We'll uh go ahead and get started uh with the 2027
Zansville budget workshop. Mr. Mayor, floor is yours.
» Good morning. Thank you. >> Morning.
» Uh good to see everybody here this morning to talk through this. Um you
have all received a copy of the 2027 proposed budget which breaks down
spending by category and each town department. Um and so everyone who may
be watching online is aware of the process so far. Uh the administration
generated this budget with department heads and our financial consultants at
CRO. Then we took a deep dive into each department's spending plan which
included a liazison from the council and I want to thank those of you on the
council who helped in this process. It was very uh productive and very
meaningful. So thank you very much for that. Um, this is not the final document
that we're going to be presenting today, but the process will help us stay on
track to complete and file the 2027 budget by the state imposed deadline of
November 1st. So, the goal here is three-fold. U, what we're going to
propose is a planned temporary deficit funded by reserves that we built for
exactly this purpose. targeted hires to catch up after two years of a hiring
freeze and a path back to positive cash flow by 2030. So, let's begin with the
big picture. Uh, we are on track to end 2026 with a reserve of about $40.4
million, which would put our surplus at about 85%.
For 2026 alone, we anticipate a surplus of about $3.2 $2 million dollars, but
that is largely due to incumbrances that were forwarded to next year and our
supplemental lit payment coming in higher than anticipated. And I want to
point out and and state very clearly that neither of those conditions will
exist in 2027. Therefore, uh the proposed budget that
we have for you for 2027, we anticipate total expenses of about $52.6 million
against revenue of $51 million. So this budget uses about 1.65 million in
reserves again purposely and temporarily to get us through this year as we work
through the effects of sea 1, the 2025 state property tax law that limits our
revenue growth. So at the end of 2027 um our reserves will fall to about 38.7
million lowering our percentage from 85% to 74%.
And I want to point out that that is still very comfortably above our minimum
surplus goal of 15 to 20%. Now therefore, um I I know a lot of you and
I myself would not favor using reserve funds for operating expenses because I
think long term that is unsustainable to do that. However, uh we do have a 5-year
plan in place that shows that we can spend this money now to sustain our
operations and level of service that's expected by our constituents. Once all
current aspects of SEA1 are in place, we should be able to achieve positive cash
flow once again by 2030. Now, to get into the details here, uh I want to
start with employee pay. Now, due to the way the calendar falls in 2027, all of
our employees will get 27 paychecks this year instead of 26. So, if we keep
everyone at the same rate, they will realize an increase in salary for the
year of 3.85%. This is not only a base salary increase
for 2027, it will be the new base that we can build upon in 2028. And if
council agrees to this pay hike, we plan to reach out through our HR department
to all employees to explain in small group settings how this will be carried
out. But again, the proposal is for an effective pay increase of 3.85%
for all employees across the board. In addition, we propose to increase our
longevity pay for all employees who qualify at every level. And notably
[clears throat] what this does is this raises the certified salary for our
public service employees, public safety employees, excuse me, which forms the
basis for their retirement pay through Indiana's public employee retirement
fund. We should also note the state has increased the employer contribution uh
of PEF [gasps] to 26.5%. That's an increase of 3% and
the town will absorb that. We have had a soft hiring freeze in place since the
beginning of 2025 after the legislature passed SEA1. And this budget proposal
calls for adding several members to the staff to support our current employees
who I think have done a great job providing services to the town while
being a bit short-handed over the last couple of years. So here is the proposed
new hiring that we have. Uh it starts with public safety and that would
include six firefighters also one IT professional who will devote
the vast majority of their time to serving police and fire IT needs. I
consider this to be a public safety hire as well. And as we get into the fire
department and police department budgets, we'll talk a little more about
that, but this person would be working under the IT department. Also, one
person for the Department of Public Works streets division to get us closer
to matching our employee count to a formula that includes population and
lane miles of road that we maintain. Also, a deputy director of planning and
building to help handle the increased volume of work that they have taken on
and the reducing reduced staff levels that they have uh experienced over the
last couple years. Now again, we're going to go into each department
individually and uh talk about their budget and personnel needs and plan to
do that by providing an overview of each and then then you can ask the pertinent
department heads questions uh that you may have. So I'm going to ask Chief Van
Gorder uh and the fire crew to head over to the uh desk over there as we begin
with the fire department. This is our biggest budget expense. Takes up about
41% of the overall budget. Now, I mentioned hiring six new firefighters in
2027, and I do understand uh that the department would like to have more,
especially with a new station opening up uh later this in 2027 in Western
Zansville. But these new positions are a first step, and they will cover both 27
and 28. We have had several conversations among myself, the chief,
and council members. and we plan to propose significant new firefighter
hires in 29 and 30 to move the department closer to its staffing goals.
There is also the possibility of getting more staff through a safer grant from
the federal government as we did in 2022. I have asked the fire department
to engage in that application process. So with that, um, let me turn up go
ahead here. You can see some of the basic numbers for the fire department on
your screen. I know you have more in-depth information in your packets,
but uh I'd like to direct you if you have any questions or any concerns, if
you'd like to share those with the chief um and um Jason and
um [clears throat] >> Aaron
» Aaron over there right now. >> So maybe maybe it'd be good just real
quick uh what format do you want here? Do you are we going to hand it over to
them to present to us or do you want us to review? We've already reviewed this
stuff. Do we ask questions now or afterwards? Yes.
» I think now's a good time to ask questions to the to the department
heads. >> Okay.
» So, >> yeah, we didn't have a formal
presentation. In addition, we're here to answer questions.
» That's great. >> Do you want me to go ahead and lead it
in? >> Yeah, go ahead.
» So, so as the budget leaison for the fire department, work closely with the
mayor and uh >> Chief Van Gorder and his deputy chiefs.
Thank you all for for your tireless work and thank you the mayor too. Um this
budget process was probably um this was a much easier process than than past
years. I will say that. Um I think that a considerable impact on um the the fire
department and the operations obviously is personnel. We continue to talk about
that at every safety board meeting. Um when we talk about personnel issues and
and staffing for the fire department. I think that these uh six additional
firefighters for this next year will ensure that we can keep uh stations um
291, 292, and 293 open. Um as well as adding to our firefighters next year uh
at the new station 295 eventually when it's completed. So um that that's the
the biggest the biggest hurdle in this whole process has been those six new new
firefighters. Um and then of course equipment and and ongoing things. So,
um, happy to turn it over. >> Yeah. The only thing else I would like
to add is again was really appreciate the mayor uh standing firm and helping
support public safety. Not only is this the six firefighters plan for 2027, but
the mayor has developed a four-year plan to address all of the fire department
staffing needs. with us. I'd like to thank uh our local 5195 union
representative, our district trustee uh Luke Miller for being here who's been
instrumental in reviewing this material. And I would say labor and management
stand here in support of this four-year plan to address the staffing needs in
the fire department. >> 23, right, in the four-year plan. Yeah,
it's about 18 to 23 total individuals, [clears throat]
» which will be a a considerable step in especially coming in 2029, 2030, right,
is when we believe we'll be able to make sub a lot of those those hires, which
eventually as as systems be continue to come online, this will probably work out
pretty well. >> Yeah. And the other important thing here
is that uh the fire department working with a safety board had been uh having
discussions and prepared a plan if we were not able to receive uh the minimum
of six individual new hires. And if we were not able to achieve the six that
would change our service delivery in the fact that fire station 293 in kind of
west central area that protects Stonegate and Royal Run, we would have
seen a reduction in staffing and services to the community there. Right
now there's an engine and ambulance. we would have to uh reduce one of those
crews uh and reassign them. This plan moving forward does not allow that to
happen and fire station 293 remain staffed as it is today.
