the services category for a total appropriation of
$60,800. Second.
All right, we got a motion and a resounding second. What would you like to add? OK, to add to that,
I forgot to mention that the total of all the grants is 80,000 this grant year, which is a 5,000 increase
over last grant year. And it's pretty surprising to be able to get an increase because the state actually
cut the JDAI budget line in the state budget. So to get an increase, that was quite a surprise and a
tribute to, I think, our
excellent JDAI program. And I want to also give a shout out to Christine McAfee, our wonderful JDAI
coordinator. She does so much community work to get these programs up and going and with the community
partners. So the programming, that is the most of the grant. The grant is mostly to do contracts with
local programming and to work with youth and families.
and we do it through MOUs, memorandums of understanding that Molly is now diligently working on 10 of
them for next week. So for such things as Monroe County Childhood Conditions Summit, People and Animals
Learning Services, PALS, work on the parent project, Parent Teen Solutions, Truancy Termination Program
with Youth Services Bureau, Teen Intervene,
in the warehouse youth mentoring program. That's just to name some of the programs. And again, Christine
works really hard with the community partners to figure out what the needs are to try to fill some gaps
with this funding. It's not a ton of money, but it's enough so that parents and families don't have
to pay anything for these services. And it's open to community members. You don't have to be justice
involved. You don't have to be involved in the chin system.
It's really for anybody. So it's excellent opportunities for our community. Thank you for that
and congratulations. I know last year, either last year or this year, we were hearing that the MC3 was
having some funding issues. So this gives me great joy to see that they have something that hopefully
they will be able to continue. So that's really good. And I know my oldest had participated. Yes, yeah.
Yeah, a while ago back in the summit. So I appreciate that. Thank you. Any other questions or comments
for Ms. Brady on this item? Refreshing part of the evening. We need it. So we'll move on to public comment.
If there is public comment, you can raise your hand via Teams or you can come forward to the lectern
here in the room.
Seeing none, may we please have a roll call vote? Councillor Iverson? Yes. Councillor Feidl? Yes. Councillor
Hawke? Yes. Councillor Wilts? Yes. Councillor Henry? Yes. Councillor Deckard? Yes. Councillor Crossley?
Yes. Motion passes unanimous, 7-0. Okay, and last up on the probation department is item Q.
Council, I move to approve the probation department's request and fund ninety one seventy five dash
zero zero zero zero JD AI data analysis grant to create new account lines as outlined on the agenda
and simultaneously approve additional appropriations of thirteen thousand seven hundred fifty dollars
in the services category. All right. We got a motion in a second. Would you like that? Just that this
funds our data analysis
services from Impact Solutions, also Indiana University research partners who are working with our clientele
to evaluate their impressions of the services that they receive from the probation department, and then
also request case management licenses. That's our case management database. So kind of techie, more tech
things and analysis and more data. That's something Christine talks a lot about is trying to make data
informed decisions with JDAI. So that's where this money is put towards. That's it. Thank you very much
for that. All right. Any questions or comments for Ms. Brady on her final item? Seeing none.
We'll go to public comment. If there's public comment on this item, you can raise your hand via Teams
or come forward to the lectern here in the room. And seeing none, maybe please have a roll call vote.
Councillor Feidl? Yes. Councillor Hawke? Yes. Councillor Wilts? Yes. Councillor Henry? Yes. Councillor
Decker? Yes. Councillor Crossley? Yes. Councillor Iverson? Yes. Motion passes unanimous 7-0.
All right, we appreciate it. Thank you very much. Have a good night. Thank you for your patience.
All right, next up is item R from the health department. Council, I move to approve the health department's
request and fund 8104-9626 Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant for a category transfer of $1,998.91
from the services category to the supplies category. All right, we got a motion and a second.
and we are joined here by Ms. Lori Kelly. Welcome. Good evening. This grant cycle is winding down, so
we've just been looking at some ways that we can move some of the funds around to be able to use down
the remaining balances. We did recently our
Public Health Preparedness Director came to me with some ideas about ways that we could use some of
our funds for supplies. So that's really the purpose of this request. We'll be able to allow us to purchase
prescription bottles that we can have on stock when needed and sunscreen, educational materials that
we're planning for a health fair coming up July 19th. All right. Any questions or comments for Ms. Kelly
on this item?
We'll move to public comment. If there's public comment on this item, you can come forward to the lectern
here in the room or raise your hand via team. And seeing none, maybe please have a roll call vote. Councillor
Hawke. Yes. Councillor Wilks. Yes. Councillor Henry. Yes. Councillor Deckard. Yes. Councillor Crossley.
Yes. Councillor Iverson. Yes. Councillor Feidl. Yes.
Motion passes unanimous 7-0. Thank you. Next up is item S. Council, I will be combining items S and
T into one motion.
I move to approve the health department's request and fund 8111-9624 crisis coag supplemental workforce
grant for a category transfer of $27,126 from the services category to the personnel category
and simultaneously create new account lines as outlined on the agenda and amend the 2026 salary ordinance
to add account line 10176 public health nurse 35 hours Pat C.
Non exempt. What would you like to add to this item?
much so this is just moving this position out of the Health First Indiana funds into those remaining
grant funds that we're working to continue spending down. Currently that fund is supporting our public
health nurse school liaison position and we are looking at moving our other nurse position that covers
communicable disease into this same fund next year to just continue working these funds down.
