Common Council - Regular Meeting

of housekeeping streaming again and the YouTube channel is Salem City Hall at Salem City Hall. Uh so we will proceed now with our agenda. Uh we'll start with roll call. Dan, would you lead us? Dan Libkkey, Board of Public Works and Safety. Bo Zeller, Attorney. Justin Green, mayor. Sally Hadabo, city clerk treasurer. Warren Jones, board of public works and safety. We're all present and accounted for. So, we do meet a quorum requirement. So, please, if you will, board uh minutes of the prior meeting are on pages one and two.

I will make a motion to accept the minutes of August the 11th, 2025. I'll say Dan makes the motion. Warren seconds. All in favor say I. I.

Post same sign. Okay. Uh we are good there. I'll start in with the uh mayor's comments. Uh don't have a whole lot tonight. Uh just want to share with you as well as the council here in the next meeting a few items. uh wanted to share with you the progress from one of our um new employers that the redevelopment commission helped assist. Uh ENH Tubing has made some uh former announcements in occupying uh the former um child craft warehouse building on High Street. And so they have the U tubing mill installed and looking to uh get that tubing mill started and running and uh looking to hire and have employees uh within the month of October. So again uh that announcement has been released. I believe the media got that as well. So hopefully that's being shared and we're very thrilled that ENH tubing is becoming part of Salem and uh and how they grow and and succeed here with us is something we're all looking forward to. I want to share with you that the last on the brick series was baked on the bricks and we had a very good turnout that night. A lot of vendors came and sold their bake wares, pies, cookies, um the like and so we had a really good turnout, very good weather. Uh so we'll look forward to the next one that we put on. So look for those announcements coming and uh see what we can do next. Uh board. One thing I wanted to share with you was the BOAC project on their ready one grant. Um they had submitted uh the water line and um sewer line extension out to the terminal and Brandon and Jennifer uh oversaw some of those details. And so as that grant is closing, uh the contractor is is nearly done if not done with just a punch list of items. So uh that project again funded through the state uh through the

ready $1 that comes through the federal government. Um happy that we were a recipient of those and the BOAC being uh a benefactor in that. So it is nearly complete. Uh also want to talk about popppler real quick. Uh we've had a little bit of a slowdown there on that CCMG project. One of our um utility providers needed some more time to relocate one of those um items and so it's causing a little bit of a delay. Um overall the project's still on on schedule, but uh as soon as they get that worked out in um some of the rightway and where they want to uh be in that project, uh that should pick back up as far as construction. Uh lastly, hey, uh we got a a big September, September 20th to be exact, being one of the big days of the month. Um Salem Speedway is hosting. Uh that's an ARCAR race. Triap is doing beer on the bricks. Was proud to let them have their event. Chamber of Commerce is doing their Saturday on the square. Uh we have a bike crews in and a homecoming parade. So, uh hey, look, look at all your calendars, see all the events you want to attend. But hey, September 20th, we got a big day in Salem. So, those are just a few items I wanted to share with you. Uh, reports from departments, please. Uh, Brandon, if you'd come up, we'll have our wastewater plant update. So, we don't have a lot to talk about this month. Most of our month been dedicated to this televising of our sewers. Um through July and August, we did get 15,283 feet of sewer remains cammered. And uh that's a lot because that crawler goes pretty slow.

And And how many feet? 15,000. Yeah. 283. Wow. Okay.

So it's almost three miles we've came with that. Um we are still going to be working on that every second we get till the end of the year. Um on the 5th we uh replaced a tap at 108 Bruce Street. Um it was an old cast iron line that had rotted on the bottom and she was having issues. So we replaced 50 feet of that with new PVC. Um on the ETH uh one of the directional drilling companies uh hit one of the force mans. It was under the road but it was a force man that tied into our force man. It was for the Duke Duke lift station. We didn't even know it was there but they hit it and we had to dig it up and get that repaired. Um on the 12th we did our annual pre-treatment inspection for Kimbles. Um as always always looks fantastic there. Never have any issues. Um on the 19th we did have a small overflow at the plant. Um we have three mixed liquor pumps and three raw pumps coming in. Mixed liquor pumps it up the hill. One of those failed. So the three overwhelmed the two when the one went bad. Um we had Weslers come in. um Marco with Weslers's um credible guy and he changed the programming in there so if we have a mixed liquor pump fail it automatically shuts one of the other pumps down so it'll never do that again. So um we had a fail safe in there before but then they redid the pro redid the whole plant there and that was just missed. Um we got that taken care of now. It should never happen again. So, I'm happy to say that. And that was like within the next day or two. We had that resolved.