This isn't this is as expected fair like because we knew when 295 was going to
come online that when we took over Perry Township um that this eventually was
going to happen. Yeah, we we had hoped for a little bit uh longer of a
transition plan with Perry regarding their dissolution. Uh but they had
indicated to us that they're in a much shorter timeline uh towards dissolving
and going away. So we needed to act a little sooner than what we had first
anticipated
» questions. Anyone [clears throat] >> are you able to quantify? Let's I know
zero is the low end, but let's assume that the grant comes through. How many
additional firefighters would that potentially be able to bring on?
» It depends what the application is. One of the the questions always becomes the
with a grain application is the town of Zansville becomes responsible to ensure
employment of those individuals. So it may on the the front end seem like oh
well let's put in for the balance of those individuals right away but then
we're also responsible to make sure that we gainfully employ them. If not we're
responsible to fund back those funds. So it's going to be really a bit of a
balancing act. Uh last time we did this, we put in for six individuals. I would
expect that number to be just a little bit north of additional six individuals
through a safer uh application. Again, we worked successfully with a third
party vendor uh to submit that grant and we have not begun that process. The
mayor has directed us to. Uh we're working on uh with a director of finance
and records and closing out our current grant application. And as soon as we get
that grant closed, then we'd be able to begin to prepare for the submission
process, which doesn't happen until mid 2027, mid next year. So the earliest we
would receive funds would be 28 or after.
» Okay. So then we could potentially have pressure on the budget in 28
[clears throat and cough] because we fund them, we get the grant, but then
the grant ends and then we have six new people that we have to fund.
» Right? That wouldn't be till three years later. So you start in 28, 29, 30, and
then that would become our burden in 31. >> Great.
» Hopefully by that time we've everything has starting to even out, right? And
then those six we can just build that in to existing budgets and then have that
in to perpetuity. Right. >> I didn't realize there was such a delay
in the helps. >> You get it for a couple years before
they yank that money from you. >> Yeah.
» And I would point out too, the last time we did the safer grant, there was no way
that we could have anticipated SEA1, right? you know, so when we had those
six firefighters come into the budget this year, that was a little bit of a of
a hurdle that we had to overcome, but now we're budgeting on a five-year plan.
So, we know what our situation is going to look like in 2031. Uh, and this seems
like a like a very good solution for us to pull those hires forward and and get
up to fully staffed status sooner. >> Sure. Thanks.
» Just to clarify, if I can, um, and we all knew that the we're all aware of the
needs. We all see the the the new fire station having to be
fully staffed and and one coming even further after that. So, we know we're
going to have to add what another 15 firefighters in the next few years. Um
the grant that you're talking about would not be for the six that we're
putting on now. It' be for the sixth the following year.
» That would be correct. >> Just to clarify, um I guess it's really
just a question as much for for the mayor, especially for folks watching.
So, all six of the new firefighters we would hire this year, which would not be
part of the grant, would be funded with operational deficit spending
uh for 2027, which I think we would support. Um, but help the public
understand watching why that changes after 2027 and it no longer becomes
operationally dependent on deficit. >> Well, it does in 2027 and 2028. uh in
2029 we get closer to evening out in 2030 we will be able to control our own
tax rate at that time and we can uh tax at an appropriate level to fund the
services that we need here in Zensville. So SEA1 uh is a phased in product right
now. Um so we're shifting I mean the big picture is we're shifting from property
taxes to income taxes to fund our government. And as that shift occurs,
you know, there's going to be a bit of a deficit until we get to the point where
we're less reliant on property taxes. >> Yeah. I just want folks following along
to realize that we this [clears throat] is what we're suggesting now. Future
council will have to vote for tax increases on that shift to make sure
that we're covering. >> Well, it's not a tax increase
necessarily. It's setting the tax rate. Right now, we don't set the the uh local
income tax rate under the terms of SEA1. Right now, the
all municipalities will be doing that uh in 2028 uh for collection in 29. And we
first receive those revenues in 2030, but
» you would have to have some increase in order to cover these costs of
firefighters more than what people are paying currently. I
» I don't know that that's necessarily true. And and maybe Tim Barry is here
with Crow. He can explain that a little further. It's a shifting of of where the
taxes >> you're just coming out are levied
whether from property taxes to local income tax.
» It'll be based on your >> I understand that people are paying less
in property taxes but action will have to be taken to pass new lit revenue. It
may be about depending on where your taxes are in terms of income versus
property. Some people are going to pay more some people may pay less. Some
people may come out flat. I'm just explaining to people that they may hear
that this council may have to pass a lit increase to cover those dollars that are
no longer coming in through property taxes.
» Well, I I think I think to be clear, it's no secret that that a council for
the town of Zansville will be required to increase the tax.
» That's what I'm just trying to have, >> but I think everybody in the public
knows that, too. There's no reason to to >> We just went through this last meeting.
» I mean, this is this is going to happen. So I think I think it's just important
to to have that. >> That's my point, Jason, is that I for
folks tracking and if I'm watching and thinking, hey, there's gonna be a
deficit. How why is that change? Why does all of a sudden the deficit
spending close the gap? It's going to it's going to close through a lit. But
no secret, but I don't know if everyone knows that. I would venture to say if I
pulled my neighbors, I don't know that most people know that that's coming
because they haven't always dialed in every meeting that we have. In fact,
some of our meetings haven't even been been shown on television the way they
should have. Go ahead, >> Tim Barry with Crow. Um, I might add
that the changes as a result of Senate Enrolled Act One uh will change the
local income tax um from how it is allocated. Those taxes
are allocated today based upon property tax levy. As you recall, the town of
Zansville is a loser in that scenario because
uh the town's property tax levy is not as high as some neighboring communities.
So, it is undetermined what that rate that will be necessary to fund moving
forward. But I will say that Zansville will benefit in the fact that uh the
incomes of Zansville uh the income tax dollars of Zansville will stay in
Zansville with the rate that is established by the town council. And
that may not be as uh high of a rate as some other neighboring communities will
need to adopt because of that levy in balance that is taking place today and
the income imbalance between the town of Zansville and other communities in the
county. I think that SCA1 has gotten a lot of um negative undertones because
it's easier for uh understanding that it has changed what is status quo. But I do
think there's positivity in SEA1 that people overlook because they don't
understand it. And I think um having more control on our local dollars is the
ultimate goal of SEA1. It's just changing from property taxes that are
divvied up not necessarily according to where they came from. And Tim called us
a loser. We're not losers. No. Um but we are contributors to our county. So
that's a that's a big point that I think I believe is what they're angling to
change with SEA1 that has the bad taste in everyone's mouth. But I think this is
the positive part of SEA1, the direction that is the legislation. I think they
get a lot of bad rap for this. And I think this is the part that people don't
understand that is I guess angled to be better for
Zansville. We can finally um pay for our own. And
the goal is for the balance of people who don't have income and struggle with
their property taxes to feel less of the burden and the people who are making
income to be able to have their money go to their town. So that's my
understanding of SEA1. I'm not an expert on it, but I do read on it and watch um
you know just different explanations of it and I believe that is what is
supposed to be happening per the legislation.