I know I have seen this a hundred times but I have no idea what it stands for what is crisis coag is
that short for something? Yes cooperative agreement I believe so it's back like COVID when there were
different funding sources. Thank you. You're welcome.
me did we do something similar with the different position like this on the 20s like at our May 26 meeting
we recently came for approval to hire the public health nurse school liaison position which is funded
by these dollars right now okay okay and so is this covered through
next year or yes so we anticipate that we'll still be using these funds next year. Part of the reason
for this change is it does allow flexibility because we don't have those restrictions on
only being able to serve Indiana residents who can prove that they're lawfully here. So that's really
kind of one of the reasons we were working with a candidate who we thought we were going to move forward
with. And really, when you have a new nurse coming into these positions, there's so much that they're
already taking on learning to kind of add that additional piece. It's just kind of a challenge. And
if we have options to reduce one thing from their plate, that's really kind of what I just
wanted to be able to do for them. Okay and I guess the only other question is because Indiana has a
whiplash of doing all the things and I know of course we've kind of over the past year have gone back
and forth with moving things in and out. Is there any indication that once this grant is over with next
year do you think you will be awarded this again to continue these initiatives? Not for the
intended original purpose, because this was really to increase workforce capacity during COVID and some
of those response periods. So it was more related to preparedness. So no, we don't anticipate this,
these same dollars, preceding them in the future. Okay. Yes, Councilor Iverson. When you were, we keep
talking about nurses and when you were here last time, we talked about just
how competitive the field is because there's not enough nurses in the field. Can you give us a quick
update on vacancies in your department? Sure. So we have reposted with the updated changes to the health
services director. So we're getting interest in applicants for that position. We have received
an enormous amount of applications for the clinical assistant, which we were really expecting because
that's the most interest that we were getting before we actually even received approval for that. So
we're working on setting up interviews now. There's someone in the office who's doing our pre-screening
and getting those scheduled. I did happen to notice recently that the public health nurse position
Um, I'm not really sure what happened, but had been removed from the County website. So for some period
of time, that job was not posted. Um, so that's now been corrected. And so we'll be looking to move
forward and trying to recruit for those positions. Thank you. Yes. Ms. Turner King. I have, um, maybe
a clarifying question. Is the school liaison position currently vacant? Yes.
And what is the grant term? We just spin them down. So it ended. So we have approval from the Indiana
Department of Health to continue using these funds as needed for department activities. Is that permission
anyway? Time limit? My concern is if you if we move a vacant position into a grant,
are we at risk losing the grant funding? Because as long as it's vacant, we're not spending the funds.
So is the permission to use the funds in any way time limited? No. Any other questions or comments from
council for Miss Kelly?
Seeing none, we'll move to public comment. If there's public comment, you can come here in the room,
or comment here in the room, or you can raise your hand via Teams. Seeing none, may we please have a
roll call vote? Councilor Wilts? Yes. Councilor Henry? Yes. Councilor Decker? Yes. Councilor Crossley?
Yes. Councilor Hawke? Yes. Councilor Feidl?
Councillor Iverson. Yes. Motion passes unanimous. All right. Next up is item U. Council, I'll be combining
items U and V into one motion. I move to approve the health department's request and fund 1161-9625,
local public health services, a deappropriation of $54,367.40 in the personnel category and
In fund 1161-9626, local public health services, a deappropriation of $19,727.60 in the personnel category.
Second. All right. We got a motion and a second. Ms. Kelly. I think this is basically just for housekeeping.
So since we're moving the position to the 8111, this is just deappropriating where it's currently
appropriated now.
Any questions or comments for Ms. Kelly? None? We'll have a comment. If there's public comment, raise
your hand via Teams or come here in the NETU Hill Room. Seeing none, may we please have a roll call
vote? Councilor Deckard? Yes.
Councillor Crossley? Yes. Councillor Iverson? Yes. Councillor Feidl? Yes. Councillor Wilz? Yes. Councillor
Henry? Yes. Motion passes unanimous 6-0. Thank you. Thank you very much. All right. Next up we are getting
down to the end of the alphabet. So we are going to item W from the legal department.
Council, I move to approve resolution 2026-23A, a tax abatement request for Cientia LLC. Second.
All right. We got a motion and a second. We are joined here by Mr. Cockrell. Welcome.
Yes, and I thank you, Clark Leiner with the Bloomington Economic Development Commission and Mr. McDaniel,
who is a principal at the business. This is step one in a process. If approved tonight, we will notice
your July 14th meeting for a public hearing. That is needed to declare an economic revitalization area
and proceed with the tax abatement. I will note that
I think in the packet it has both a real property and a personal property tax abatement. I think, as
you probably heard earlier today, there's a higher limit. And we went ahead and we had done that check
to see if it would qualify. And we believe that all their personal property is under $2 million. So
they would not have any personal property taxes on the equipment. So really, we're just asking for a
real estate tax abatement.
At this point, I think the total value of the tax abatement over 10 years for the real estate portion
is about $82,000, so you're looking at an average of $8,000 a year in abated taxes. They are planning
on hiring 30 people, and those 30 people will make a, I think it's $2.2 million, so just over $70,000
a person per employee
for the higher. Really there's a minimum amount of actual real estate investment, which is why that
annual amount is low and just as a, I think also as described earlier today, we're really leaning more
on income tax as funding things as opposed to real estate taxes. So we're kind of shifting and this
is kind of something that we're gonna highlight as we,
as we move forward. This did go to the Economic Development Commission on June 9th. They recommended
approval of this tax abatement moving forward. And so with that, I will turn it over to the, unless
you have questions for me, I will turn it over to the business. Hi, I am Doug McDaniel. I am the president
and managing member of Scantia LLC and also the managing member of Interchange Investments LLC that
is the owner of the property.
And I really appreciate your consideration of our request tonight for this ERA. And I also admire your
stamina. So thank you very much. We hire a lot of really highly educated, high tech folks here in Monroe
County. We do software engineering, systems integration, cyber security, and we're focused on counter
UAS and AI and computer vision integration into force protection systems for the Department of Defense.
