County Council hears updates and discuss the Public Safety Tax
MARSHALL COUNTY — The County Council met for their regular meeting in April on Thursday, April 11.
The Council approved Ordinance 2024-14 Est. Purpose of Donation Fund for K-9 Program. Sherriff Matthew Hassel had discovered that the department had a K-9 Fund with money in it; but had not been officially established by ordinance.
Director of Marshall County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Jack Garner updated the Council with his quarterly report. Though Garner normally only appears before the Commissioners, he thought it would be beneficial to appear before the Council at least yearly. Since the Commissioners report, the Solar Eclipse took place. No visits to the Emergency Room were reported regarding injuries viewing the eclipse. He reported that there was no major implications in Marshall County in terms of congested traffic or other negative impacts resulting from the event. Garner also requested that the Council consider more support for local Fire and EMS departments as they are struggling financially; he doesn’t have much room in his current budget to offer additional support; he does explore grant opportunities but they are limited or non-existent at this time. Garner did not specifically advocate for an increased tax; but did ask for them to consider increasing support to those departments in whatever avenue they feel is best.
Marshall County Coroner John Grolich approached the Council regarding a .05% tax for public safety to be used for Fire and EMS. Previously the Commissioners sent a non-binding recommendation of support. Grolich prefaced his request by stating he is not approaching the Council as the Coroner’s Office and expressed gratitude for the support he has in his role. He addressed HB 1454 which was passed this year that provides for the creation of a public safety tax supporting Fire and EMS. “God knows that our Fire Departments and EMS agencies in our county need that support.” He added that the bill was buried in a DLGF bill that is more than 250 pages. If implemented, the tax would generate over $730,000 to use for Fire and EMS in Marshall County. He noted that legislators have gradually decreased income tax across the state which would offset the public safety Local Income Tax if implemented. Technology continues to create a burden of expense for Fire and EMS; the
money could also be used for a recruitment and retention program.
Councilman Tim Harman noted that the Jail Tax will expire in 2027 once the bond is paid off; the current .25% rate generates a much needed revenue to fund Jail Operations. Harman recommended a review of all these fiscal issues and assess possible solutions.
Councilwoman Nicole Cox recommended that an exploratory committee be formed to make an informed decision.
Councilman Jim Masterson emphasized a need to review the current LIT, the current and continued needs at the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, and consider the additional needs of Fire and EMS noting that all are important.
President Jesse Bohannon stated he will approach Commissioner Stan Klotz to collaborate a Committee to conduct a study to identify the challenges that the departments face, to set priorities among those challenges, to create a strategic and organizational plan, identify the costs, and identify the appropriate funding and distribution mechanisms because those are the questions that need answered before taxing people. Bohannon also wants to explore any assistance that can be provided by Redevelopment Commissions.
Grolich agreed to sit on the committee. Cox and Harman agreed to participate.
On Monday April 15th, during the Commissioners meeting, Klotz was approved to sit on the Committee.
The Council agreed that all emergency services are important to support; they want to find a way to accomplish that goal in a way that is fiscally responsible for all involved including the taxpayers.
The Council appointed Joe Allen of Union Township as the alternate on the Board of Zoning Appeals when the original appointee cannot attend the meeting.
Councilwoman Deb Johnson recommended that the Council consider their appointment to One Marshall County (OMC). Councilman Masterson and Councilwoman Cox recommended that the appointment be someone who is not a member of the Council to avoid any conflict of interest as they do vote on funding and OMC may be coming before them to request financial support for the board or for other initiatives. No appointment was made; appointees will be considered.
The Council approved a motion of support for a $10,000 donation to Purdue Extension; the amount of money that had been returned by Purdue Extension earlier this year. That funding will be used by the 4-H Council for the purchase of a new PA system on the grounds which hasn’t been updated for decades. The Commissioners approved a pre-pay of that funding back to Purdue Extension during their regular meeting on Monday, April 15; the Council will officially approve that appropriation during their regular meeting in May.
Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Chastity Keller approached the Council to thank them for their approval of the transfer of funds to keep the program going. She requested that they start to consider funding now for 2025 as the transfer of funds will not sustain the program next year. Keller informed the Council that open cases are the highest they have been in Marshall County since August of 2020; in March there were nine hotline reports. Bohannon expressed the desire to find a permanent and reliable funding solution but indicated he wants feedback from future judiciary who will be elected within the year.