Yeah. And we've got the pump back and installed now. Good to go.

Uh on the 22nd, we installed a tap for 609 East Hackberry Street. They were sharing a tap with 611 and they had issues. So, they just ran a new line out. We connected them. So, the two houses are separated. Um the 27th we did a point repair at the Fairview trailer park. Um there was a bad point repair had been done in the past and it was allowing rain water into our sewer lines and uh so we did a point repair on that. Then we got done we concrete cap the whole line that goes through the dry creek bed. That way it's got a good layer of protection on it so it'll never get damaged or have any more issues again. And that's all I got. While you're there, um, Brandon, we also are, uh, working through our, um, IFA project on our manhole rehabilitation. And so, uh, that contractor is diligently working around town. Um, I guess it looks sporadic, but that's by design because uh, that that's by uh, priority list. Is that right?

Yes. Yep. Yep. They go from the high priority, which is red, to the next level down priority, which is yellow. But yeah, they're starting with all the red. So the it's kind of sporadic, but they're trying to hit the worst ones first. Yeah. Okay. Uh any questions of Brandon? Please. Okay. Thank you.

Okay. Uh water department, please. Jennifer. Hello. Um, all the monthly moni monitoring samples were analyzed and approved for the month of August. Uh, routine preventative maintenance was done on chemical pumps, clarifiers, towers, booster stations, Baston and Logan with uh, water service. They replaced an IP transducer for a filter valve and a routine inspection was performed on August 6th on overall the filter media which was flat and there was no evidence of shortcircuiting or mudballing and um we had the Lake John Hay was treated for algae on the 8th and we have a follow-up sampling scheduled for the first week of October.

So a lot of routine but also a lot of some proactive items there as well. Yes. And uh Okay. Um feel pretty good about where we're at. Yes. Yeah. And um the the temperature is starting to subside, so there's some good news. We might have a little bit into this week, but by and large, these 70s and 80s help. Absolutely. Any questions of Jennifer, please.

Okay. Um thank you. All right. Okay. Board, uh if you will, your utility adjustment, uh please go to page three and four. would seek motion to approve utility adjustment. I'll make a motion to approve.

Warren makes the motion to approve. I'll second that motion. Dan seconds. All in favor say I. I. I. Both. Same sign. Okay. Um unfinished old business, if you will. We uh had introduced the um names and um departments who are getting new hires and our police department and fire department board, if you recall last month, uh or two. And so tonight we want to recognize and introduce um an individual. We'll start with police. That just happens to be how it is on our agenda. Chief Mills, would you come forward and tell us who we're talking to?

Good afternoon. So this is Tacoma Browning. Um we're happy to have him on on board with us. Um He started already going through some of our 40-hour pre-basic training and completed that and was already scheduled to go to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in January. So, we left the ball rolling and I asked his dad to join us up here, Matt. He is the chief of police in Kthersville. So, um he's going to help with the swearing in ceremony with us.

Great. Well, Tacoma, uh on behalf of the board of works, please uh they'll they'll chime in as well. Glad to have you. We appreciate all of our policemen and and when we get a chance to have a new hire, uh we certainly want to welcome you and uh appreciate your interest in the city of Salem working with us and protecting us and serving us. So again, just just thanks. Glad glad you were understood. Uh Chief Mills is a great chief to work with. Obviously, you've got a good connection here with with your dad. uh uh you know in in a in a group of chiefs you know they're all uh very welllike minded and have the wellness of the city and obviously best intentions. So uh I know you come from good stock so we're glad to have you.

Thank you sir. I'm happy to be here. Yeah Eric I'll let you proceed and I'll stand with you. Okay the Raise your right hand. Repeat after me. All right. I, Tacoma, Brownie, I, Tacoma Brownie, do solemnly swear and affirm do solemnly swear and affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Indiana and the Constitution of the State of Indiana and that I will faithfully and impartially I will faithfully and impartially execute the duties of the office

execute the duties of the office of a Salem police officer of a Salem police officer according to law according to law and to the best of my ability and to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. [Applause]

Who wants photos more? As soon as he signs, we'll line up here on the bench.