We work a lot with NSWC crane. In fact, a handful of our employees are former, including myself, former
crane employees. So we're very honored and privileged to be able to do things that help keep our war
fighters safer. I know Congress
Councillor Fiddle has heard some of this before, so I apologize for repeating what I said, but we do
a lot of sensor integration to help our war fighters have a better situational awareness when they're
in harm's way. I'd like to share something with you real quickly that is a recent
memorandum that was for the Chief Technology Officer to the Chief of Staff of the Army, Dr. Rex Miller,
and this was on 3 June of this year. It says, in part, Schiantia LLC participated with the Integrated
Sensor Architecture System, integrating the ISA API
V1.1 into the operation jailbreak validation environment. During the event, Scantia LLC demonstrated
validated documentation, heartbeat connectivity, data streaming, and asset control through a representational
State transfer-based interface informed by protocol buffer schemas. ISA met the intent of operation
jailbreak. That is just an example of what we do. Basically, that is so that
The Army will be able to integrate sensors from disparate vendors and not have to worry about their
proprietary interfaces. It's as if you were jailbreaking your phone to use a different carrier. We're
not helping anybody get out of jail, actually. We currently have 39 employees. Our average salary is
just a little north of $105,000 a year.
But 90% of our employees are in Indiana, 74% of those are here in Monroe County. The average longevity
of our folks is right at five and a half years. And we've got quite a few young folks as well. We started
the company in 2010. 33% of our employees have graduate degrees and we have three PhDs on staff.
One of the things that we have to do is try to keep our rates low because, as one of our government
customers told me one time, you know the government wants to hire Albert Einstein but wants to pay him
like a fast food worker. So it's very competitive for us, but we're fairly unique because there aren't
a lot of high tech companies providing these kinds of services to crane and to the government in this area.
But in addition to the salaries that we pay, competitive salaries that we pay, we also pay 90% of the
health insurance premiums for our employees. We do a Safe Harbor 401K plan with a 4.5% matching, company
matching. We do profit sharing when we can, and we've done that for the last several years. And then
last year, it was a little over 9% of the W-2.
wages for our employees. I hope we can continue doing that as well. We do annual Christmas bonuses.
We provide short-term and long-term disability insurance that this company paid for. We do 11 paid federal
holidays, continuing education reimbursement, and seven of our employees are members of the LLC. So
we're trying to hire and retain the best and brightest here, and we've worked some with
IU, the school, some of our cybersecurity folks obviously coming from there. We've worked some with
that P school up north. About a half of our employees are actually from Rose-Holman, as you might have
noticed. Thank you again for considering our request. Are there any questions you have of me that I
might answer?
Yes, Councilor Iverson. I don't have any questions. I just have two points. Number one, I apologize
for mispronouncing the name of your company. That's perfectly fine. I'll tell you real quickly. The
story is we wanted to name nobody could pronounce. Nobody knew what it was, what it meant. Nobody could
spell and it proved none of us took marketing in school. So I think we hit a home run. I think it sounds
like you're doing just fine. And I'm
The things I really like about these tax abatements is the growth that these abatements allow you to
have in terms of employees. And one of the things that a lot of us are really concerned about is making
sure that other people know what a great place this is to live and what a great place it is to work.
So we appreciate you joining us in our endeavor. Absolutely. Thank you so much. The construction costs
are more than I expected.
but we are doubling the size, our capacity, and we've run out of space where we are now, so. I believe
it. That's exactly why we're wanting to do this. Yes, Councilor Feidl. So I appreciate being in the
first meeting, and I am appreciative of all the things you've related here, but I don't remember ever
hearing what your average seniority is of the workers you have. Do you know, like, the long-term service
of people that have worked with you?
As I said, the average for the folks that are currently in our company is five and a half years. Oh,
five. I'm sorry. I missed that. No, no, no. That's fine. But we have probably five who have been with
us at least 10 years. Two of us, of course, are original co-founders. So we have been there for 16,
coming on 16 years now. I am super impressed with the health insurance portion that you pay for them.
That is really good.
We have to, I mean, it's a competitive market for the talent. And one of the, I've read in the past
that typically with high tech, especially software engineering type companies, that the average longevity
is closer to two years. And so we really want to hire folks, bring them up and teach them because working
for the government is different in a lot of respects. Supporting the systems that we support takes a lot of
corporate knowledge, if you will, and a lot of experience. And so we really only hire people that we
want to keep for as long as they want to stay with us, and we want that to be a long time. Excellent.
Chancellor Henry. Thank you. And Mr. Cockerill, I just had a question. So just so I'm clear on our process
tonight, our vote tonight is to move it forward to public notice, and we're going to talk about this
again. Correct.
I would just preface by saying I'll be abstaining from this vote tonight. I just want to make sure that
any conflict of interest I may have is understood before proceeding with my vote. So that's just explaining
my abstention as to why I'm abstaining. It gives me a side eye in a minute. So there you go. Thanks.
Thank you. No side eyes from here. Okay. Councillor Wilks. Yeah. I'm not in your field. And so my question
comes from that perspective.
