The Clarksville Town Council held its annual organizational meeting on January 7, 2025, to elect officers and appoint members to numerous boards and commissions. The regular session followed, addressing several ordinances, resolutions, and public hearings. Key items included an annexation for Origin Park, creation of pollinator gardens, establishment of a three-way stop, purchase of police vehicles, surplus property declarations, temporary loans, budget transfers, and renewal of the town attorney's contract. The meeting concluded with a work session featuring presentations from Clark County CARES and Jeffersonville Animal Control regarding the interlocal agreement for animal shelter services.
Clerk Treasurer A.D. Stonecypher reported that property tax draws received in December were more than 20% lower than the summer draws, typical due to lump-sum payments in May. He advised the council to monitor state legislation on road funding, property tax reform, and local income tax options, which could affect town finances.
Council members Schiller, Voiner, Stotts, Henderson, Munich, and McEwen expressed gratitude to public works, police, fire, and all department heads for their storm response and wished everyone a happy new year.
Call to order, call to order. January 7th, public council meeting. Honorable council, commissioners, public servants, fellow taxpayers, residents, journalists, guests. Welcome to the 2025 organizational proceedings of the Clarksville Town Council. My name is A. D. Stonecypher, Clerk Treasurer. As the executive officer over the town's finances, records, and compliance, I am called upon the Indiana Code to act as presiding chairman over the town council until it elects one of its own as chair and president for the calendar year. At this time, according to precedent and tradition, I'll call for a prayerful invocation. If I may, Chief Skeg, would you mind uh leading us as such? Thank you, sir. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to have this time to meet as a community in light of the uh storms that we've uh been through. Thank you for allowing the emergency workers and uh the the public workers to clear our streets and make sure we stay safe and have power and and everything we need to exist. Um I ask that you watch over these uh council persons tonight as they make decisions for the best of our community. Um also let's not forget the uh the last year that we've been through where you kept us safe. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Thank you, Chief. And now if you would rise those that willing and able to uh for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. One nomination Liberty and Justice for all. As town clerk, I hereby confirm uh the town council is in quorum. I now turn to the business of appointing the town president for county year 2025. Since Clarksville's founding by General George Rogers Clark and its incorporation for the Treaty of Paris, all the way back in 1783. Many individuals have served as town president. The office is a ministry not to be taken lightly. President controls council's agenda, makes critical appointments to boards and commissions, and approves interagency agreements for the receiving of grant funding. President serves as head of town to point a way forward and is such models, expectations, and etiquette that can trickle down to residents and town employees alike. Honors of the office come with a burden of unwritten responsibilities, and any nominee should expect many hours between the meetings through one-on-one discussions, research, and meditation upon options. Office of town council president takes effect tonight and runs through the calendar year. With these matters in mind, it is now my privilege and duty to call upon the council to now nominate one of its members for town president. I'd like to nominate Brian Ramsey. Second that. Very good. Record show. Ms. Henderson has nominated Mr. Ramsey with a second. For Mr. Stotz, Mr. Ramsey is in the room. He is present. Do you accept the nomination? And do you wish to vote upon your own nomination? Okay. So an abstention upon yourself? Okay. All right. With that, I will do a roll call for the uh remaining council members. Uh Mr.