Eric in the middle. All right. Okay, let's change gears. Um, Chief Day, please

tell us who you have. Nobody. Well, no. I'd like to say that we've completed our hiring list and we've got we're fully staffed at this point. Um John Burchham, he was hired uh last meeting. Um currently, unfortunately, tonight they are finishing up their firefighter 2 skills class, so they couldn't be here. Um at a later date, we'll go through some swearing ins and do some promotional type stuff, but we are full staff. Fortunately, the three guys that we just recently hired, due to all the retirements that we had had recently, all three of those guys were able to get into firefighter one and two class. So after tonight, they'll be fully certified. Great. And that's that's very important. So I'm glad it fell the way it did. Hey, we'll get them back in here another night. That's fine. Bet. Yeah.

Thank you very much. Thank you, Chief. Okay. Uh board, we'll move the agenda down then to new business. Um Sally, do we have anything that was omitted? Nothing that I'm aware of. Bo, do you have anything? No, sir.

Okay. Please, if you would, board, uh your utility payable voucher on pages 5 through 18. That's true. I'll make a motion to accept the utility payable voucher register claims.

Dan makes a motion to approve. I'll second. Tr seconds. All in favor say I. I. I. Post. Same sign. Okay. Uh now we'll move to miscellaneous uh cemetery walk. I believe Daniel has sent a very capable replacement. Please come forward. Daniel had to be in French like at the same time, so I took over. Um, so I'm here with um Washington County Theater just looking um to see if it would be okay for us to do our cemetery walk in Crown Hill Cemetery again this year. Um I see on the paper it says October 3rd and 4th. It would actually be September 26th and 27th.

I wondered when he told me. Yeah, that is incorrect. So 26th and 27th. Yes. of October. Uh of September. Of sep. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. So, uh Yeah. Okay. Friday, Saturday. Goodness. Okay. Um this has been a number of years the Washington County Theater has done this. Correct. Uh this is our 10th year. 10. This is 10. Okay. Okay. Yep. So, we're doing it a lot. Great. Chief Mills, real quick, do you have any uh knowledge of any issue, any worry? Uh everything goes pretty well. Is there anything you'd like to add?

Nope. It's a great event and sounds great. Okay, board. Any questions? I I think we're fine. They've been very respectful of the cemetery. So, thank you. And so, uh just need a motion to approve that date with those corrected 26th and 27th. I'll make a motion. Mr. Jones makes the motion to approve 26th and 27th of September for the cemetery walk. I'll second. All in favor say I. I. I. Post. Same sign. Okay. Yes, please. Thank you guys so much.

You know it. Uh next is uh a homecoming parade uh with the uh football boosters. They have asked again to do this. Uh last year was kind of new. Uh they had set up a route in and around Shelby Street, Homer Street, and back around Brady Shrum. Uh and doing a homecoming parade uh that day at 11:00 a.m. Um again, Chief Mills, uh I know last year I was a little new to us. Um I think it went okay. Are you again of a mind we we should allow this and be all right? I am. Yes.

Okay. Um board, uh I had got the flyer. They could not make tonight, but I do request that homecoming parade for September 20th at 11:00 am. I'll make a motion to proceed to the homecoming parade September 20th at 11:00 a.m. Dan makes the motion. I'll second. All in favor say I. I.

I post same sign. Okay. And one more. Um the annual Halloween parade uh brought to us by Nick Wyth at Titan Tent and Graphics. He has requested Saturday, October 11th for his planning purposes. That is at 700 p.m. October 11th. Um, a little earlier, but he had reasons to think a conflict might arise later in the month. So, uh, I'll ask Chief one more time. U October 11th, uh, 7 p.m. That would be a main street. He's not changing the route. So, um, from the Washington Center, uh, shopping center down, uh, South Maine. Uh, okay.

Yes, sir. Any thoughts, board? Fine. Okay. Please seek a motion. I'll make a motion to accept Halloween period. Motion made by Mr. Jones. I'll second that motion. Mr. Lipkkey second. All in favor say I. I. I. Oppos. Same sign. Okay, that takes care of a handful of miscellaneous. U Sally has the next one, please. This is a reminder that the October meeting is Tuesday, October the 14th rather than Monday, October 13th because that's Columbus Day and we're closed. So, the meeting is moved to Tuesday the 14th. Times are the change same. Yeah, just the date changed.