Are there any environmental regulations that apply to your business and your productions that we would
be interested in? No, we do almost exclusively software engineering and cyber security stuff. So we
have a lab, but it's all computers, servers. We have some of the sensors.
that we integrate in our facility, but there's no environmental concerns whatsoever. You do use AI though,
right? Pardon? You do use AI? Did I hear you say that?
other vendors' algorithms to do what they call computer vision. So a big part of what we do is video,
as you might imagine, with persistent surveillance. So what we're trying to do is get the computers
to actually see and let the operators know when they need to pay attention to something instead of just
giving us the data. And that's a field that will continue to evolve and grow for, I think,
as far as we can tell. Thank you, I appreciate it. Appreciate it. Thank you. Any other questions? Yes,
Councilor Decker. And this expansion's out on Bernal, we're near Bernal, right? Yeah, we're just a little
bit south of Bernal Pike on Loesch Road, which is the first road back towards Bloomington from where
the new Y is, up there. One thing is, just as a comment, that area is
really ideal for these things and a lot of foresight and thought went into that when people were saying
that's out in the woods there but now we we see these things kind of coming together it's like there
you go there you had a plan and the west side is doing this it was nice to to see that i'm excited to
see this move forward thank you councillor dekert we really enjoy being because we're
Kind of out in the woods, but we're only, you know, a couple of minutes from from third and and curry
and and restaurants and nice places to eat and all that. So, yeah, we're we're very, very happy to be
there. We hope to stay there as long as I'm around anyway. At least overall, that is just a real good
narrative that we need to hear in this county that those things on the west side, sometimes they get
out of sight, out of mind, and they shouldn't be.
Yes, Councilor Hawk is back. Hello. I'm from the West Side. We love you over there. So hope that you
stay there and continue to create jobs and prosperity for the people. Thank you very much, Councilor
Hawk. We certainly intend to do that to the best of our ability. All right. Seeing no other further
questions or comments.
for these gentlemen. We'll move on to public comment. If there's public comment, you can come forward
to the lectern here in the room or raise your hand via Teams. And seeing none, may we please have a
roll call vote? Councilor Feidl? Yes. Councilor Wilts? Yes. Councilor Deckard? Yes. Councilor Hawk?
Yes. Councilor Henry? Sorry.
Councilor Iverson? Yes. Councilor Crossley? Yes. Motion passes 7-0. There's a reason I don't do this
bit. Nope, sorry. 6-0-1, abstention. Thank you very much. Next up is item six. Council, I move to approve
resolution 2026-22, the 2025 tax abatement compliance findings. Second. All right.
side I miss Turner King because you're out next just kidding well since mr. Cockrell is still here I'm
going to let him talk about the compliance reports that's great I'll just tell you the you have in the
packet all the compliance forms those compliance forms represent just under 1900 employees and just
on just just under 117 million dollars in wages and
all those abatements that we're looking at today have been issued during the COVID era and later, right?
So everything's 2020 and beyond. I will also say that those numbers also don't include, I think anything
with the GE site, which as you know, last year we approved a big abatement and it was last fall and
clearly they had not had enough time to get something done by the end of the year. So more exciting
things to come.
I will say that we had a meeting with the Economic Development Commission. The Economic Development
Commission made a recommendation, and it's really two parts. One is for Proveli LLC, Phoenix, and Lazarus.
Phoenix and Lazarus, one's the personal property, one's the real property, much like the presentation
earlier tonight. That's just how some accounting systems work. GLC Bloomington, LLC.
Baxter now Simtra, they recommended approval and that they met their statement of benefits. And I will
say that with one caveat. Provelli, two or three years ago, indicated they were having trouble finding
people who would work for them and
getting that workflow. So they made a conscious decision, and we discussed it at that time, to kind
of have a little bit more investment in the equipment, but pay their operators more. So even though
their employment count is lower than expected, the wages they are paying is higher than they expected
to pay at that higher number of headcounts. So people are making more. They are just having
a few less people working there. So for instance, they were supposed to have 78, they're at 62, but
those 78 employees were supposed to make 2.8 million and the 62 are making 3.1 million. So that was
an offset and we discussed that with the EDC and I think a little bit with the County Council a couple
years ago. But they also recommended that
while not in compliance, that you guys go ahead and approve Oliver wineries because it is due to factors
beyond their control. And we had a very long discussion with the people at Oliver Winery. The market
there at their end has suffered in the last few years, but they are gaining ground and they are seeing
their market share grow. And the one thing I remember is that there are
Mr. President, Schultz of the Economic Development Commission indicated that there are some products
we just can't offer in Indiana that other places can. I think THC infused booze and things like that,
which Indiana just can't do, but they're gaining market share. And so the EDC heard enough information
from them that they still recommend that you approve that abatement because they think that they are
in good shape to progress and meet those goals in the next few years.
Thank you very much for that. Any questions or comments from council? Yes, Councilor Decker. I just,
I can't control my microphone, let alone my mouth. I just want to say, well, Mr. Grinders here, and
the stamina by which he is here this evening on his end, we, the BEDC had a tremendous
state of the economy, Bloomington economy, am I saying that right? Yeah, state of the regional Bloomington
economy. Regional Bloomington economy. And it was tremendous. And it was awesome. The folks that came
in, some of us got to go to this and to listen in. And we hear the wisdom of researchers. We hear the
wisdom of regional influences and job makers and clearly, clearly friends, job making of every diverse kind.
is the order of the day for the community. And I know I often beat this path a few times, but the communities
had times in our history where jobs were going the other way. And that is a creepy proposition we don't
want to have happen. And so all that's to say is that when I look at these things and how we do it and
how we balance and where we're bringing in this, this or other supporting folks,
It's always towards that goal, for at least me, that you're doing everything you can to check that box,
that you have done things to diversify our job. So I just appreciate that. And I think it's important
that we kind of keep that focus as we continue on this route. Thank you for your kind words. Anybody
else have any questions or comments?
Seeing none, we will move on to public comment. If there is public comment on this item, raise your
hand via Teams or you can come forward here in the room if you're still here. And seeing no one wanting
to come here in the room or raising your hand even though they think, and raising your hand in Teams
land, maybe please have a roll call.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Council, I move to approve resolution 2026-25, creation of the Collaborative Jail Project Subcommittee.
