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Home My WebLink About4-14-2026 GC Council Meeting MinutesGibson County Council Regular Session Meeting April 14, 2026 at Southwest Annex Council members present: • President Jeremy Overton • Vice President Derek McGraw (absent) • Council Member Jay Riley • Council Member Craig Schafer • Council Member Robert Schleter • Council Member Michael Stilwell • Council Member Hannah Whitehead Also, present were: • Auditor Mike Watkins • 2nd Deputy Auditor Logan Vickers Pledge of Allegiance • The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Approval of Minutes • The Council approved of the minutes as written from the March 10" regular meeting. Acknowledgements • Clerk's report • Treasurer's report Redevelopment Commission — Presented by Attorney McDonald • Presented the Annual Report Council President Overton acknowledged receipt of the 2025 TIF annual report. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Sheriff Department presented by Sheriff Vanoven • The staffing report was provided to the Council. • There was an average jail population of 102 inmates. • The Department of Corrections annual report was provided to the Council. EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Presented by AJ Aldredge • EMS provided an operations report. • The new ambulance should deliver a bit early and arrive in May. • Department of Homeland Security will bring a training simulation lab on May 81h. Redevelopment Commission Update presented by Councilman Schleter • Baker Tilly provided the RDC with scenarios regarding the formation of the new TIF district. • They had a large turnout for the meeting. • No action was taken on the proposed, new TIF district. • They also learned the progress of the I-69 sewer upgrade project. OLD BUSINESS Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Jail Demolition Project Presented by Owners' Representative, George Ballard • Last Friday, a meeting was held regarding the demolition plan. Garmong (lead agency) and Three I Engineering were both present. Wheel & Excise Tax — Presented by Commissioner Lewis • Governor Braun has suspended the state sales tax on gas. • The effect will impact the motor vehicle highway distribution. • Commissioner Lewis feels the county will have to consider raising the wheel/excise tax. • Commissioner Lewis suggested a new rate be phased in, rather than a large hike at one time. NEW BUSINESS Request to Hire a Part -Time Employee — Presented by Veteran's Service Director Pickersgill • Due to new legislation affecting Veterans, he is requesting a part-time employee to help register all veterans for their disability deductions. • This new process will not begin until July I" and must be completed before December 31St • Director Pickersgill is requesting an additional appropriation of $10,800 for the part-time employee at a rate of $16 per hour. • When the part-time employee is not working with Veteran deductions, they can assist in digitizing records. • This position will be evaluated each year in budget discussions to determine if there is a need for this employee. Council Member Riley motioned to approve advertising $10,800 for an additional appropriation in the general fund, seconded by Council Member Schleter. The vote was 6-0. Prosecutor's Personnel — Presented by Prosecutor Cochren • Prosecutor Cochren requests an additional Administrative Assistant in his office due to the high number of cases and the fact that he has someone on an emergency FMLA. • He would like to fund this position from the Deferral User Fee Fund 2502. • A transfer will be made to appropriate this line, until the additional employee is approved by Commissioners and if needed additional appropriations. Councilman Riley motioned to approve a $4,000 transfer in fund 2502 from series one to series three to cover the cost of the new employee contingent upon the Commissioners approval, seconded by Council Member Stilwell. The vote was 6-0. Councilman Stilwell motioned to approve the advertisement of an additional appropriation of $60,000 in fund 2502, pending Commissioners approval of the new employee, seconded by Councilman Riley. The vote was 6-0. Prosecutor Cochran will be added to the next agenda. Bruce McIntosh • Mr. McIntosh was the past Council appointee to RDC. • He thanked the Council for this past appointment. • He went on to express the importance of this TIF money. He explained the money was used for roads and many other important improvements. • He recommended that the Council write a letter to the Redevelopment Commission to let them know how they feel about the formation of the TIF proposal, as this will impact the vote from the RDC. Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 He urged the Council to consider their RDC future appointments and what area of the county they will represent. He does not feel the north section of the county is very well represented. Councilman Overton feels there is a lot of misinformation being circulated about this proposed new TIF district. Additional Appropriations Resolution Fund Name/Number: General Fund 1000 10000 Personal Services $3,000 30000 Other Services/Charges $10,000 Fund Name/Number: Health Fund 1159 10000 Personal Services $11,800 Fund Name/Number: LIT Public Safety Fund 1170 40000 Capital Outlays $35,000 Fund Name/Number: Supplemental Public Defender Fund 1200 10000 Personal Services $55,000 Fund Name/Number: GAL/CASA Matching Grant Fund 1213 10000 Personal Services $3,318 30000 Other Services/Charges $10,296 Fund Name/Number: LIT Correctional Facility Fund 1233 10000 Personal Services $6,500 Fund Name/Number: EMA Donations Fund 4101 30000 Other Services/Charges $999 Fund Name/Number: Auditor's Property Endorsement Fund 4901 30000 Other Services/Charges $18,000 Councilman Riley motioned to approve the additional appropriation resolution, seconded by Councilman Schleter. The vote was 6-0. Additional Appropriations - Request to Advertise 1000-11300-0012 General Veteran's Service Officer Part-time $10,800 See the above excerpt on Request to Hire a Part -Time Employee in Vet's Services. 2502-11700 Prosecutor's Deferral User Fee Fund Administrative Assist $60,000 See the above excerpt on Prosecutor's Personnel. Public Comment Larry Michel • Mr. Michel spoke about the proposed TIF district. He is not in favor of the County approving a new TIF district, and feels the resolution is too vague. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member Schleter. Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 3 Minutes from April 14" regular meeting. v Je,fZmy Overton, President J Riley Council Mein er 4,13"It"I �Y Robert Schleter, Council Member Derek McGraw, Vice -President 'g Schafer, until Member Al Michael Sti! wel , Council Member Hannah Whitehead, Council Member F11®p1P0fBAA SO Attest: Michael A. Watkins, Gibson County Auditor SEA:z = '�sAAA� I AN Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026