Okay. Uh please. So that reminder and um that takes us to the end of the agenda. Uh Bo, did we omit anything? No, sir. Danny, not to my knowledge. Truck? Nope. Sally. All right. Nobody signed it. Okay. With no comments signed up. Uh we have met the uh agenda. So we would seek motion to adjurnn. Make a motion for adjournment. We've adjourned at 5:21. uh common council will reconvene or actually convene then at 5:30. Thank you.

[Music] Okay, it is 5:30 on September 8th, uh, 2025. We will call the, uh, common council meeting to order. Uh, tonight we will start our meeting with invocation, uh, followed by the pledge. Uh Dan, Roger, everybody to stand.

All wise and merciful father that is in heaven, we thank you once again for this day and all the wonderful blessings of life. Lord, we're thankful for the people that are here in attendance tonight. Pray that the things we do here tonight will be in accordance to your holy and divine word and for the betterment of the city of Salem. Lord, we ask you forgive us of all of our many unforgiven sins that we have committed. And in the end, let us walk the streets of gold with you. These favors not others we ask in Christ's name. Amen. Please face the flag.

I pledge allegiance 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, Dan. Thank you, Roger. Um, couple of items of housekeeping. We are streaming. We are live. Uh, the Salem YouTube channel is Salem City Hall at Salem City Hall. So, uh, please are, uh, hello and salutations to our people watching at home. So, we will start a couple other items that are not on the agenda. Uh, Randy, glad to see you. Understand you had a couple of days rough. Um, hope that's passed you. I

hope. Yeah. and certainly uh keep Randy uh going and active and we want him healthy. Uh but on a sad note, we did lose a friend, Marita Jones passed, so we need need to keep that family in our prayers and thoughts and um understand that's a time hard to deal with. So anyways, um let's start the agenda, council, if we will. Uh roll call will be first. Dan Lipkkey, District 1. Dylan Moore, District 2. Bozeller, attorney, Justin Green, mayor. Sally had city clerk treasurer. Randy Lee, District 4. Roger Pennington at large.

Okay, we have four of five. Um, Diana is absent. So, we do have a quorum. We've met that requirement. Um, so please, um, Sally, we have advertised a public hearing, uh, at 5:30 today, September 8th, for issuance of general obligation bond. Um it is ordinance 2025-15. Uh so please we will open the public hearing. Is there anybody in the audience tonight to speak on behalf of issuance of general obligation bonds? Going once, twice, three times. Okay. Please. Um is there anybody in the audience to speak uh on the opposition of issuance of general obligations bond? Call for once, twice, three. Uh, hearing none. Okay. Council, please would seek motion close the public hearing.

Dylan makes the motion. I'll second that motion. Dan seconds. All in favor say I. I. I.

Post. Same sign. Okay. Uh, Sally, before us, uh, we have 2025-15 of a second read, and that's on pages 1 through 20. And so we have tonight with us Rudy financial representative Cole please if you'd come up and take the podium. Um, we had said last meeting we would have conversation certainly um and how the GO as we uh abbreviate general obligation bond GOB. Um, Colt tell us uh from a uh financial advisor standpoint uh what's a GO uh in a vanilla overview? um give us some history on on uh how it's applied, who who does these things and the history with Salem. Just kind of give us an overview if you would.

Yeah, absolutely. Um for those of you that haven't met me, I'm Cole Fosbrink with Ry Financial Group. Usually, I think Gary Smith might be the usual name and face you guys work with, but you got me tonight. Um you know, this go is a statewide standard practice for capital funding for local municipalities. It's, you know, with the state only allowing you to grow your levy by 4% on an annual basis, you need to find other ways to fund capital. This is truly statewide, all almost every municipality does this in order to fund the things they need while also keeping a level tax rate, which is how we've structured this for you guys for not only this 2025 issuance, but also for another issuance later in 2028 into the future for additional capital funding. And we've also saw that with 2026 assessed values recently that there was a considerable amount of growth about 15% or so and that can actually will cause the tax rates to drop for 2026 even. So with this issuance, you're not only going to get the funding that you guys need, but you also lower tax rates come 2026 and also set yourself up for the future capital funding that you'll need as well. That's kind of the synopsis of this issuance for you guys. tell us again um the city of Salem entered these discussions three plus years ago um and so that adoption was when in 20 I guess 22 is that right Sally