Second. All right. I'm looking at Ms. Turner-King again. So I'm going to share my screen. What I drafted
was a resolution to, in essence, codify
what came out of the June 11th meeting with County Council and City Council. So you are, we are requesting
that you ratify. Oh, I'm sure no one can see that. Okay, we're asking, I'm asking or requesting council
consider to ratify the actions that were taken. And so the whereas clauses just summarize that
On May 26th, the council rejected the North Park purchase agreement. On June 11th, there was a joint
meeting with Monroe County elected officials and city of Bloomington elected officials and that a working
group. I think we're now calling the collaborative justice project group, so I will have to change the names.
was formed. One indicates that the committee was created under Home Rule. Two identifies the membership,
which is a representative of the commissioners, the mayor, a county council member, a Bloomington-Calman
council member, a judge, sheriff, prosecutor, or designee, and the representative of the public defender's office.
Section three outlines the duties as stated on June 11th, which was to help facilitate the identification
of a possible location for construction of a new correctional center, justice center, and to identify
the procedural steps necessary with the idea that the committee would evaluate three to four properties
and recommend one back to the larger group that convened on the 11th. It indicates that we will strive
to meet weekly and as long as we have quorum.
And that the recommendation back to the larger committee will tentatively be honored before July 13th,
which is just a month before after the first meeting. And then it indicates that the committee is subject
to open door. I think that codifies what happened on the 11th. What I will say is that after the 11th,
I spoke to the city attorney, Larry Allen, and we're in agreement that
This committee can't be jointly owned by both entities. So in reviewing the meeting, what we think happened
is that the county council formed a committee and that the city motioned to participate on that committee.
So in speaking to Mr. Allen, I think we're in agreement that
You can ratify this as is and as indicated on June 11th, or if you wish to make changes to the composition
or any other, you can add clarifying duties, anything of that nature, you would have the ability to
do so tonight. I think one thing that was not discussed on the 11th, which might be beneficial is in
speaking with Mr. Allen, is if there was some indication of meeting procedures, do you want to limit
you know, the meetings to an hour. Do you want to allow public comment? Things of that nature? Um, because
I think any guidance would be appreciated by the committee. I think, um, I appreciate that. Um, and
given the circumstances from last week, uh, we had members of city council, county council members from
a participant from the public defender's office, Mr. Hunt, and then Ms. Wilson from the prosecutor's
office. And I do believe that there were members of the public that were there as well. And it's a shame
that, you know, people took some time out of their day trying to do things in good faith and didn't
have quorum for, you know, folks letting us know at the last minute that they wouldn't be participating.
Um, so that in itself was a little frustrating. Um, but I think in order for this group to do what we
need to do or do what they need to do to bring back to the larger body, I would propose and listening
to council colleagues, uh, to make a comment about that, to condense that number of people so that we
don't have quorum and not saying that people can't participate. I'm not saying that, you know, people
can't do that at all.
making some of those members that are participant ex-officios so that that doesn't involve or that doesn't
hurt our quorum. So just making sure I say that so people don't go, oh, you're kicking me off, nope.
Just basically saying, you know, you can be an ex-officio. Obviously it makes sense for the Board of
Judges and the Sheriff's Office to not be on that list at all since they both have sent notices
explain in their different reasons why they are not participating. Yeah I even remember when we and
I appreciate the spirit by which the designees were created for this and
But I also appreciate how people have weighed in on what they want to do for their office, and that's
fine. Everybody does that. But I specifically remember saying in the creation of that resolution that
you couldn't have what sometimes happens in some bodies where you get kind of like a don't show veto,
and then it can't move. And I'm not saying that anybody had that, but I think that that kind of quorum
issue defied the spirit of it. So I almost would say,
in that resolution that for bodies that have opted out by their own public preference that it says next
to it. So board of judges ex officio by public publicly indicated preference. Just so we memorialize
this a little bit. And if it and we could even add a line there until that would publicly change.
And I think, and I know that I'm probably speaking in language that's not helpful, but I'm trying to
think about problem solving tonight, because again, I come down to what do we gotta do to make it easier
on Councilor Feidl and those others sitting there so that they come back with the healthiest, most stamina,
not hair pulling kind of thing so we can keep moving here.
Councillor Iverson and then I'll go back this way two points and as I'm looking at this is we have done
this before with the Justice Fiscal Advisory Commission and hearing particularly what Ms. Molly Turner
King said that it is the legal guidance from both the city of Bloomington and Monroe County that this
is a Monroe County topic this is owned by
organization and that other entities have pulled themselves out. It makes sense to me to have membership
look a lot like the Sophia Travis committee or the or the JFAC where you have three council members.
It's not a quorum. And so I think that that's a model that we've been using quite a bit that might make
sense in this situation. And then everyone else is invited.
We had something similar for JVAC. The last thing that I'll, the second recommendation that I'll make
is for JVAC, we had a sunset clause that said we are no longer gonna meet at this date. And I think
that one of the fears with another committee is that this is going to be a never ending debate society,
that this is gonna go on and on and on and on. And I think if we allow for a sunset clause,
and we can make the date whatever we want, that would give reassurance that we're date-oriented, that
we're not going to let this go on for years and years and years and years, because that's what happened
with JREC. Well, and to that point, though, we did say at the 11th meeting, and I know you weren't here,
that we wanted them to come back within the next month.
They have a deadline for their assignments. So we definitely have that because I think there was a deadline
of three months and we were like, no, absolutely not. We can't do that. Perfect. Great. I see you have
a hand Councilor Hawke, but I'm going to go down to I think Councilor Wilton, then I'll pop back around
to Councilor Hawke next. Okay. I remember when we formed the committee and like literally that evening,
I'm like, oh man, we should not have put
that many people who might not come. What is the, what's the minimum number for a committee like this?
