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Home My WebLink About8-11-2026 GC Council Meeting MinutesGibson County Council Regular Session Meeting August 11, 2026 at Southwest Annex Council members present: • President Jeremy Overton • Vice President Derek McGraw • Council Member Tom Perry • Council Member Jay Riley • Council Member Craig Schafer • Council Member Robert Schleter • Council Member Michael Stilwell Also present were: • Auditor Mike Watkins • lst Deputy of Auditor Kristy York • 2°d Deputy of Auditor Logan Vickers Pledge of Allegiance • The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. President Overton called the meeting to order. Approval of Minutes The Council approved the minutes from the regular July 14, 2026 meeting, budget request meeting, and the July 21,2026 budget meeting as written. Council Acknowledgements • Clerk's report April & June • Treasurer's report Department Reports Sheriff Department presented by Sheriff Vanoven • Deputy positions: fully staffed. • Corrections positions: four openings. • Communications positions: one opening. • Community Corrections positions: fully staffed. • There was an average jail population of 95 inmates. • Home detention program has 29 people. Health Department Presented by Administrator Ellsworth • The July report was presented to the Council. • The Health Department is actively working to purchase a new building with ARPA Funds. • They will be looking for a part-time School Liaison Nurse. • The Health Department will host a mental health walk again this year on September 16, 2026 at 6:00p.m. at the EMS building. The purpose of the walk is to raise awareness of suicide, overdose, and domestic violence. Purdue Extension presented by Director Paul • Director Paul told Council they had a great turnout for 4-H fair participation. She feels it is back to pre-COVID participation. They sent many projects to the State Fair. • They have been doing the Food is Medicine program again this year. • They are preparing for harvest in the agricultural world. • Purdue Extension is being restructured; they will keep everyone posted on this as changes occur. EMS Department presented by Arica Cole & AJ Alldredge • They presented their July Report to the Council. • They are fully staffed. • They are preparing for the new ambulance to be delivered soon. • EMS reported that it will begin working with a collection agency next week. Old Business Council President Overton temporarily turned the meeting over to Vice President McGraw while he addressed the live -streaming equipment. Jail Demolition Project Presented by Owners' Representative, George Ballard • The Council has a proposal in front of them to demolish the jail for $1.3 million. The Council will try and find the funding for this today. Wheel & Excise Tax — Presented by Engineer Holden • The deadline to establish a new wheel tax rate for 2027 is September 1, 2026. • Engineer Holden told Council that the State has reimbursed the County for the gas tax suspension that occurred in April and May. He hopes they will also receive reimbursement from the State for June and July gas tax suspension. • Engineer Holden would like to continue conversations about this wheel tax so they can enact a new tax rate in 2028. LIT Allocation Resolution 2026-08 — Public Hearing & Vote — Presented by Attorney Spindler • The Council has a resolution in front of them that has been advertised that will allocate LIT Public Safety Tax to the fire departments and fire protection districts that are not operated by or serve a political subdivision not otherwise entitled to receive a distribution of the public safety local income tax. • Council Member McGraw announced that the meeting was open for public comment; there were no public comments. • Auditor Watkins asked why Francisco Fire was excluded from the approved allocations. • Attorney Spindler asked the Council to table the resolution while he makes changes to the allocations that will include Francisco Fire. Council Member McGraw entertained a motion to close the public meeting. Council Member Riley made the motion, seconded by Council Member Schleter. The vote was 7-0. Council Member McGraw entertained a motion to table this item until later in the meeting. Council Member Riley made the motion, seconded by Council Member Schleter. The vote was 7-0. The Council returned to this item after discussion of the Superior Property Holders abatement request. • Attorney Spindler altered the resolution to also include Center Township/Francisco Fire. • Council Member McGraw read the new allocation amounts aloud from the altered Resolution. Council Member McGraw motioned to accept the Resolution 2026-08 as presented for LIT Public Safety Allocation, seconded by Council Member Riley. The vote was 7-0. Council Member Overton took the meeting back from Council Member McGraw. Salary Schedule Amendment #4 — Presented by Logan Vickers • This amendment is based on Prosecutor Cochran's presentation at the last meeting. • The Deputy Prosecutor was removed from the salary schedule, and that portion of the money will be redirected toward the IV-D Attorney. • Council Member McGraw made a motion to approve amendment #4 of the 2026 Salary Schedule, seconded by Council Member Riley. The vote was 7-0. New Business Superior Property Holders Abatement Request — Presented by Brian Szymanski