Vanderburgh County Council Personnel & Finance Meeting - July 29, 2026

The Vanderburgh County Council Personnel & Finance Committee met on July 29, 2026, from 3:06 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. in Room 301 of the Civic Center Complex. All seven council members were present. The meeting focused on the financial impact of Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) funding cuts to the county's Community Corrections programs, particularly the Treatment Court, and considered several appropriation requests.

New Business: Financial Impact of IDOC 2027 Funding on Community Corrections

• Judge Wayne Trockman (Vanderburgh Superior Court) reported that in June 2026, IDOC fully defunded the Treatment Court, which had been operated since 2001. The program's annual budget is approximately $675,000 to $680,000, with about $330,000 previously coming from IDOC. Community Corrections includes three components: Treatment Court (intensive daily reporting), Work Release (therapeutically run for substance abuse), and Electronic Home Detention. The Treatment Court currently serves about 180 participants; Work Release serves about 140.
• A three-year independent evaluation by NPC Research (presented via a video by Dr. Shannon Carey) found that Treatment Court participants had 37% fewer felony rearrests, were less than half as likely to be reincarcerated, and saved $6,777 per participant over two years. Total savings for 170 participants exceeded $1.1 million, with every dollar invested returning $2.58 in criminal justice system savings alone. Extrapolating over 10 years, savings could exceed $16 million, and since inception, the program has saved over $68 million.
• Sheriff Noah Robinson stated that the jail construction project will increase capacity from 546 to 718 beds, but the current population (including outside-housed inmates) is about 681. If Treatment Court is defunded, even 100 additional inmates would require housing at outside facilities costing $45–$65 per day, totaling approximately $2 million annually. The Sheriff emphasized that the program is a cost-effective alternative to incarceration.
• Council members expressed strong support. Councilmember Raben noted that incarceration costs about $56 per day per inmate, and losing the program would quickly lead to severe overcrowding. Councilmember Iaccarino highlighted that the program reduces court system congestion and has a personal impact, citing a family member's success.
• President Montrastelle reported that State Representative Wendy McNamara has a meeting scheduled with Governor Braun in August to request reconsideration of the funding cut. The council discussed strategies to demonstrate state-level savings. Councilmember Shetler urged focusing on how the program saves the state money, not just the county.
• President Montrastelle stated the council would not let the program stop; if state funding is not restored, the county will find money within its budget to maintain operations. He will draft a letter signed by all council members supporting the program.
• Judge Trockman expressed embarrassment at having to ask for help but confirmed the program also saves IDOC $2.58 per dollar. He thanked the council for their support.

Appropriation Ordinance (Recommendations for August 12 Council Meeting)

The council reviewed and recommended approval of several appropriation requests, with a formal vote scheduled for the August 12 Council meeting:

• Surveyor: $3,930 for a step raise correction for an engineering technician (including FICA and PERF).
• Circuit Court: $62,000 for food and petit jurors.
• Public Defender: Councilmember Raben recommended reducing the requested $445,000 to $335,000 by utilizing a supplemental account to cover $30,000 in investigative services and $80,000 in pauper transcripts, saving the county $110,000.
• County Highway: $188,317 for two heavy equipment operators, accrued payments, garage/motor costs, and maintenance/repair (including boiler replacement). No representative was present; council noted the boiler has reached the end of its life.
• Riverboat / County Commissioners: $200,000 for utilities and legal services, described as a typical late-year request.
• Enhanced Access / County Recorder: $58,000 for contractual services.

Other Agenda Items Not Discussed

The following items were listed on the agenda but were not addressed during the meeting: all personnel requests (Circuit Court, Superior Court, Clerk, Public Defender, Community Corrections, Highway, Legal Aid, Health Department, etc.), transfers, and several new business items (Amended Parcel Number for SEZ Holdings, Resolution for Poet Square TIF payment, Ordinance for Old Farm Reserve bonds, Review of Property Tax Levy Limits). No public comments were made.

Key Outcomes

• The council unanimously supports continuing the Treatment Court program and will advocate with state officials for restored funding. County funds will be used if necessary.
• The appropriation requests are recommended for approval with modifications to the Public Defender request, to be voted on at the August 12 Council meeting.
• Upcoming meetings: August 12 (County Council at 8:30 a.m., Budget Hearings Day 1), August 13 (Budget Hearings Day 2), August 26 (City/County Joint Department Review at 3:00 p.m.), September 2 (Council Meeting and Budget Cuts). No Personnel & Finance meeting is scheduled in August.