» Better for donors, not good for the recipients, the net recipients. There
are towns around us who got more money because of their growth rate and um it
will hurt them when it comes down to what income level they are at.
» Well, yeah. Well, Scienceville continues to medium home values in the $750,000
range, right? Strong income tax will help support us.
» Yeah, I think we're all comfortable doing it. I just want to make sure folks
at home are understanding why we would purposely pass a budget that wasn't
quote balanced on paper. That's how the mayor opened the meeting. Right.
» Well, I'm not comfortable with that. But um I do know that sometimes when we are
applying for grants and we have a large percentage of reserves, uh we get look
less favorably because it looks like well you could cover it. So, this is not
a complete negative either to spend down your reserve a little bit because you do
end up um looking more balanced. And even the county where we just had the
reallocation of the fire department u requests,
our fire department needs money too, but we don't look as needy. So, it would be
harder pressed to to go to the county and and have them have just done
[clears throat] a special distribution for us. So that's that's another
positive which sounds like a negative. S spending down your reserves a little bit
is not a bad thing. [clears throat] >> Yeah. No, it's not. And and kudos to
previous councils u many of them who we owe the gratitude I think for having a
$40 million deficit that we were to having a $40 million
» surplus. Surplus. >> Uh yeah like that's the wrong word.
» We're not losers and we don't have that allows us to be able to do this. So, I
think we've been fiscally uh responsible in the last decade.
» And I I would point out too that it works both ways in addition to, you
know, maybe some grants looking at us less favorably because we have high
reserves. Uh the rating agencies like to see those high reserves and as we go to
the market in bonding for the new fire station, for the new DPW center, that
works in our favor. having having those high reserves
» turns into that balance of that special sweet spot.
» So what would you say the sweet spot is? That's what I was sitting here. Is it I
know 20 15 to 20 is kind of our target, >> right?
» But when you've worked with the agencies closely, I mean is 30% more of a sweet
spot because then we're favorable to the bonding agencies but then our ability
maybe a question for Tim. >> Worth of that.
» It's high even higher than that. Okay. I I think they'd like to see it as high as
we can get it. Uh I think over 60% is probably preferable to them. Um you
know, we're not the only town that's wrestling with the effects of SEA1.
Every municipality in Indiana is going through this right now. And I think the
ra rating agencies are kind of looking sideways at everybody in Indiana at the
moment because of this unsettled period that we're in. Uh but us coming in with
a high uh reserve percentage is something that has really worked in our
favor and it's been been a positive. I mean, the bonds for the fire station
were 3.8%. Uh, try getting a mortgage for 3.8%
these days. You can't do it. I mean, that's that's pretty good and that
speaks well for what the market believes about Zensville's economic future.
» There are three things three things on that point I want to add very quickly.
Um, one is our ISO rating. Chief, can you very quickly talk about how
important the ISO rating is and why why having new more firefighters for ISO
matters? Yeah. Uh the insurance service office,
what you're referring to, uh has a rating for the fire departments uh
throughout the state of Indiana, throughout the nation. Um and that
insurance rating equates to what we as individual property owners pay in our
annual homeowners insurance premiums. The lower the score like a golf score,
the better off you are. We are on the cusp uh of being a class one fire
department. We are a class two uh fire department. Uh we are evaluated for the
number of fire stations, the proximity of those fire stations to our residents,
the response time, the staffing that is there. Uh will the six firefighters
ensure that we are a class one? It'll help. It will not be 100% of it, but it
is a big component of what goes on uh in evaluating the insurance service office
delivery of services to our community. And then and then the other thing we
didn't talk about um the the the the increase across the board for for pay.
How how is that going to go across with the department?
» Yeah, I think uh couple two two things are very important in this budget to
public safety, just not the firefighters, and I won't speak for
Chief Spears, but I know our uh law enforcement brother and sisters in blue
that are in the merit system uh is recruitment and retention. Uh currently
uh this year uh Zansville uh town of Zansville ranks below the 60th
organization in longevity pay. So we are well below our neighboring areas. One of
the things that the mayor has implemented as part of this plan is to
increase our longevity pay which will move that up and help our base pay so
that our incumbent firefighters as well as recruitment efforts will be able to
be competitive with neighboring areas. We will not be the highest. will not be
in the top three or so, but it'll at least put us back up towards the top to
be competitive for both police and fire for recruitment and retention.
» And what is that longevity years? How does how do you end up getting the
longevity pay? >> Um, based upon state law, it says that a
uh pension base is determined by base pay plus 20 years of service unless you
are a local unionized organization. The fire department does have a recognized
union. So therefore, we are able to account for or accredit and add up to 25
years worth of longevity. Some people ask why is the police and fire
different? Again, that's one of the uh many benefits of having a union and the
fire department is we're able to account and add the 25th year of longevity pay.
» Chief, I had a quick question about the uh uh the budget that's in front of us.
Looks like on 27 28 29 on personal ser person personnel services there's a
there's a I guess it goes down a million dollars then back up. Can you explain?
» Yeah, I would have to defer to Tim Barry and financing records. I can tell you
that we've been working on a five-year budget with the mayor and stuff and I
would say that 27's pretty rock solid with all the numbers that we have and uh
28 and beyond are kind of some projections right now and I'd say
they're not quite finished. >> Does that represent grant funding? uh
that does not count take into account any grant funding. I think it's more
just some administrative administrative cleaning up that needs to be done in 28
29 and 30 uh within the plan they have.
» Can you speak to um the six firefighters and the retirements? Um, are
we able to continue to replace everyone who's retiring then which would not be
included as an additional person or do we anticipate having some positions dip
down as people retire? I'm I'm just trying to follow when we have people go
to training and how it's cyclical and wondered if we would see
I guess unplanned possible savings from timing of retirements versus bringing
new people on or is that anticipated that we're going to bring extra people
on early as people are rolling off? I believe in the six months between
January and July we might have a couple of retirements.
» Will we and will we bring an additional two people on to be trained so that when
the retirees roll off the numbers would stay the same personnel wise but it
would almost appear to be two over for a few months or how does that work with
timing of training? >> You're exactly correct counselor. Um
Zenzo Fire Department has been received written notification from two
individuals who are planning to retire um at the end of Q1 2027. Um it is our
intent to hire two individuals in in addition to the six the so this is uh we
talk about retirements. This is not part of the plus six as we talk about it
internally to our firefighters. Uh we would look to hire two additional
individuals. We would start them in January. One may say, "Wait a second.