Like could we make it, could we make everybody ex officio and then like just have this council and the
other council each send somebody and ask for participation and consensus? I don't think there's
an actual like minimum but I mean if you make it a two-person committee and one person can come then
you're gonna have quorum issues so I mean I think if you go too small you could possibly have quorum
issues and if you go too big you potentially have quorum issues. Okay so what about it needs to be does
it need to be an odd number in that case?
refer an odd number because then there won't be a tie vote. But I mean, ultimately, I mean, it's my
recommendation is you at least have the commissioner of the mayor and each member of the council. So
there's a minimum of four there. I think that makes sense. And I will say if if we've already confirmed
of those for a quorum for a meeting tomorrow. Excellent.
The number should be odd in the event of a vote. I'm so over votes. I swear. I mean, the purpose of
this was consensus and recommendation and information. And if there's, I mean, they're going to come
back in and buy a date and tell us what they came up with. I don't know. I'm going to go Councilor Hawke
and then I'll circle back to Councilor Decker. Yes. In watching this meeting, I saw that the motion was
that the location they were to be considering was in the city and the city limits and I don't see that
in this document. I think it should be because that was a part of the motion. I mean that if we're gonna
go by what the motion. I if you got two tires that are leaking on a car you got a patch two tires or
replace it to me the issue
on this committee, it's a quorum issue. It didn't even get a chance to begin its debate, and I'm sure
all the people on there had lots of things they wanted to contribute. I want to point out that when
the bell struck, the ones that were there were neatly up at the desk, had their notes ready to go, and
they were ready to do it, but they never got to have that meeting. So we have a quorum problem. I'm
worried that in this discussion,
we're getting into lots of different hypotheticals to start fixing other problems and we're going to
get a monster resolution. To me, I stand by my original motion. I'm prepared to offer it in a second
on we have two public bodies who have indicated that they for now are opting out of this. We have a
third that's not made a decision. I want them to make a positive on that. But I think for now, I think
we've got the two,
We remove that from quorum with language that indicates their ex officio until they would make some
other declaration and then get them back to the table. But they're always welcome to come to that table.
But I just think we need to do that. So Liz and others can have a productive discussion. And I think
we need to be careful to overly instruct their discussion because then it starts turning into other
things. And I think if things are naturally how they're going, they're going to start
doing the things that have been before the public and in that debate. Am I making any sense? I don't
know what your recommendation is for who counts for quorum. Can we pull that resolution up? I'm going
to probably have to walk over to the screen. I've been editing it based on comments. Oh, you have? Maybe
show it and I'll tell you if it's right. Can I get up and walk over?
Phil Donahue used to do this. Sorry. We really have to say because the motion said in the city and we
don't do that. You've got nothing in the city, Molly and city mom.
I think Jerry Springer is the better reference. Okay. What I've been adding based on the conversation
is I changed the membership to indicate the four.
the mayor, county council member, and a common council member, and then representatives of the following
departments are invited to serve on this working subcommittee as ex officio members, and then it says
the sheriff, the judges, the prosecutor's office, and the public defenders. So I, on my motion, I want
this to be a little bit different. I just want it to be sheriff and judges as ex officio. The other
two, prosecutors, public defenders, they go right back up to that. The representative appointed members,
they were there, they were doing the
people's work. And then I'll let you do that. And then I'm sorry, are you making a motion? I'm going
to once this is all right. And then down here. Previously, we had the Monroe County prosecutor and or
her designee, which we
aware that that Miss Wilson is going to be the destiny and then down here we're sorry sorry you're fine
I'm complicated and then down here under be after judges and
I just think we need to solidify what they've said. And I would put a comma judges comma. Is based on.
and does not limit their participation. I would move that language into that resolution.
So the sentence reads, the designation is that ex-official members is based on communication from the
identified entities and does not limit their future participation on the working subcommittee should
they elect to do so. Beautiful. Absolutely. So moved. So moved. What about the city? And then to Councilor
Hawke's point, I changed, shall evaluate three to four properties and I add it within city limits.
I changed the name because we had been calling it the Collaborative Justice Project, but when I drafted
this resolution, I had called it the Joint Jail Project, and so we've changed the name. There are so
many puns, and then I was just like, no. What is the name of it now? The Collaborative Justice Project
Working Subcommittee. That's what was on the notice.
make sure because tomorrow they have their meeting what we are doing tonight do we have a if this meeting
were to recess and then they go into their meeting just now like this would if we vote on this and it's
it's approved
We're not screwing people over for a quorum tomorrow. What will happen is the notice has already been
published for tomorrow's meeting. At the beginning of the meeting, I'll acknowledge that the composition
has changed and that any future notice will reflect the new composition of the committee, but it does
not impact tomorrow's. Okay. Okay. Council Hall. It was rather difficult trying to follow this online,
but my question at the time was,
This committee is to do one thing only, and that is to weigh in on where they think the location is
to be. Not what's going to go on in the jail or whatever other services or anything. It is just the
location. That's it. Otherwise, you're going to be stretching it out for the next three years. We can
consider all kinds of things.
location, location, location.
to Councilor Hawks point, I changed that sentence to say the collaborative justice project
working subcommittee shall evaluate three to four properties within city limits and recommend one location
to the larger group of elected officials. The collaborative justice project working subcommittees focus
shall be on location only at this time. Location of the jail. That assumed? Yes. Location of the jail.
I'm gonna say
of the correctional center slash, really just the jail. Here's, I said correctional center slash justice
center. Not that I think it's this body's decision on whether to build a justice center, what is being
built. But in part that goes into the location is how many acres do you need
depending on what you build. So I don't want to limit it to, or I wouldn't recommend limiting it to
just a correctional center because if the justice center is built in phases, that is going to have to
be considered when a location is identified. I would just say jail, but. The only thing I'm concerned
about. We'll put in here whatever you wish.