of McGuire Sponsel and Matthew Nix/Jared Baehl of Nix Companies • Nix Company Representatives requested county support for a tax abatement related to a $2.5 million expansion project, which would include construction of an additional 20,000 or 22,000-square-foot building. • The proposed expansion would include demolition of an existing dilapidated building on the east side of the current building. Representatives stated that the expansion would support growth for a current long-term tenant, which operates 50 to 60 locations nationwide, including a facility on the east side of Evansville. The tenant repairs large electric motors and has highly skilled, high paying jobs. The Council will collaborate with the Assessor to evaluate this abatement request. TIF Funds Request made to RDC — Presented by Commissioner Lewis • An additional RDC funding request was made to support the new animal shelter building. • The request was for an amount not to exceed $200,200 based on availability of TIF funds. • This money will be controlled through Commissioners and RDC. Commissioners plan to make the building move -in ready by December 1, 2026. • Council Member McGraw asked who was running Animal Services. Commissioner Lewis feels that the County will hire a Director to do the policies and procedures. The County will assume control of the building including the utilities and maintenance. The County will work in conjunction with volunteer groups for animal care and additional fundraising support. The county wants to take the building out of their realm so they can focus on the animals. The County will do policies and procedures and volunteers will provide services. Commissioner Lewis explained the completion ratio that had been previously provided was overinflated. Commissioner Lewis is only providing this update; nothing more is required today. Proposed Toyota TIF Presentation — Presented by Matt Eckerle of Baker Tilly • Mr. Eckerle discussed the allocation area and how it can be used as collateral to finance upgrades. • The RDC established the allocation area last night with a confirmatory resolution. • The confirmatory resolution provides the tool to work with Toyota for the issuance of a bond to pay for the infrastructure needs, without obligating the County to capture the assessed value or issue debt. • Mr. Eckerle reviewed five different scenarios for establishing the TIF area with the Council. • It was also explained that when the original TIF expired in 2025 it threw a large amount of assessed value into the tax base, but the certified levy could not be raised more than 4% as the levy was only allowed to grow a certain percentage as determined by the State Budget Agency. 0 Baker Tilly has been working with Toyota to determine what the new allocation area will generate. • The debt piece was discussed while looking at revenue with three different assessed value captures. • Indiana TIF bonds have a maximum statutory life of twenty-five years. TIF allocation areas have a maximum statutory life of twenty-five years after the bonds close. • The TIF tool has flexibility and can be altered anytime to meet the financial objectives of the county to fund necessary infrastructure, while maximizing the benefits to overlapping taxing units and the taxpayers. • The real work will now begin to set up the appropriate structure to meet the goals. • The policy holders will take the votes to set up the formal structures as they see fit. • Council Member Schleter asked if the documents could be altered as they go into the future and see a need for change. • Modifications can be made with consensus of the group through a defined process. • Council Member Overton asked if additional revenues could be used for other projects. Mr. Eckerle advised this could be done with affirmative public action. Resolution 2026-07 Interest in 116 N. 8th Street, Princeton — Presented by Attorney Spindler • Resolution 2026-07 was presented to Council. The resolution expresses an interest in acquiring this property by the Health Department; the resolution also authorizes the appraisals. This purchase will be paid with mostly ARPA funds. HFI money will also contribute to the project. • The County will take possession of the building after the current owner has vacated the premises. Council Member McGraw motioned to approve Resolution 2026-07, seconded by Council Member Schleter. The vote was 7-0. 800 Radio Project — Presented by Sheriff Vanoven • The Sheriff would like to replace six Motorola radios that were purchased for Super Bowl 2012; there are no available upgrades for these radios. The radios will transition for use in the detention center. The new radios are GPS enabled. • They use cell towers to communicate anywhere in the US. • They are compatible with the department's body camera technology. • They will interpret thirty-seven different languages. • The cost is $62,526. • The Sheriff will do a slow integration of these radios. Council Member McGraw motioned to approve advertising for an additional appropriation in the amount of $62,526 from LIT Public Safety, seconded by Council Member Stilwell. The vote was 7-0. EAM Pole Replacement for New Siren System — Presented by Commissioner Lewis • The siren replacement project has found a faulty pole in need of replacement. Commissioners gave EMA Director McKinney permission to approach the