You don't need them till April when they retire." Keep in mind that when we hire
individuals, they have to go off to a 22- week academy. And we actually won't
see those individuals come to work for us until June. So, they're actually
going to be after where they are. We will have a short two or three month
period of time. We'll be paying both salaries. How are we able to achieve
that? Uh, a couple of things is one, we have to just absorb those extra costs
within our budget. It's not part of an additional dollar amount or a bucket of
money that we've put in there. But we're also think about this way. We have uh
individuals with 20 plus years of service that have 20 years of longevity.
Uh and we'll be replacing those with individuals with one year. And then
individuals with one I'm looking to HR to confirm years one through three or
one through four don't get any longevity. So there'd be some cost
savings there and going from a senior employee to a more junior employee. Um
you know from the safety board discussions that the fire department uh
has been challenged with staffing. We have two current vacancies. We're super
excited to share that through the recruitment effort of Captain Campbell,
our paramedic uh firefighter hiring has gone excellent. We have two individuals
that should be working as laterals, meaning they were experienced
firefighters somewhere else coming to shift for us before November of this
year. That's great. Uh we'll help fill some voids. And then we also look to go
back to that fair, excuse me, firefighter paramedic hiring list. There
are four more individuals on that list and extend four of the six job offers
that are coming to that. So that again, we're adding paramedics to the fire
department, which has also been something we've talked about at the
safety board level. And I'm sure as you guys have traveled around and heard from
our firefighters, we are short in the paramedic field. Also want to give kudo
to our incumbent firefighters that we have three of our current firefighters
that are off in paramedic school right now and they will graduate in June or
July of next year. >> That sounds like great news.
» Thank you. >> Any other questions for Chief Van Gorder
and his team?
Okay. Well, the next uh department up, thank you, gentlemen. The next
department up is the police department. Um, and we are not asking for new
officers at this time. We believe the department is currently uh well staffed.
However, there are three areas that are going to be transitioning from rural to
urban. Wild Air, the courtyards of Russell Lakes, and the courtyards of
Heritage Trail. And obviously, very few people live there now. Uh, but
population in those areas will grow. We know that for sure. So, uh we plan to
propose adding three to five new police officers by 2031. Uh but again, none of
those new hires are uh in the pipeline for 2027. And with that, I I put the
numbers on the screen for you and uh Chief and his team are sitting at the
table to answer any questions. >> Yeah, if there are any uh questions for
Chief Spears and his team, I I don't have any questions. Oh, I just let me
I'll just open it up for real quick one more time as a the budget leaison for
police. I want to thank um Chief Spears, Captain Samuelson for for their hard
work. Um this this budget proposal adds I believe the biggest biggest expense
here is new vehicles, right? There there's a few new vehicles uh that that
we want to to add to the fleet. >> Actually, there's a decrease in number
of vehicles that we are purchasing this year.
» Right. Right. But we're still adding. So, I mean, that's the biggest expense,
right, for for the department this year. And then we we talked adnauseium about
about new hires, and it sounds like again, as more neighborhoods come
online, there will be a need in future years, but but you're this budget
proposal does not add any new police officers to the force this year, right?
And and you're fine with with that as as we sit here right now?
» Yes. Fortunately, we're fully staffed right now. Uh although two of our
officers just started the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Academy today. So
they're they're in uh some form of training for the next several months,
but once they're out, we'll be fully staffed and uh and I feel like we're
we're good for next year. >> Very easy.
» All right. Any other questions for Chief and his
team? >> Thanks.
» Thank you guys. >> Thank you. Uh I'm kind of going in the
order of size of the departments and and uh impact on the budget. So the next one
will be DPW and Lance is going to take the table here obviously for streets,
facilities, and storm water. We we'll focus on streets first and you will
notice uh in the request there there's a request for one new employee um to get
us closer closer to the staffing that is commensurate with the formula that takes
into account the number of people served the number of lane miles of road that we
service as well as I mentioned before the anticipated movement of several
areas from rural to urban. Uh another notable item is Lance's move the Oak
Street path construction to 2028. uh we will work on obtaining rights of
way in 2027. So the project is not falling off the radar. It's just moving
on a timeline that uh fits into our budget a little better than uh
previously announced. So um if anybody is concerned about the Oak Street
Pathway not going forward, it is going forward uh albeit on a little different
time schedule. So with that in mind, if we could stick to the streets um
category right now, any questions for Lance on that? and he would be happy I'm
sure to answer those
inter lance intersection improvement um there is there any big asks for next
year in terms of you know where you want to see
I'm thinking of intersections like I'm thinking of in front of St. house. I'm
thinking of in front of here at town hall. I'm thinking of 200 in in
Michigan, which I know is in DOT's territory. Is there anything in this
budget for next year that that is a need or a want that didn't make it in or
» the needs and wants are many? [laughter] >> Yes.
» Um but at this point, there is no focus project contemplated in the budget. um
we don't have the funding in the near-term horizon to fund the
preliminary phases of any major road construction even if we get a grant um
or crossings or any types of those only cover construction. Um Mr. Mayweather is
putting together a list of the top dozen or so um having merged the comprehensive
plan which was recently completed along with our most recent traffic impact
study. So he is building sort of a prioritized list of these areas to vet
with the mayor and council as well so that when funding opportunities do arise
as far as grants we can be prepared to do that and we kind of all agree on what
the next you know one or two transportation projects should be but
the budget does not include any significant intersection projects.
» Could you could you speak real quickly to the kind of the jump in capital
outlays in 2028? What is that project or what what are you looking at
» in 2028? 2028. >> Yeah, that's a little over. It's almost
1.9 million. That's phases three uh phases four and five of the Oak Street
pathway to connect. Originally, we had broken this out into five phases to to
make it a little more um by the bite of the elephant type approach and
affordable on an annual basis. Uh the last two phases, phase three will be be
under contract this year and probably constructed next year. What we did is
combine phases four and five because uh they can include a bridge uh over the
creek out west and then [clears throat] a really small segment. So it it made
more sense to spend a year getting engineering completed so that we have
more accurate cost. So when we're at this point next year, uh instead of a a
high level estimate, we could have something more approaching a
construction cost >> and that would 2028 we would be able to
finish the pathway at that point >> in 2020 2028. We would at least get it
under contract uh if not constructed. >> Thank you.
I think this is one of our big areas. We get a lot of push back from our
constituents that they would like to see the infrastructure
improvements um especially in the north side where the c county roads are
getting um crowded especially during rush hour um or school hours.
Do you work with the county to um pay for those improvements or are we
completely at the mercy of the county to get something like 300?
» We we work with the county and we're always looking for opportunities to
partner. There are some more some lesser significant projects uh that could
evolve um in the next year or two or three that are partnerships with the
county and INDOT, but those are still in their infancy.
» I'm interested in seeing the intersection improvement uh the top
dozen. Um and I won't be afraid to say it. That's
something I would consider midyear if we come up with ways that um could help
some of our traffic uh congestion in specific areas as we
look at that list. >> Um I would I would love to announce that
we're doing something major for everyone that's frustrated.
