Common Council - Regular Meeting

Last

[clears throat]

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[clears throat] Good evening and welcome to the Monday December 29th 2025 meeting Marshall Common Council meeting is why hereby called to order. At this time, I would like to invite Mike Ellis to come forward, lead us in tonight's invocation. And if then, if you would still remain standing for our pledge of allegiance.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. It is truly an honor. Uh and I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for this opportunity to open this very important meeting with prayer. And I also want to think of uh the Deckard family as a whole because they've been through a lot over the last five to six years. And so I just want to lift them up as well. So let us pray. Most precious heavenly father, Lord God, I cannot thank you enough for this opportunity to come here to this place in this hour to thank you so much for what this city does and what these people who have answered the call to serve others. Father, I want to lift up the Decard family as a whole because they have once again suffered loss. And I ask you to touch their hearts, touch their lives, change their hearts and strengthen their hearts where needed, but give them peace. And the only peace that you can give, Lord God, not what the world could give. Father, I ask you to enter into this chamber, to this place, to this place in this hour that you would guide these hearts of these men and women who gather together to conduct business for the town because it is important and it's very important that people come together are and are able to work together for the common goal. So, Father, I thank you for this opportunity. I thank you for these people here. I thank you for those in the gallery that take interest and come in here to listen and to observe and to perhaps even add to. So we give you honor, praise and glory in all things, Lord God in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Mike. At this time, Mr. Mer, would you please call the role? John Badger, present. Susie Lips, present. Ben Mayan, Josh Barren,

present. Ann Miller, Phil Deckard II, Phil Deckard, Senior, Counselor Phil R. Deckard, Senior, Counselor and former mayor, Philip Ray Deckard, Senior,

Councilman and former Mayor Decard has completed his earthly mission and he has gone home. Mayor, we do not have a quorum.

Thank you, Mr. Merida. At this time, I again on behalf of the city of Martinsville and residents want to extend our condolences to the Decard family. We will lift them up in our prayers and thoughts in the coming days. Also, in your packets, you receive the updated council meeting dates for 26 and the updated budget hearing. uh for the budget of 2027. The other comment I'll make tonight is again all city offices except emergency uh will be closed Thursday, January 1st for New Year's holiday. For those residents who normally have their trash picked up on Thursday, it will be picked up on Friday. Uh I had misstated that on the radio station last week. So again, uh if your trash is Thursday, it'll be Friday this week. And one other thing I would like to do before we leave this evening, Mr. Most of you maybe don't know Gary is retiring and let me just read this. Okay. Certificate of appreciation. In recognition of your outstanding service as the director of planning and engineering for the city of Martins, Indiana, we present this certificate to Kerry. Since January 1, 2020 through December 31st, 2025, you have demonstrated unwavering dedication, professional excellence, and a steadfast

commitment to the growth and wellbeing of our city. Your leadership has shaped the city's progress, strengthened its infrastructure, and and left a lasting impact on the citizens you serve. With deep appreciation for your six years of explanatory service, the city of Martinsville honors your achievements and extends its gratitude as you retire from public service. Thank you for your vision, integrity, and devotion to our city.

[applause] [laughter]

As there can be no other business conducted this evening, we are journed. Happy new year.