They know exactly what they need to do by way of this. So if nobody else has any other excuse me, it
was my voice. Other things to worry or to add to what Mr. King and what's a counselor decade and others
have suggested I'm looking for a motion. And for clarity, you do not you're electing to not add meeting
procedures, correct?
one procedure that I think comes to mind, and I think we did this with maybe pack. It would be helpful
to indicate that the committee should elect a chair and then that chair would be responsible for an
agenda, because right now I'm not sure who is creating the agenda or or how to proceed. I created the
agenda for the next meeting.
I do not want to do that. So I think you can do the chair and then honestly since it's a committee that
we are doing because councillor Feidl is the person I'm just looking at her go and tag your eight. So
what you're saying then is that the county council representative will be the chair of the meeting.
I mean, I think it makes it simple and clean. If we're already saying that, you know, both city and
county attorneys have talked and said, this is kind of really something that is our responsibility,
then I think we just designate it to her. And then of course, Councilor Feidl would be able to work
with staff going forward to do the agenda. Yep. So now we know who the agenda person would be. How did
we leave her?
And that's kind of what we're saying now is this is something that we are owning word allowing everybody
to be a you know folks to be a part of it but I think it sounds like that is something that can do or
we just say that you I'm fine with doing it as long as I think the committee goes
I was just going to add to that. I think it's important that we support those members, particularly trust
counselor final in doing what she needs to do what she's done her entire career which is negotiate with
lots of different parties and try to figure out how you get to goal and I think we trust her in that
process with lots of latitude to get towards the goal that was a kind of an amazing discussion that
we had a couple weeks to do two weeks back and I think the spirit of that will come out in this highlighted the
added language. So now C has been added that says the county council member shall serve as the chair
of the working subcommittee and be responsible for creation of the agenda. So yeah. I think we already
have two motions on the table that accomplish what we need to do. We vote on two or just vote on one.
Can we combine them? I accept. I'll second Councillor Deckard's motion.
We have a motion and a, oh, did I see Ms. Turner-King's hand? Yeah, I think there's confusion about
what the motion is. So perhaps it would be best to withdraw the motions and then make a motion to accept
the resolution as amended. Perfect. Go for it. Perfect. I'm gonna withdraw the previous motion. Council,
I recommend that we adopt the resolution as amended before us on the screen available to the public.
Second. All right. We got a motion and a second to adopt the changes to the resolution as identified
on the screen here. Is there any final questions or comments from council on this item? All right. Seeing
none, we will move on to public comment. If there is public comment on this item, you could come forward
to the lectern here in the room.
You'll have up to three minutes or you can raise your hand via Teams. Okay. Seeing none, we will move
to a roll call vote. Who seconded the- Thank you. Councilor Iverson. Iverson. Ugly when I'm angry. Okay.
For the record, Councilor Hock left the meeting.
Councillor Wilts. Yes. Councillor Henry. Yes. Councillor Deckard. Yes. Councillor Crossley. Yes. Councillor
Iverson. Yes. Councillor Fiddle. Yes. Motion passes unanimous 6-0. Okay. One more, actually two more.
Two more. Item Z.
Council I move to approve resolution twenty twenty six dash twenty six amendments to the Sophia Travis
Community Services grant agreement template. All right we got a motion and a second. Ms. Turner King.
So I'm not going to display the resolution instead I'm going to display the template. What I will say
is the Sophia Sophia Travis grant committee did meet
on a date that escapes my memory, but they were there. And we went over the changes proposed to the
template agreement. And so if the council approves this, I will execute all the agreements for the agencies
and have them on the agenda for the commissioners to approve on July 2nd. So I don't think we, well,
I haven't, I don't know about in the past,
I don't know that you've seen the template agreement of the contract. Ms. Turner-King, I believe we
met on the 17th of June. Thank you. So on the 17th of June, the committee went over these changes. And
so the big changes are
There's an indication that agencies must spend all of the funds by the end of 2026 to be eligible for
next year's grant cycle. We amended what an agency could request a modification for. In the past, an
agency could say, I would like to request a modification to either do a different project or I need
more time. So now we've limited to you can only request more time.
And we've outlined the process for which you can request more time. So an agency would have to request
more time by February 1st. They would be granted an extension so that they would have to expend the
funds no later than May 31st. And then it outlines that that request will just be forwarded
to the commissioners because it's a pre-established date of May 31st.
We changed the report requirement so that, so in the past there wasn't really a reporting structure
required. Agencies just had to give a report with receipts, and so this year we're asking agencies to
submit a PDF format not to exceed, or a report in a PDF format not to exceed 500 words, and the report
should give a brief background of the grant, the general description of the project, and more importantly,
like, what happened?
The committee gives out these funds, and we don't really get to hear about the success of the projects
until the kickoff of next year if the agency replies again. So this kind of gives the committee and
the council some results data. We've added language that agencies will have to retain records, and this
is really in case there's an audit or something of that nature.
We've added language that says agencies must sign their agreement by October 30th of 2026. This is to
eliminate the Miss Shell and myself constantly bugging agencies to come in and sign their agreement
so that we don't carry funds over until the next year and have to appropriate and do all of that. So
it says if you don't sign your agreement by October 30th, you will forfeit your funds.
We added suspension and debarment language, which is required. And I think those are the major changes.
So this is the agreement that the committee approved for use. And then the resolution says, this is
the agreement that will be used for this year and forevermore until you tell me to change it. Any questions?
Yes, Councilor Wilts.
I have a question that seems ridiculous, but I need to know. Why is it required that they submit a PDF?
Is there a reason that it has to be a PDF? It is easier for us to be able to share that information,
because especially with the committee members and that kind of thing, or with the public, a PDF
is shareable, whereas if it's like in Word or somebody uses Notebook or something like that, not everybody
is compatible with that. PDF is compatible across all, is my understanding. It's also very difficult
to get into an accessible format. And starting next April, that will be a requirement. Be careful.