» Understood. And of course with the the financial outlook, you know, we don't
have money for these projects. >> I understand that. Um, but we're looking
forward to working with the mayor and getting his concurrence and input. Um,
and then he would engage the council leadership to see what you wanted to do
for rolling out our unfunded plan. >> Right.
It's just hard to explain that we can use our reserves for some things. And if
this is one of our people's biggest complaints that we're hearing about, I
think that this [clears throat] is not a bad area to focus on.
Thank you. >> I I I would tend to agree. Thank you.
» That's just since it came up the I think I think a lot of people talk about 300
which is a county project. I think I did I not recently hear that maybe there's
been some movement though from the county to maybe move forward with doing
something >> on three. Is that an intersection
project? Are you talking about the intersection?
» The the widening. >> Oh, the widening. Uh no. I the
intersection there are some intersection projects under consideration but as far
as overall widening throughout the corridor I've not heard anything about
that. >> Thank you. Maybe wishful thinking.
» Any other questions for Mr. Lance?
» Thank you. >> All right. He's going to stay in the
seat to talk about facilities which I think is pretty straightforward. I don't
have any additional comments but uh the numbers are on your screen right now. on
Lance. I don't know if you have anything more to say about facilities.
» Uh, not really except there is one um thing to recognize and that is that the
mayor's restructuring of responsibilities, the increase in
services and charges. The facilities maintenance division has taken over the
billings for the security of all the facilities and the cameras. That used to
be an IT expense. Um, so we are taking that over in facilities maintenance.
That's the the really one and only major change for this year, next year
proposed.
And if there are no further questions there, we can move on to storm water.
[clears throat]
That one appears very straightforward like you apply a percentage and it just
goes up each year by a small amount.
» Any questions? >> I don't have any additional comments. If
you have questions about storm [clears throat] water,
» I think we're good. >> Okay.
» Thank you. >> Thank you.
All right. The next department uh that we would like to take a look at here is
parks and recreation. Uh you will notice uh and you have noticed taking a deep
dive that it includes one new hire in parks maintenance which would increase
the headcount in the department. But I want to be very clear it does not
increase the cost because we're able to move one of our naturalists out of the
parks operating fund to the non-reverting operating account. that is
funded by programming fees which will be sa self self- sustaining going forward.
Uh and that is the first step in the parks department's goal of having all of
our naturalists uh funded by programming fees eventually. But you know we're
we're taking that step by step. I think this is a very good step and it will
certainly help uh in the maintenance of our parks particularly this time of year
when our seasonals are back at school or back you know at uh other jobs that um
they're not able to help us with maintenance anymore at this time of year
but the maintenance goes on for another couple of months until the snow flies.
So uh with that Jared is in the seat and he can answer any questions that that
you might have.
I guess I would just say real quickly as a leazison with the parks group, I I
want to thank Jared and his staff. Um I think there's there's no department that
does more with less that probably than this department and I think our
community absolutely loves our parks. They're incredibly important to them,
but they're not they're not inexpensive to maintain and to grow. And I
[clears throat] think um if you look at 2027, there are some costs in there that
are associated with the kind of the growth of the parks in our in our town.
Um but otherwise you've done a wonderful job of managing the money and um
hopefully we can continue to support all that you aspire to do with our parks.
Thanks Jared.
» Any questions for Jared?
» Thanks. >> Okay. Thank you.
» Appreciate it. Oh, is that we good? I guess we're good. Okay. Uh let's move
on to inter information technology. Um again there is additional employee in
the budget uh and this is the person who will focus the vast vast majority of
their time on public safety seeing to the tech needs of our police and fire
departments which represent 63% of our employees and more than 60% of the
budget and you know I will point out that they do operate 24 hours a day 7
days a week and the technical needs that both police and fire have are only
growing. Other municipalities have had success in bringing in an employee in IT
to focus specifically on those needs. Uh and in addition, it will free up the
current IT staff to handle more tickets from other departments and plan for the
future needs of the town. Uh the budget reflects uh also increasing costs of
hardware and software licenses and supports our goal of maintaining
security and increasing the transparency for our constituents. So, all that being
said, uh, John Emory is in the seat right now and can answer any questions
you might have.
» Do we have someone overlooking um consolidating licenses? Do we I know at
some point when we're looking at the claims that are coming across, we see
subscriptions for um a variety of things. Do we all
run that through each other that we are no department is paying for
an additional license on its own or >> say licenses what do you like anything
» software supports or I don't know I've just seen simple things like um the one
that pops in mind is the simplest and it's not necessarily it but like the IBJ
I've seen it come through from different aart or departments is there anyone that
» so really the only software I guess that comes out of it would be Microsoft
office software ware um anything that's um sometimes
like secure access something that like every department uses
» uh each department has their own PC card they everybody has their own
whatever they want to get is up to them and their department head and that's a
finance policy it's not really me >> okay
» um but >> it just made me think about it when I
thought about costs that you have and Um, it just hit me. I wondered if we
ever >> check that there isn't some sort of cost
savings in um cross departmental subscriptions or um
» that's not >> But you don't have anything other than
» my stuff is mostly it's well my stuff is all information technology related,
infrastructure related and security related.
» Okay. the new public safety it um where will
that individual work out of well out of town hall do you anticipate
» uh probably out of town hall um currently I don't have any more office
space uh it's on the list to figure out but uh the biggest hurdle I guess is
getting it approved so we're kind of I don't want to put the the cart before
the horse so to say so I figured we would get this through and then move
forward Can you explain to us the benefit of having this public safety IT
individual um for you and your department?
» So currently I would say public safety is 50 if not 60 or 75% of all the
tickets we get all the on call support uh public safety is 24/7. Currently all
those responsibilities kind of fall to me and I've been on call for five years.
I'm not opposed to it. It just is what it is. Um, but ideally we can get
someone in. And and then the other benefit to having a public safety is
currently all of or most of the knowledge I have
from working here at this long is in my head and I want to be able to get that
out of my head and get that passed around. So it it it's the the age-old if
if the IT guy gets hit by a bus, uh, all that knowledge is gone and we have to
get that out and we have to spread that around. So we don't have a single point
of failure. And it single point of failure is the worst. That's the worst
you can be. And currently when it comes to knowledge and help and things like
that, I'm the single point of failure. So we share that knowledge. We get that
knowledge spread throughout our department more. Uh we also have that
help to focus on public safety. Uh then then yes.
» Does that sort of explain your >> No, it's very very helpful. Just saying
50 to 60 to 75% of your tickets. Yeah, >> are public safety related. That that
helps me tremendously. So, thank you. >> And I would throw in there, if we didn't
have John, we would have a major bandwidth issue. And I don't mean it
related, I mean personnel related, but he carries a huge load. Um, I think the
addition of the safety officer is going to let him recapture some bandwidth
because as I sat through these meetings, I just kept thinking about how difficult
it is while managing the day-to-day to be proactive and be thinking ahead for
future issues. He's doing a great job and and I think that the addition of the
uh safety personnel or the IT safety person is going to play out huge uh for
the IT department. Would this person work in that command center or just
that's when you said where would they work out of? Um would it be someone that
would be needed? And do you know what I'm saying? The RV or is that someone
who stays here and works with them? >> Person will probably
» hopefully work out of my office. We're just we'll just shift things around how
we need to. Uh, I would imagine there on between the
will be four firehouses and police department. I can't imagine they'll be
in the office a whole lot. >> Okay.
