Clarksville Town Council Regular Meeting and Work Session - March 3, 2026

The Clarksville Town Council held a regular meeting followed by a work session on March 3, 2026. The regular meeting included appointments, public comments, consent agenda, unfinished business, new business items, reports, and council comments. The work session featured an update on the GovWell permitting software and a discussion of a tax abatement request for Premier Homes Classic Trust.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the February 17 regular meeting, work session, and executive session, claims of the town (current and pre-written, wastewater, bonds, grants, payroll), and acceptance of minutes from boards, commissions, and committees. Motion by Councilwoman Schiller, second by Councilwoman Henderson, passed unanimously 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sean Bostock (Country Club Road Court, Indiana) called for the start of the process to remove Town Manager Kevin Beatty, citing failures in communication, alleged blocking of open records, and lack of transparency regarding a deer hunt and other matters. He stated that he and others had been embargoed from sharing information about the hunt and that a drone survey of the deer population was arranged free of charge.
• Russ Horneman (Randolph Avenue, Clarksville) discussed deer population management, suggesting canopy thinning, edge creation, planting, and agricultural crops. He also addressed erosion at the boat ramp, proposing a hard boundary or a seawall. He referenced the Muscatatuck Wildlife Refuge estimate of 15–25 deer per square mile and noted that Origin Park’s 640 acres would support only about 10 deer.
• David Leisure (1012 West Francis Avenue) expressed skepticism about deer crop damage concerns, noting that the area floods every year or every other year, which would wash out crops.

Appointments

• Fire Chief Wilson recommended Tom Upton for the position of deputy chief; the council welcomed him without a formal vote.
• Amy Conrad Hill was appointed to the Arts Commission, filling the vacancy left by Tammy Wilson.

Unfinished Business

• Ordinance 2026-G07 (amending parking and vehicle regulations in the general and zoning codes) was approved on second reading by a vote of 6-1. The ordinance had been initially approved on February 17 with a 6-1 vote; the second reading was required.

New Business

• 7.1: PACO Manufacturing Tax Abatement Compliance (CF1) – Approved unanimously 7-0 for real estate and personal property tax year 2026, pay 2027.
• 7.2: Temporary Easements for Center Point Energy – Two temporary easements along Discovery Trail and Beechwood Park for a gas main installation, valued at $10,672. Approved unanimously 7-0.
• 7.3: Permanent Easement for Duke Energy – Discussion revealed council frustration with Origin Park’s lack of communication regarding the deer hunt and other matters. Councilman Munich expressed disappointment that Origin Park had not been a good neighbor. No motion was made, so the item died for lack of a motion.
• 7.4: Resolution 2026-R03 Adopting Clark County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan – Approved unanimously 7-0. Councilwoman Voiner asked about the town’s CRS score; Public Works Director Brad Cummings (watching remotely) reported the current score is 1180, which ranks as 8 out of 10 and helps reduce flood insurance premiums for residents on the river side of the levee.
• 7.5: Ordinance 2026-S01 Amending FY2026 Salary Ordinance for Firefighter Rank Allocation – The ordinance realigns ranks (Fire Marshal from 1 to 0, Captains from 9 to 1, Lieutenants from 2 to 3, Sergeants from 9 to 6, First Class Firefighters from 27 to 30). Fire Chief Wilson noted the changes are cost-saving and that the assistant fire marshal role is still being filled. Approved on first reading 7-0, then on second reading 7-0.

Reports

• Clerk Treasurer’s Report: The telecom audit has identified approximately $30,000 in annual savings by shutting down old lines. A new official public records request form has been implemented, available online and in person, to ensure fair treatment of all requesters. The annual financial report for the end of February was submitted to the State Board of Accounts and will be published on Gateway in about 30 days.
• Fire Chief Wilson: Asked the council and public to keep deployed service members in mind, noting that at least one department member is currently deployed.

Council Comments

• Councilwoman Voiner: Congratulated Tom Upton, thanked all town staff, and criticized Origin Park for being a poor neighbor, especially learning about the deer hunt from New Albany’s mayor. She expressed curiosity about how deer will be mitigated.
• Councilwoman Schiller: Congratulated Upton, thanked service members, and addressed the lack of communication about the deer hunt. She stated that while many constituents want action against the town manager, a knee-jerk reaction would be unwise, and she advocated for a leadership discussion to ensure due diligence.
• Councilman Munich: Noted that the town had no representation on Origin Park’s board (13–15 people) and that Town Manager Beatty, as liaison, did not inform the council. He hoped for changes to the board before Origin Park requests anything further.
• Councilwoman Henderson: Congratulated Upton, asked about the status of a pet store ordinance (Councilwoman Schiller replied that a rough draft exists but is awaiting more information from Mr. Sharp and input from Samantha Chapman). She also sent prayers for military members and jokingly requested new roads for several subdivisions.

Work Session – GovWell Permitting Software Update

• Kaylee Mulloy, Associate Planner, presented an update on the GovWell system, which replaced SmartGov. Key statistics: $776,000 collected through the system, 1,500 records created, 505 active community members, 6,000 sessions since August, 4 out of 5 satisfaction rating with a 38% response rate, and a median permit issuance time of approximately one work day. The help bar answers 41% of questions after hours. Future plans include a mobile app, additional permit modules, and improved report generation. The council praised the system.

Work Session – Tax Abatement Request for Premier Homes Classic Trust

• Tammy Gibson, Economic Development Director, and Dawn Brown, CFO of Premier Homes (Classic Trust), presented a request for a 10-year property tax abatement on a new warehouse building at 2709 Blackiston Mill Road. The abatement would start at 100% and decrease to 5% over 10 years, applying only to the new improvement. The property is not currently in an Economic Revitalization Area (ERA), so the council must first establish an ERA through a two-meeting process (preliminary resolution, public hearing, confirming resolution). The company plans to hire additional salespeople, a warehouse manager, and entry-level positions. Council asked questions about the ERA definition, the process, and the company’s reach (Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky). The item will return for formal action after the ERA process.

Key Outcomes

• All votes on the consent agenda, unfinished business, and new business items passed with overwhelming majorities (7-0 or 6-1).
• The Duke Energy permanent easement died due to lack of a motion.
• The council directed staff to proceed with establishing an ERA for the Premier Homes tax abatement, with a formal request expected at a future meeting.
• Council members expressed intent to discuss the town manager’s performance and the lack of communication from Origin Park in a future leadership session.