right okay so that's our history we we've done that and so it that tell us that those are termed in other words

yes so it's just the original thing was to kind of do a three-year rotating capital bond that you guys had started back then. Since then, Senate Bill One has happened. We've made a minor adjustment to the GOB terms where you'll have one issued this year, one issued 2028, kind of more heavy loaded on the front side and less on the back to kind of get around the new Senate Bill One changes that have happened with the cool down period for GOBS that are of a fiveyear term or less. Um, but this is something you guys have started and like I said, it's a standard practice to be on a rotating GOB issuance to help fund things you guys need.

And when you say um standard practice, certainly it's not cookie cutter, but this is not just municipal. This is um county level, school level, uh a taxing unit that has that authority. Okay. Absolutely.

Okay. And so um what Rey Financial has done um you you were able to in 2022 as well as this um projected GOB is to say look you city look at your capital expenditures this way and that negates draining or watering down maybe the general fund the the the uh uh budget of the uh general fund. And so um it it's kind of that marrying up, if you will, to make you whole.

It it's that gap. Is that a good way of saying it? You know, that that furthers uh keeping things level. Yep. This is a great way to keep the tax rate level and fund the things you need that otherwise wouldn't have had a funding source. So yes,

and and to your point and and SEA1 is something we we have been debating and and know that it's coming our way as well. Uh we certainly are cognizant of some oh lesser numbers in calendar year 27 and 28. And so um there's things we're going to have to navigate in the next few years, but this obviously is is focused on, hey, we got to think about uh adopting a budget for 2026 and what parts go into that budget. this being one of them. Um Bo, what can you add here? Uh please Cole's done a very good job uh giving us the high points. Is there something that you want to add from that side?

Yeah, I'll just provide a little uh insight on the legal process. Um so you you obviously already met um and had a reading. We noticed two public hearings. One which we uh just conducted. The next one up is the additional appropriation. Um, if uh both ordinances pass tonight, the next thing would be we would publish notice of preliminary determination to issue bonds in the newspaper, it's published twice. There are no more public hearings, but after that, uh, we would work on bond sale and bond closing if it passed.

Okay, Sally, it's your turn. Um, again going back in history, so from 2022 through this calendar year, um, can can you say, um, council, this is what I saw. This is how I viewed it working and and the and this kind of the overview of how that went. Oh, of course. There's things that we would never been able to have afforded if we hadn't had the GOB bond. there would have been um deficiencies, you know, that the city would have had that we couldn't have taken care of. So, yes. And and that plays uh in our favor because of our high circuit breaker rate.

Correct. And so, uh, again, uh, the folks at Rey Financial, Frost Brown, Todd have made comment, uh, about that over the years that, you know, uh, because we're already not receiving a fair amount, this is another, uh, gap, uh, if you will, and making that work. So, uh, okay. Please, um, council, do you have questions of Cole? Cole, I know it probably says in here, is this set up as a three or a fiveyear? It's actually a six year. six year. Okay. And so we won't revisit this as a board for a while. We do have the issuance planned in 2028. 28,

right? I'm sorry. But but the the overall window, I guess, what I'm trying to say is six. Okay. So, it's a six-year repayment. What's the re So, sixyear repayment. Yes. 1.5 1.25. 1.25 for this one. Yeah. And and um Councilman, ju just to clarify, you know, the bond ordinance says 1.5. Um that's just like a max parameter in case there's like unfor unforeseen costs that pop up. So that's the max that we That's the absolute max.

Yep. I forgot that, Roger. Yeah, sorry. Forgot that. Sally, any questions of Cole yourself? No. Okay. We worked with it for three years. So, yeah. All righty. Okay, Dan. Good. Randy, Roger, good. Anything else you want to add, Bo? No sir.