» Um, >> I was thinking that like is this kind of
a remote help or would they end up >> going from spot to spot?
» We're pretty resourceful. Yeah, >> we'll figure it out.
» I I think it's a I think it's a needed position.
Just I guess this is a question towards the mayor. So DPW mentioned the camera
systems uh throughout the uh the town that they would take over the
maintenance on those. Was that at IT before? Was that IT's programming before
or and was that strategic to put it over on DPW to give
it more? >> It is. and and you know when we had a
change in our IT department a little over a year ago um it looked to me like
it was sort of becoming the catchall for everything and I thought that if we
allowed just because it plugs in doesn't make it it so we allowed the the other
departments to take more responsibility for the things that more directly
affected them
[clears throat] and I think I think it's been it's I
think it's been helpful to John and I think it's made us uh certainly more
streamlined in in it and allow them to focus on the things that are really
important both internally and outward facing.
» Great.
» Okay. Uh the next Thank you, John. The next item is uh planning and building.
Um the planning and building department has been short-handed since the hiring
freeze that we imposed two years ago with the passage of SEA1.
um I'll go ahead and take responsibility. It wasn't we that
imposed that. I imposed that. Um but at the same time, the volume of work has
only been increasing. So I think a deputy director, adding a deputy
director will help provide direction for the department as well as help us build
a succession plan in a department where several key employees are either at or
near retirement age. So this is uh we're trying to be forward thinking here as
well as uh give them some help in the short term you know to to impose a
little more organization a little more efficiency um which I think is badly
needed in planning and building. So with that Mike Dale is in the seat uh ready
to take your questions. >> Good morning.
[clears throat] >> Questions for Mr. Dale.
» All right. Okay, thanks. >> Thank you.
» All right, the next uh department is communications. Um you may notice that
the communications budget looks a little bit different uh than it did last year.
We've added a line for part-time help. Uh but those funds have been moved from
contractual services. So, it's really not a budget impact. It's just a a
change to the part-time line. Um and it will give Alexa more support um
especially as as more projects come in line and and things that are, you know,
specific needs. and and she's in the seat right now to answer any any
questions you might have.
» Maybe you could share real quickly about the contractual like what you're
thinking about doing in terms of finding some support.
» Absolutely. So, um currently we actually have somebody on staff part-time that
can and has assisted me with several projects um which includes photography,
videography, and some drone work. and having somebody that's already on staff
but not having a part-time line to be able to utilize that at a quick moment's
notice um will be a huge benefit to the continued success of the communications
department. Um so that's kind of the goal with moving so it's budget neutral.
I already have a contract services line, which most of these things do get
contracted out, but having someone on staff that's close by that already knows
how Zansville operates is super helpful. Um, and just makes us be able to get
those items out quicker and more effectively. Um, contract services is my
biggest line just because I am a department of one. So, a lot of those
things, bigger projects for videos and other photography projects still get
outsourced. Um, as well as some graphic design work. So, it does stay budget
neutral, but it's going to be a huge help to be able to utilize that option
more.
» Okay, great. >> Uh for the rest of the departments we
have, we'll go through a little more quickly. They're pretty straightforward,
but the the next one up is uh human resources. Um and this budget uh is just
showing normal increases from year to year. But one thing that HR would like
to do is a salary survey. uh that would cost about $30,000 to assess how the
town salaries compare with other municipalities and in the marketplace.
Uh and Joe and I have talked about this and that's not an expense that I would
like to incur in 2027. Uh something we will reconsider in future years, but I
don't think it's uh it fits into the budget for 2027. But if uh anybody has
any other questions uh for Joe, she is available.
» So my question is a pretty simple one. So, you are looking to give everyone a
3.85% increase by giving them just an additional paycheck. Is that correct?
And >> well, there are 27 pays because we're
paid [cough and clears throat] um bi-weekly, right?
» So, there are 27 pays. >> So, it's just going to happen naturally.
» It's going to happen naturally and our choice is
how do you uh how do you not continue to pay, you know, on that 27th pay? Um and
different communities have have decided to do it differently. Um one option
would be to take my annual salary and divide it by 27. But then every payday
you are shorting me and I don't think that's a legitimate
» right >> uh option.
» So the the pay increase is associated with just that additional correct pay.
» But going into the next year that 3.85% will not actually be factored in. So,
I'm just wondering, are we looking at pay increases on top of
» Oh, it will. It will. It becomes part of the new base salary. Okay. So, in 2028,
any salary increases will be built upon that. And and I will say that in our
five-year budget plan, uh we have built in uh a modest pay increase each year
that we can adjust up or down based on market conditions at the time.
» Thank you. And what you will see on the salary ordinance a couple months from
now is an incre an increase of everyone's salary for the 3.85%
um to make sure that we're um [clears throat] notifying and and making
sure that the salary number is correct for state board of accounts.
» That's exactly why I was asking. I didn't want us to have to then go back
to go >> correct.
And Joe, just for the sake of the council, can you explain the PEF and how
it is scheduled to bump each of the next couple years? I know
» well there's a lot of confusion when because lots of people say PEF. Um PEF
is civilian. >> So I I have uh PEF, you know, this whole
group over here in in uh uniform, they have fund 77, which is completely
different fund. um the um fund 77 um committee or whoever the people are
um they tell me they tell us there's a schedule um for the increases for the
employer portion and we have no choice. We we are committed to that and so those
are the increases that take place um for every you know every employee in public
safety >> right but then we we do bump the PEF
just to keep things kind of more in line right and aren't there if I recall
correctly there's some pretty chunky bumps to the 77 that are already known
» sure um and I don't have it's one or one or two% % over the [clears throat] next
couple of years is that have already been notified. Um I don't have the same
for civilian but civilian we're matching um or we are doing the employer or
employee portion too which is 3% it's 6% for public safety.
» The 77 is a huge chunk of the budget of which we have zero control over other
than hiring those firefighters, right? Everyone pays into the 77. It's a huge
chunk of our budget. So the the jumps over the next two to three years are
something that we have no control over. Not that I'm, you know, it's a
contribution. And I've I've I've learned this too. It doesn't actually mean that
the the public safety personnel are not they're actually not getting more money
out of this. We're just donating they're just donating more money into the pot,
which is unfortunate, but it does make up a huge portion of um of the budget is
paying into the 77. And that's in the projections going forward. That was my
point is just to let you guys know that all those bumps are accounted for,
» right? >> Yes.
» And will those people vest in it 20 years?
» There's different schedules for whether you're talking about civilian or public
safety. And >> minimum [clears throat] is 20 years. Um
and then there are um if you stay longer, you get a more larger percentage
of your of the actual certified salary. I have that correct.