Council for an additional appropriation of $14,000 for this pole replacement. • Council Member McGraw suggested we wait to see if this additional is needed, but pole replacement should move forward. If additional appropriation is required, action will be taken later. Additional Appropriations Resolution 1200 Supplemental PD Services 2502 Prosecutor Deferral User Fee 4015 Collection Agency Fees 4105 GC Safe Kids Donation 4905 GAL/CASA Superior Court 8115 HAVA 30107 Bldg Construct Reimbsmnt 40102 Office Machines 22000 Supplies 22000 Supplies 44101 Equipment 22000 Supplies $25,000.00 $10,805.00 $1,681.00 $3.00 $5,184.00 $2.00 4 Council Member McGraw motioned to approve the additional appropriation resolution, seconded by Council Member Riley. The vote was 7-0. Reduction in Appropriations Resolution 1130 Prisoner Reimbursement 22000 Supplies 1156 Firearms Training 1156 Firearms Training 1192 Sex And Violent Offender 1214 GAL/CASA Capacity Bldg 1214 GAL/CASA Capacity Bldg 1214 GAL/CASA Capacity Bldg 1214 GAL/CASA Capacity Bldg 1214 GAL/CASA Capacity Bldg 1214 GAL/CASA Capacity Bldg 1214 GAL/CASA Capacity Bldg 1214 GAL/CASA Capacity Bldg 2509 GC PSC (Prblm Slvng Crt) 2509 GC PSC (Prbhn Slvng Crt) 2509 GC PSC (Prbhn Slvng Crt) 2510 Sheriff CEU Fund 4009 County Corrections Fund 4009 County Corrections Fund 4009 County Corrections Fund 4009 County Corrections Fund 22000 Supplies 30101 Other Services & Charges 22000 Supplies 10401 FICA / Medicare 12303 Overtime 12500 PERF 31002 Volunteer Initial Training 31107 Volunteer Retention 31206 Volunteer Recruitment 31301 Mileage 32800 Advertising/Printing 11300 Part -Time 30802 Grant Expenses 31504 Travel, Training & Dues 33000 Training 11300 Part -Time 36003 Medical Contracts 36008 Dental Contract 36103 Level 6 Medical Expense (3,750.00) (17,500.00) (7,500.00) (25,000.00) (13,681.00) (306,00) (3,575.80) (568.00) (1,172.10) (1,500.00) (2,000.00) (3,763.33) (2,802.50) (15,687.73) (6,000.00) (1,000.00) (5,000.00) (12,000.00) (620.00) (50,000.00) (1,800.00) (5,000.00) (5,000.00 (61,800.00) 4012 K-9 22000 Supplies (1,500.00) 4012 K-9 30101 Other Services & Charges (4,175.00) (5,675.00) (138,213.73) Council Member McGraw motioned to approve the reduction in appropriation resolution, seconded by Council Member Riley. The vote was 7-0. Additional Appropriations - Request to Advertise 1169 LRS 36301 Road Equipment $50,000.00 Council Member McGraw motioned to approve advertisement of the additional appropriation, seconded by Council Member Perry. The vote was 7-0. 1170 LIT Public Safety 44209 Outdoor Warning Siren Equip $14,000.00 This request was not approved. 1112 EDIT 44104 Jail Project Constructions $1,300,000.00 Council Member Riley motioned to approve advertisement of the additional appropriation for old jail demolition, seconded by Council Member McGraw. The vote was 7-0. Transfers Requested 1000 General 0380 Jail 10201 Corrections Officers (10,000.00) T410 1000 General 0380 Jail 11300 Part -Time (3,000.00) T#10 1000 General 0380 Jail 11804 Dentist (1,000.00) T#10 1000 General 0380 Jail 12204 Shift Super (10,000.00) T#10 1000 General 0380 Jail 12303 Overtime 24,000.00 T#10 1000 General 05 Sheriff13900 Sergeant (5) T#1 l 1000 General 05 Sheriff 13400 UHP Part Time 30,000.00 T#11 1000 General 0380 Jail 10201 Corrections Officers T#13 1000 General 0380 Jail 12303 Overtime 20,000.00 T#13 1000 General 05 Sheriff13900 Sergeant (5) T#15 1000 General 05 Sheriff 11300 Part -Time 30,000.00 T#15 1000 General 0380 Jail 23700 Bedding Linen T#16 1000 General 0380 Jail 35101 Utilities 5,000.00 T#16 1222 Statewide 9-1-1 11002 Communication Officers T#12 1222 Statewide 9-1-1 11300 Part -Time 5,000.00 T#12 1222 Statewide 9-1-1 11002 Communication Officers T#14 1222 Statewide 9-1-1 12303 Overtime 5,000.00 T#14 4012 K-9 22000 Supplies T# 17 4012 K-9 30101 Other Services & Charges 252.61 T#17 Council Member Schleter motioned to approve these transfers, seconded by Council Member Perry. The vote was 7-0. Approval to Move Forward with Demolition of Old Jail • Owner's Representative Ballard asked if it was okay to pay Garmong, the Construction Manager of the old jail, as they have submitted an invoice. He also asked if it was okay to move forward with the demolition in September. The Council feels it is okay to move forward with demolition beginning in September. Council Member McGraw told him to turn the invoice in for Garmong. There was a motion to move forward with the demolition of the old jail, seconded by Council Member Stilwell. The vote was 7-0. Public Comment Larry Michel — wondered what was happening to the Economic Development funds that the County should be receiving from a solar project after an agreement had been approved at a May 11, 2021 meeting. He is also concerned that the numbers presented in today's meeting by Baker Tilly were very conservative. He wonders how they arrived at their numbers. Council Member Overton does not feel a new TIF district will create upward pressure on property tax rates. Adjournment Council Member Perry made a motion to adjourn. M. Minutes of August 11, 2026 Regular Meeting J my Overton, President Tom Perry, Council ber Craig Schafer, Council Member Michael° Stilwell, Council Member Attest: �/G. ,__� 2 Michael A. Watkins, Gibson County Auditor erek McGraw, Vice President I Z�6� Robert Schleter, Council Member \`%j%J11IIdlPd`B® ON C C�Jy ��ep I