Okay. Um again, so now uh this is second read. Uh this is where now we do have uh action item. Uh so please Sally has um teed this up. Ordinance 2025-15 is the issuance of go general obligation bonds. This would be our next one. Uh as the city has done the first one before. Uh we seek motion to approve. Make a motion to accept ordinance 2025-15. I'll second. Dan makes the motion. Dylan seconds. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. I.

Okay. U Bo, please uh tell us in this instance. I think Sally and I have got those parameters uh before. Uh but just remind us in this scenario. Yeah. So, pursuant to 364-6-8 of the Indiana Code, um it only applies to third class cities, but the city executive um will presside at all meetings and may vote only in order to break a tie, which I believe we have here two and two.

Okay. Um Sally, then for your minutes, uh I vote I in favor. Um so, that will go then three, two, Okay. Um, please Cole, just just hang tight. Uh, we may have a follow-up question. Uh, public hearing, uh, advertised at 5:30 here in the council chambers uh, for general obligation bond additional appropriation. Uh, that's on page 21 through 23, ordinance 2025-16-16. Uh, is there anybody in the audience to speak on the additional appropriation? One, two, three. Is there anybody in the audience tonight to speak against the general obligation bond additional appropriation? One, two, three. Okay. Hearing none, uh, council would seek motion to close public hearing.

Make a motion to close public hearing. Dylan makes a motion. I'll second that motion and seconds. All in favor say I. I post same sign. Okay. Uh pages 21 through 23. Uh Bo Sally which who wants to take that? Sure I can. So um anytime you issue bonds uh particularly property tax bonds, you have to appropriate the proceeds. That's what this is. Um kind of standard additional appropriation process, public hearing um for bond proceeds. Fairly short ordinance. Okay. So that's kind of part and parcel if you will. Cole, anything to add to that? Nope.

Okay. Um, hearing that and knowing that certainly, uh, council must proceed. Ordinance 2025-16. Would seek motion to approve. I'll make a motion to approve ordinance 2025-16. Dylan makes a motion to approve. I'll second that motion. Dan second. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. I. Okay. Uh Bo, would you give the statute again? Yeah. Um pursuant Okay. You don't have it. Yeah. Pursuant to uh 364-6-8, um it only applies to third class cities, but the city executive will preside at the meetings and may only vote in order to break a tie again, which we have here.

Sally, for your record, I vote I in favor of 2025-16, giving you a three-to vote. Okay. Okay, please. Thank you, Cole. Thank you. Thank you guys. Nice to meet you.

Uh, grab a seat in case there's a followup that I forgot. Uh, goodness. Uh, we'll move on the agenda, please. Uh, public hearing, uh, 2026 budget. Uh, again, advertised uh, at 5:30 today in the council chambers here in city hall. Uh, would open that up. Is there anybody in the audience tonight speak on behalf of the advertised proposed 2026 budget? One, two, three. Okay. Is there anybody in the audience tonight to speak uh in opposition of the proposed 2026 budget? One, two, three. Okay. Hearing none. Uh council please would seek motion to close public hearing.

Make a motion to close public hearing. Roger makes a motion. I'll second. Gentle second. On f say I.

I post same sign. Okay. Uh before you um page 24 and 25. Um Sally has got you the um notice to taxpayers form. Uh and in that Sally tell us what we're looking at. We're looking at each fund that is required to have a budget set. Um, and this is one that is prepared with the help of Rey Financial. Um, there are very little increases in it. Um, except for u salaries and we did opt to do a 3% increase in salaries. Sally with that let's put a pin there and so with u forecasting that's that's a a big part of our jobs here council and you know that goodness uh but we need to make sure that what we do year in and year out is sustainable and I have preached that Sally's preached that uh Rey Financial has uh echoed that u our our legal uh help so you know things we do we have to sustain and we got to make sure they make sense uh and and moving forward because um obviously budgets are annual and so uh things do change. We all are are very familiar with u some of the tax credits that are coming that applied in the 26 uh revenue stream. And so in doing that read financial knew those numbers. Uh DLGF provided those numbers. U these have been vetted. Sally has double checked and so with that condition um there are two checks if you will two approvals that um this does look doable. This is more than looks it is doable uh at a 3%

and now that is excluding uh gang that's excluding us. So elected officials, no uh this is not uh the seven of us, but our u standard employee. Yes. Uh this is reflective and that's Sally's point. Uh otherwise this is pretty much a rinse and repeat budget. Is that right? Correct. Except for insurance and insurance always goes up. So yeah, and that's the environment that insurance does. So we're not too surprised there. Okay. I have one question there.