» And when someone does invest in it, it just rolls
» back into the fund. >> Sure.
» It it is it is the state fund, right? >> And just like lots of retirements,
you're paying into it, you're paying into it, and you may or may not
» reap the benefits of it >> as as an individual.
Joe, I just want to say [clears throat] thank you for uh all your hard work on
protecting that 3.85%. I think it's important. I know the nuance and how it
gets paid out. Uh which I appreciate also that people don't have less in
their kind of monthly budget. So, I think that's a smart way to do it. But
also, um, not we haven't talked a whole lot about it, but, uh, in these dollars,
it's we're seeing a flat, um, maintenance of our health insurance
costs, which most >> we spent nine months, um, between last
year and this year um, crafting a brand new plan that, uh, we hope will um,
result in quite a bit of savings. though to kind of hedge our bets a little bit.
We maintained a flat um expense for both the staff and the town in the budget.
» Yeah, I think that's important. I appreciated hearing about that and
really that it's protecting the same quality that people need and expect. So
just uh great job on overall. >> Thank you. Also, just for the sake of
the council, will you explain the because I think it's a really good thing
that you guys have done. Um, how the benefits are being taken out because
it's to the employees advantage is the way that you guys
» are you referring to the 27 pays? >> So, in 2027, there will be 2020 there
will be 27 pays. In January um of 27, we will not uh deduct benefit expense,
employee benefit expense. So for those for different employees it's going to be
a different impact whether it's individual or family but it's one less
you know deduction in January. So for many it will feel a little better.
» Any other questions for Joe? >> Okay. The next department we have is
finance. Um and you notice in here there's there's money in the capital
improvement fund. the CCI fund to continue the digitization project that
we have underway. We don't want to let that fall off. Uh as well as moving the
financial system to the cloud, which will certainly make it more secure, much
more efficient. Uh and this is something that um you know, I I frankly think is a
little bit overdue, but it's going to protect us against, you know, a tornado
coming through and taking out our servers or something like that. Uh the
information will be in a much better place once it's in the cloud. So, that's
that's the one uh difference in finance this year, and Cindy is there to answer
any further questions you might have.
» I mean, it looks like Cindy's got [clears throat] a handful of them here.
If you just maybe just rattle through them, go through them. Okay. Um, she
also has Okay. The town court um increased the budget about $3,900 this
year to hire a Spanish- speaking interpreter that the judge has asked
for. Uh actually the judge has asked for this the past couple years. So we uh you
know kind of felt that the persistence uh with which she's been asking uh means
something. So we're going to put that in the budget for this year. Uh there is no
increase in salary for the judge. That's $6,100. The prosecutor makes $2,700 a
year and the court administrator is a part-time employee uh in the finance
department. and Cindy will also speak to the public assistance administration,
mayor, council, and non-dep departmental uh budgets as well. So, um I can tick
through them in order here or you know, you can do it however you want. You can
ask Cindy any question. She's she's there and ready to answer.
» Maybe just go through them, John, and then maybe at the end if we have
questions. >> Okay. Well, there's we'll start with
finance. Um, most of the money in here is
» salaries, right? And and that capital outlay that I did mention for the
digitization project. >> Any questions about finance?
» Okay. Town court. >> The only question I have about town
court is you mentioned uh the judge and the prosecutor have the same salary. Is
there any particular reason why we don't tie that to cost of living like we do?
The judge makes a little bit more than than the prosecutor, but but yes, the
the salaries have not changed, >> but it doesn't go up, right? I mean,
» right. The salaries have not changed uh in the past several years, or at least
as long as I've been doing this, their salaries haven't changed.
» That's a good question. We hadn't really thought of that. Do they get paid uh
bi-weekly like everybody else or they get paid monthly?
» Monthly. >> They get paid monthly.
Yeah, I mean they I I know it's uh obviously it's an elected position and
an appointed position. I know it's a lot of work. I just wonder even though it's
seems like a pretty minimal amount. I just wonder if we don't
seems like it wouldn't hurt to tie that to the same cost of living increases
that we get or anybody else gets. >> Right. Okay. And I was going to Tim, I
don't remember what um came up because we were trying to decide whether or not
their pay got compensated by the state. It does not. Okay. Because we at the
time we weren't sure if they got compensated from the state as well, but
I I guess he's saying no, they don't. So, um
» yeah, I mean I I guess um if it's possible, I'd like to see maybe that
tied to an increase. Um and then, you know, Joe, I know you you mentioned a
salary study earlier. I think AIM just did one in 25 that'll roll out here at
the end of 26. Maybe we can >> you have that. So, does that also have
judge and prosecutor salaries too or No, >> I'm pretty sure it does.
» I mean, it it might be good just to take a look at that again. It's a lot of work
and I know we're with all the additional, you know, court work that's
being done with the other municipalities and us absorbing that, it might make
sense to to revisit that at some point. >> Yep.
And in addition, starting from the base where where we are right now, it
wouldn't be a significant budget impact. So certainly something that I'd be happy
to consider. Um the next line is public assistance
and uh as the townships dissolved, uh we became the township trustees. Uh and
Cindy actually is the township trustee, right? For
» Yes. >> Union and for Perry
» and Eagle. >> And Eagle.
» Yeah. the uh this budget is is pretty much flat um from uh the current year.
Uh we've been able to stay within our current budget right now. We did
increase it significantly last year or for 2026. So, um right now we're doing
fine with the budget that we have. So, I don't foresee any need to uh increase
it. >> Sandy, you're not seeing additional
requests or folks coming forward? Not not really. I mean, it's it's been
pretty steady, but it's also been um pretty level as far as whether they're
asking for shelter, utility, etc. So, we're we're well within our budget right
now. >> Yeah. [clears throat]
» Okay. The next item is administration. Um and you know, there you see the
numbers. I don't have any additional comments on this. Cindy, do you?
» No. Okay. >> Any questions?
Okay. Uh the mayor's budget uh which basically the same from year to year. Uh
no increases for other services and charges and uh you know then you just
have the personnel cost. That is is pretty straightforward too.
The council budget. Any questions about the council budget?
Yeah, I think the um we we'll likely see and we didn't get this to you guys uh
Friday because we were going through a lot of this on Friday, but with um
changes to support to the council, um we'll likely see some of those expenses
being absorbed by uh Barnes and Thornberg and then obviously others with
um someone with within Cindy's department and staff. So, we're still
trying to work that out and we'll have an engagement letter from Barnes that
will detail that soon and then we'll get that to you guys. But just for the
public and for the council to know though, there likely will be a change in
this bottom line number of 306 because we'll be um leveraging Barnes to help
with a lot of our meeting prep. So, >> okay,
we'll look forward to that discussion. And then the the final budget we have is
the non-EP departmental. And this is kind of a a catchall for expenses that
affect every department like insurance premiums, uh bank fees, ditch fees,
bonding for the employees who are bonded. Uh spending will be up about 2%
and that's mostly due to higher property and casualty insurance rates. So if
there's any questions about that, u Cindy is ready to answer them.