We haven't forget about accessibility because it was supposed to happen this year and got switched.
I have nightmares about all of this right now. Okay. Any other further questions, comments on this item?
Appreciate the work. Has everybody already done PDFs in the past? So we've not had any issues with that. Okay.
We have had some people that couldn't submit stuff, so they bring it in and then we scan it. So if they
can't do a PDF, we have them either bring it in physically, we scan it, or they mail it in to us and
then we scan it in. And if we do that, like thinking about accessibility, things that I do in my other
place, is that
when we do things like that, we are accepting an inaccessible document. And that goes into a lot of
issues with that, which again, I would hope that we would have some kind of guidance from TSD going
forward with this, hopefully. I don't know that. Yeah. We can talk. Let's have a little talk. Yeah.
Okay. All right.
Seeing no other further questions, comments or concerns from council, I'll look to public comment. If
there's public comment on this item, you can come forward to the electing here in the room or raise
your hand via Teams. Seeing none, may we please have a roll call vote? Councillor Wilts? Yes. Councillor
Henry? Yes. Councillor Decker? Yes. Councillor Crossley? Yes. Councillor Iverson? Yes.
Yes. Motion passes unanimous six zero. All right. Next up is so if I can procedurally what will happen
is I will prepare all these documents and have them ready for agencies to come in and sign on Friday.
Oh, OK. All right. Yay. OK. All right. Thank you for that update, Mr. McCain. OK. Next up is item eight eight.
Thank you, Council. I moved to approve the Council Office's request and fund 1000-0061 County General
Counsel for an additional appropriation of $47,123 in the services category. Second. We got a motion
and a second, Michelle. Yes, this is an additional appropriation for our Sophia Travis grant line.
As Molly explained earlier, we had some agencies wait and wait and wait to sign their agreements at
the end of the year. And so some of that bled over into 2026. So we couldn't do checks until 2026. And
so those amounts came out of our current fund. We also had to do an in-house transfer
to a bill that was being submitted. And so this amount, 47,123, brings the Sophia Travis grant line
back up to the 190. A $190,000. Okay. Questions or comments from Council on this item?
to public comment, raise your hand via Teams or you can make comment here in the room. Seeing none,
maybe please have a roll call vote. Councilor Henry? Yes. Councilor Deckard? Yes. Councilor Crossley?
Yes. Councilor Iverson? Yes. Councilor Feidl? Yes. Councilor Wills? Yes. Motion passes unanimous.
All right, thank you for that. Last and not certainly least,
as council liaison updates and comments ask that we keep this brief since this has been a really long
meeting. Um, so I'm going to look down to my left and see if we have any comments or updates from council.
I think the only thing that's on my list that we really haven't touched on in any capacity tonight is
the, excuse me, the direct to housing event that occurred in this community for two days on June 8th
and 9th. I was just so impressed with the Clutch Consulting Group that came and did that. I'm very interested
and I'm asked for more information about what they use to be successful in those 20 communities that
they talked about. They focused on
I think, let's see, I remember for sure that both days of that event, but I am just so excited to think
that we could have a four-part plan that they talked about and capitalize on some of the successes where
they've had 60% reduction in homelessness. So excited about that. Yes, of course. Thank you.
I also appreciated that very much, and in the last couple weeks have been in some follow-up conversations
from that, trying to figure out solutions. Again, a lot like what we were talking about with our gel
subcommittee, that is a collaboration between a lot of different folks going there. As we enter pair
season, as we enter the fourth, which is a beautiful time in this,
It seems like it's going to be a hot time all of a sudden. I do want to say that my own hearts, my own
heart and thoughts go out to all the folks that have been affected by the storm and just uncertainty
with all that. And just thanks to all our highway workers, our first responders, all the folks that
make all that sensible when it's not sensible. And again, I know there'll be more to figure out from that.
of big things. Thank you. I'll just add to Councillor Decker's comments that I did go to Steinsville
to visit the Red Cross last weekend on the tornado that occurred in the northern part of the county,
the third that hit that corner of the county in five years.
Again, Red Cross, United Way, our co-ads feed people. About 25 folks eating pizzas donated from Domino's
in Ellitsville. And the call out for things like rakes and shovels and totes, like the plastic tubs
to hold people's belongings is still there. And that will be there for weeks. The stuff goes on for
weeks and months on end. So for folks that want to get involved, just contact our EMA or the United
Way on how to participate with that. It's really important.
It just seems to be our new normal. We seem to have, it's about 18 months and three tornadoes now at
this point, which is remarkable and I think our new normal. The only other thing I had to share with
folks is that while I was on my way back from Steinsville, it dawned on me that the Indiana Limestone
Symposium was going on. I stopped by there. It was their 30th anniversary of people carving chunks of our
County into things. And Steve, who did the work on repairing the piece, Memorial on the Square was the
field director there, and Steve Turney, right? And it was neat. It was neat to see that. So that's it.
Did they tell you what the frog is going to be? It's going to be a tombstone. Yeah. Yeah, for a family.
That was really cool. Yeah. There's a giant toad that was being carved, among other things. But yeah,
that was cool. Anyway, that's it. Interesting. OK.
Yeah, again, much kudos to staff that has helped with all of the cleanup and June's not over and usually
every year we get a really big June storm, knock on wood, hopefully it doesn't happen. But yeah, so
that being said, I thank everybody for that, thank staff for their due diligence. Oh, and one last thing is
Just major thank you to the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department for putting
on the annual Juneteenth celebration. What a beautiful day it was and I think I saw lots of people here,
there in a different capacity but nonetheless that's actually something that I look forward to celebrating
because our history is American history. So with that being said, thank you all so much for
robust conversation tonight and we are adjourned. Thank you.