Vanderburgh County Council Meeting and 2027 Budget Hearings (Day 1) - August 12, 2026

The Vanderburgh County Council convened on August 12, 2026, at 8:33 a.m. for their regular meeting, immediately followed by Day 1 of the 2027 budget hearings. The council approved routine personnel requests, appropriations, transfers, and several resolutions, including a TIF disbursement for Poet Square and first reading of an economic development bond for Old Farm Reserve. Public comment was heard from a local small business owner. During the budget hearings, 15 department heads presented 29 separate budgets, with notable discussions on postage costs, the Co-op Extension's 59% contractual services increase, highway equipment replacement needs, and the health department's grant-funded programs. The meeting adjourned with a recess until the next day's hearings.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: Approved minutes of the Council Personnel & Finance Meeting (June 24, 2026), County Council Meeting (July 1, 2026), and Council Personnel & Finance Meeting (July 29, 2026).
• Personnel Requests (Items A–G, I, J): Approved with the withdrawal of Item H (Health Department PT Medical Director) upon request of Health Department Administrator Joe Grease.
• Appropriations: Approved for Surveyor ($62,000), Circuit Court ($50,000), Public Defender ($335,000 — reduced from $445,000 by cutting transcript and transfer requests), County Highway ($188,317), Riverboat ($200,000), and Recorder ($58,000).
• Transfers: All transfers (Assessor, Commissioners, Circuit Court, Superior Court, Legal Aid, Cumulative Bridge, Surveyor Corner Perpetuation) approved as listed.
• Amendments to Salary Ordinance: Approved a four-page document of amendments.
• Property Tax Levy Limits: Approved sending a letter to taxing units recommending 2027 budgets remain under the 6.0% maximum levy growth, prioritizing operational obligations and exploring cost savings.
• MUST Appointment: Unanimously appointed former Auditor Brian Girth as the council's representative to the Municipal Unit Strategic Taskforce, which will review Local Income Tax rate allocations under SEA 1-2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sean Pepper (6109 Old Henderson Road): Described challenges reopening the historic Dogtown Tavern, including a $50,000 budget from the building commission, zoning restrictions limiting capacity to 55 customers, and difficulties meeting code requirements in a floodplain. He sought advice on pivoting to an event center or relocating the tavern. Council members recommended contacting the county commissioners, the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center (Art McDonald), and considering rezoning parts of his agricultural property for parking. Pepper expressed appreciation and planned to attend city council and building commission meetings.

Discussion Items

• Amended Parcel Number for SEZ Holdings/Polyram (CO.R-03-26-007): After initial absence of Patrick Hickey, the council approved the administrative correction to a previously passed resolution.
• Poet Square TIF Disbursement: Mike Schopmeyer (Redevelopment Commission legal counsel) presented an emergency resolution to release $250,000 in Ready One/Ready 2 federal COVID funds to Poet Square for a housing project completed under a tight deadline. The funds are available from the U.S. 41 TIF district. Council approved the resolution subject to appropriation from the correct TIF fund.
• Old Farm Reserve Economic Development Revenue Bonds (Ordinance CO.08-26-014): Developers Chip Allstatt and Ryan Lewis presented a $130–150 million mixed-use project on 110 acres off University Parkway, including 240 apartment units, ~70 single-family home lots, and 30 acres of commercial space. Brad Bingham (bond counsel) requested first reading. Council passed the ordinance 7-0 on first reading; second reading is scheduled for September 2, 2026.
• 2027 Budget Hearings (Day 1): The council reviewed 29 budgets from 15 departments. Key discussions included:
  • CIO (Vernon Luce): Proposed $5.5 million budget with a net 1% reduction if pending RFP cost is known. Highlighted $927,000 in savings from cybersecurity grants, licensing reductions, and printer consolidation.
  • Health Department (Joe Grease): $3.863 million county levy budget (flat). Expanded lead testing and new phlebotomist. Approximately 40–45% of staff are grant-funded. Pre-to-Three Medicaid fund includes $200,000 for a new electronic medical record system.
  • Assessor (Bill Flutie): Flat budget. Reduced staff from 43 to ~32 over 16 years. Sales disclosure fund used to relieve reassessment levy.
  • Area Plan (Ron London): $17,000 for a new scanner/plotter and computer replacement. Two zoning enforcement officers now dividing work by east/west of Highway 41.
  • Coroner (Brian Underwood): Budget reduced $23,000. New facility nearly complete; moving expected by end of month. Revenue from $300 reward fee has brought in over $10,000.
  • Commissioners (Laura — staff): Highlighted postage costs totaling ~$300,000/year, with $108,000 from Circuit Court and Clerk. Council discussed returning postage line items to individual department budgets.
  • Opioid Unrestricted: Unappropriated balance ~$41,000. Council expressed desire to stop earmarking funds for external organizations and use only for emergency county needs.
  • Co-op Extension (Megan Solomon): Requested a 59% increase ($62,000 to $98,000) in contractual services due to Purdue's new population-based funding model. Council asked for detailed justification and raised concerns about city not contributing despite serving city residents.
  • Burdette Park (Zach Watham): $50,000 increase for linen contract, streaming TV upgrade, security deputy, and supply costs. Reported record 80,000 pool visitors, $65,000 additional revenue, and $93,781 in season pass sales.
  • County Highway (Jeff Byers & John Stall): Asked for modest increase in operating budget. Discussed need for new paver ($300,000), roller, distributor truck (35 years old), and five dump trucks (20+ years old). Bingham Road bridge projects funded with federal grants.
  • National Events Plaza (Scott Schoenike): VenueWorks has managed for 10 months; operating loss reduced by $600,000 (33%). Focus on increasing sales.
  • Explore Evansville (Tom — director): $2.48 million budget, $21,000 under revenue. Highlighted 15% increase in Louisville visitors for Fall Festival, social media growth (830,000 followers), 52,000 room nights booked toward 65,000 goal, and new naming rights sponsorship up 115%.

Key Outcomes

• Personnel Requests (A–G, I, J): Approved (motion by Kiefer, seconded).
• Appropriations: All approved with specific adjustments for Public Defender ($335,000).
• Transfers: All approved.
• Amended Parcel Resolution: Approved.
• Poet Square TIF Resolution: Approved subject to correct fund appropriation.
• Old Farm Reserve Bond Ordinance: First reading passed 7-0 (roll call: Yaccarino, Shetler, Kiefer, Bassemier, Raben, Hahn, Montrastelle all aye). Second reading set for September 2.
• Property Tax Levy Letter: Approved.
• MUST Representative: Brian Girth appointed.
• Salary Ordinance Amendments: Approved.
• 2027 Budget Hearings (Day 1): Concluded; 29 budgets reviewed. Day 2 scheduled for August 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
• Adjournment: Council meeting adjourned; budget hearing recessed.