So, >> uh, within this budget is the food and
beverage fund and and I don't know if you want to talk about the food and
beverage fund. Uh, currently we have about $1.4 million in the bank. Uh, and
the monthly gain that we've been getting has been increasing a bit recently due
to some new restaurants coming online and and some new activity in that area.
So, we're now averaging about $70,000 a month. And, as you know, that can only
be used for economic development purposes. So we're proposing in 2027
spending about 470,000 that would be 75,000 for the Booney DC,
30,000 for the Indie Chamber, 115,000 which is the payment on the town hall
mortgage that comes from food and beverage. Uh 100,000 for the new CBP
office which will be a one-time expense going forward. That would likely be
about 50,000 a year. uh a h 100,000 for the main street momentum business
support project and then 50,000 for zark the architectural review committee um so
that is that is what we have in mind and that's what we'd like to appropriate
from the food and beverage fund and uh you know if additional needs or desires
uh emerge throughout the year we would come back for an additional
appropriation to the council >> mayor what what's the what's the update
on the CBP because a 100,000 are we not doing the employee um
» that that includes uh helping to fund for that employee. So, uh the CBP office
is currently being built out at the airport uh as part of a larger project
for Becks. They're they're building out a new hanger and the CBP office as part
of that building. Uh we are working in partnership with Hamilton County, Boone
County, Westfield, Lebanon, and Carmel to fund operations there. Uh so the
initial payment would be our share of the um the construction buildout and and
equipping that office appropriately and then ongoing for probably the next two
or three years it would be to help pay for one of the employees there. The the
plan right now is to have two employees there. Uh and in addition to doing the
customs duties, they'll be able to help with um you know the the
» global entry. >> Global entry. Right.
» Right. I was going to say clear pass, but global entry, I think, is the is the
exact term. So, um, you know, high hopes. It's moving forward and, um, as
far [clears throat] as I know, they're on track to get that going in the first
quarter of 2027. >> Thank you.
» Can you say those that list of breakdown of expenses one more time? I wrote some
of them down and I wanted to >> Sure. uh 75 75,000 for Booney DC, 30,000
for the Indie Chamber, 115,000 for the town hall payment,
100,000 for the CBP office, 100,000 for the Main Street Momentum Business
Support Project, and then 50,000 for Zark.
Total of 470,000.
which gives us the opportunity to, you know, leave some in that account for
things to come up. [clears throat]
So, [snorts] um,
the Zark 50,000 um, every year I feel like the Zark I I I get comments from
the people on Zark about 50,000 not being enough or they they can't do
anything with that money. is is 50,000 just kind of I think it's been that way
for a few years. Correct. >> It has been that way for a few years. Uh
last this past year they haven't used it or they haven't used it so far.
» Okay. >> In [clears throat] 2026, but it doesn't
build up. You know, it is an appropriation that's available to them
to use as they see fit. If they need more than 50,000, they can come back to
the council and ask for an additional appropriation. I I don't know that
that's ever happened >> in the history of Zark.
» Okay. >> They don't fund things at 100%. They
they fund things at >> right
» a certain percent chunks. >> Yeah. Yeah.
[clears throat] >> So in closing here, you know, I believe
that this budget is presented protects the level of service everyone in
Zensville expects uh in the SEA1 world. Uh and again, it will get us back to
balance by 2030. Um, so just as a timeline here, any concerns you have,
uh, please share them with us by September 4th, so we can be ready to
post the budget to gateway, September 11th. That that's our deadline to do
that. The first reading of the budget and public hearing will occur at the
regular town council meeting on September 21st,
and the second reading uh will be on October 5th, and hopefully we would have
final passage at that time.
Uh, thank you, mayor. So, you want uh any feedback from council by um the
fourth, >> please. That would be very helpful.
» Yeah, I appreciate that. I think the uh um appreciate your work and the work
from the um you know, staff and obviously council as well. And just you
know, we've had couple of runs at this. I know um you guys sent out the the
5-year plan and these budgets on the 12th and to everybody on the council. We
all got it, reviewed it then again on the 21st with final changes. So, um I
don't know if there's been feedback from there, but again, council, just as the
mayor indicated, if there's any changes you'd like to have, uh we need to have
those submitted by 94 so we can have everything updated again by 911 and then
we'll hear that in the mid o or midepptember and 1 October meeting. So,
Heather, is there any anything you'd like to add to that or any changes or N?
» All right. >> President Punky, can I ask a question to
the mayor? Mayor, uh, we talked about the food and beverage fund, uh, and all
these. I know these aren't part of the budget, but they're they're part I'm
glad that councelor Samson asked you to repeat them. Um, is you said this kind
of has to go towards economic development. Um, and I I I guess I'm
just got a disconnect in my head. It says town hall, the town hall payment of
115,000. Can you help me understand the
connection there between economic development and
uh how we're using that for those funds for that payment.
» Yeah. [clears throat] >> And what your justification is on that.
» I'm going to let Cindy answer that because
» she was decided. Yeah. that was decided when uh we took the bond or actual lease
out to build town hall. Uh so we we actually get the payment dollars from
about four different sources. And so at the time it was decided that um uh the
building of the town hall fell within that category. And so um
it was it was decided to use food and beverage for a portion of the town hall
payment. >> And I think the the argument would be
that building the town hall consolidated public services made public services
more efficient and that in itself is an economic development tool. Having a town
council having a town hall that is more responsive and more efficient than than
what we had before.
You could also make the argument pretty easily that all of the, you know, fire
department uh meetings, you know, if you drive out any any given, you know, week,
there's a hundred police cars or fire, you know, vehicles from other
municipalities that come in here for meetings and then they go out into the
town, have lunch or lunch is brought in. I mean, you know, there's certainly
economic value to having a centralized location for for public meetings like
that. just just to me it seems like a payment
a payment [clears throat] structure for a a facility like like the town hall
should be coming from another uh another fund as opposed to one that's funded by
the the local businesses or that that collect the food and beverage tax and I
don't know as I look at the other boon DC and the chamber and the CVP I can see
that Main Street of course and then Zark that goes straight back into the
community and I understand the use of the town hall. Um, but I just
I struggled with that 115,000, but I'll let that go. I just wanted to kind of
understand and interpret your and uh how long ago did that occur that
» when we did the lease, which would have been
» so when it was first >> 17
» 17 something like that
» and that will just go on into until the payments paid off. Is that
» Yeah, I believe it's 2037 is when the town halls paid off.
» Just wanted to have a little mini conversation about that. Thank you.
» You said there are four sources that are paying into that though. What are the
» the uh CCD fund, Oak Street, TIFF, food and beverage, and then uh the general
fund through lit dollars. And initially for the first five years,
the county actually contributed towards the town hall as well, but that has
since ended.
[clears throat] >> I would just thank the department heads.
This is just another example of really hard good work and appreciate being a
part of it. Been through a lot of these processes over the last seven years and
they get better every year. So appreciate everybody's hard work and
diligence.
» Okay. Thank you. >> Thanks, John.
I don't know that we necessarily need like an official uh adjournment here, so
you guys can just kill the feed in the back whenever you're ready.
» Thank you. >> Thanks, everybody.