Vanderburgh County Council 2027 Budget Hearing Day 2 - August 13, 2026

The Vanderburgh County Council held the second day of its 2027 budget hearings on August 13, 2026, at 9:03 AM in room 301 of the Civic Center Complex. The meeting, presided over by Council President John Montrastelle, reviewed individual department budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year. Auditor Theresa Bassemier warned that the county faces a potential $5 million revenue loss and that total budget requests exceed last year's adopted budget by approximately $13.1 million, reaching $153,153,000.

Discussion Items

• Clerk, Election Office: Clerk Dottie Thomas presented a nearly flat budget with a 1% increase due to dues. The election budget decreases as it is a city election year. File transition for the clerk's office is about one-third complete.
• Voter Registration: James Powell reported a 4% decrease in budget.
• Recorder: Debbie Stucki, Chief Deputy Recorder, presented a flat budget. The office is self-sustaining and has spent about $273,000 from the Perpetuation Fund year-to-date to support the budget. A 180% increase in the Enhanced Access Fund is due to moving the Fidlar contract from the Perpetuation Fund to the Enhanced Access Fund.
• Treasurer: Brian Gerth presented a flat budget, zeroing out extra help. He noted strong investment income ($6 million last year, projected $5 million this year) and cautioned about upcoming revenue losses from business personal property tax changes and a new veterans exemption, which could add an additional $1 million in circuit breaker loss.
• Surveyor: Linda Freeman presented a flat budget with minor increases for step increases and insurance.
• Sheriff: Noah Robinson presented significant increases due to the new jail expansion. Data management increases 10%, motor vehicle budget increases 20% ($50,000) due to aging fleet (about 100 vehicles with high mileage). Out-of-county inmate housing is projected to decrease 93% because of the new jail. The sheriff requested $820,000 increase for Southwestern Behavioral Health services, funded through the Opioid Restricted Fund, to expand mental health and substance abuse treatment. The jail will add 172 beds, including 10 mental health suites, a 32-bed substance abuse unit, and a veterans unit. Correctional officer recruitment is progressing, but deputy recruitment is a challenge.
• Superior Court: Judge Robert Pigman presented a 1% decline due to reorganization (probation moved to Circuit Court). Juvenile Probation Supplemental shows a 100% increase due to state board fund number changes.
• Community Corrections: James Akin presented a 1% decrease in the user fee account. The LIT budget includes a placeholder $300,000 for a lost grant. Litter Clean-up is funded through Solid Waste and is reporting success.
• Drug and Alcohol Deferral Services: Megan Collins reported a 50% decrease in one line and flat otherwise. The DATS track (misdemeanor substance abuse) has increased 67% since 2024. The youth alcohol track has declined from thousands to about 90 per year.
• Circuit Court: Judge Ryan Hatfield reported an 8.7% increase in the Circuit Court fund, largely due to the probation merger (5 additional staff). Supplemental Adult Probation shows a 7.5% decrease. The court expansion from 1.5 to 3 courtrooms is speeding case processing.
• Public Defender: Steve Owens corrected errors in his request (travel and communications lines are flat).
• Prosecutor: Diana Moers requested 7 additional deputy prosecutors at a cost of $850,000, citing a study showing Vanderburgh County is the most understaffed prosecutor's office in the state (needing 57 attorneys, currently 20). She argued this would reduce jail overflow (currently about 100 inmates costing $3.5 million annually) and save money. Council members expressed support for the data-driven request and discussed potential funding sources, including the Opioid Restricted Fund (though ordinance currently restricts it to the Sheriff).
• Local Drug Free Community: Jeff Gregory presented a 9% decrease, funded by court fees, not general fund.
• Council Budget: Teri Lukeman presented the council budget, including a 15% placeholder for health insurance and increased contractual computer costs pending vendor selection.
• Auditor: Theresa Bassemier explained a 100% increase in the Real Estate Clerk line due to moving the position from the Plat Book Fund back to the General Fund. Ineligible Deductions fund is for recovering improper homestead exemptions. Jail bond and statewide 911 funds were also discussed.

Key Outcomes

• Total department requests for 2027 are $153,153,000, approximately $13.1 million over the 2026 adopted budget of $138,754,000.
• The meeting recessed at 11:18 AM. Budget cut deliberations are scheduled for September 2, 2026, at 3:30 PM, following the regular council meeting at 3:00 PM.