So, obviously we kind of know the discussion point that the county had last year about public safety and their raises and things like that. Um, you know, to they kind of left it as this year. They were kind of open in the air. Obviously, they're not finished with their budget hearings yet. We kind of don't know what what their side of the fence is going to look like as far as what public safety raises are going to look like and things like that. is public safety an item that we can bring back up in the future. Sally's right. I want to expand on Sally's um thought process. So when I say sustainable read financial the likes of Frostbound Frost Brown Todd knowing what our cut is on SEA1 those are things that I think we'll we'll need to really wait and see what the general assembly does in this session. Uh I don't have the crystal ball guys. I think there's going to be more property tax discussion happen. Does that mean there's some amendments? Does that mean there's some date changes? Those may be the reality of what happens in the general assembly in the 26th session. Dylan, to your point, I think it behooves us uh to be diligent and and let's see. Let's let's stomach the 3%. I think that makes sense today. Council ultimately your decision. I think that makes sense today and then you're right. if we have better understanding of what the session holds when they um um um recess and then we may have to look at what we're doing in 27 a little differently. Uh does that mean a changed? You bet. And so I I don't want to steal your thunder. I think you're on the right track thinking we need to be mindful that we're not necessarily done with our um benefit package, but I think this year we might need to take that wait and see approach.

Yeah, I agree with you on that for sure. But the only thing that we really really need to be mindful of is and we don't know what their their budget's going to look like. We don't we don't know. I mean, we know SCA1's going to hurt them as well as it's going to hurt us, but with their talks last year leading up to this year, there could be a big disparaging number between what we're paying our city police department, what the county's making, and that could open us up for a lot more of what's going to happen. Countyy's hiring. So, we need to be very, very, very mindful of that moving forward is all I'm trying to say. point to we don't know what what the county is going to do yet. We don't we they haven't finished their budgets. They haven't announced anything,

but from their previous talks. Well, the only thing I'll say is that the large pay increase didn't keep officers from leaving the county. I thought that was the I thought that was the cure. Just just throw more money. I mean, it's definitely helped. I mean, they're still, you know, they're still short. you know, if we get into the bidding war, we know we're never going to be able to compete. Very true. I mean, there has to be a point where we do what we can do. Uh, you know, we focus on our entire benefits package, as you just said, Mr. Mayor, which I think is

I mean, we know, and I'll say I mean, we we all know this, our insurance blows the county's insurance out of the water. Our retirement blows the counties out of the water, in my opinion. Um, so we have some some good strong benefits to hold on to that thing. That's not to say that we won't we won't entertain something for public safety at some point, but it's all based upon how much money that we have with, you know, but I I we just need to be mindful of it. Both both points are spot on. I I I think you both make excellent points that that we might even have discussion mid year in 26,

but I I I will agree with what Dylan said. I thought, didn't last year, didn't we make some salary adjustments in the middle of the year? We did. So, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, we did. We did. So, I think we did it last year. Means we would be able to do it again, I would think. I don't know how we would have skirted around that last year. agreed in or maybe we I don't know and this is to to to that point I think we need to we have we have set a precedent depends on what the fund has in it. Okay. Yeah. All right. Okay.

Okay. Please any questions to Cole uh on behalf of Rei? Any questions of Bo to Frost Brown Todd councils? Uh if not uh again this is Sally. We have a series uh this being first tonight. First tonight. Okay. So um would seek motion to approve 2026 budget as presented. I'll make a motion to accept the 2026 budget as presented. Dan makes the motion to approve. I'll second. Roger seconds. All in favor say I.

I. post same sign. Okay, Sally, we see this again September, October. October. Yes.

Mayor, I had one question as somebody who is charged to sit here and have to actually go over this budget. We have to approve it. I would ask that could we change the budget process next year to be in more in line with the counties and maybe have budget hearings. I would like to as an elected city councilman be able to sit in on some of these discussions that have been had because I, you know, this budget is presented to me tonight and I've I've not been involved in the budget process and I'm expected to vote on something which is very important. It's to keep city government alive and I've not talked to one department head. I've not talked to one supervisor. I have no idea what was if there were cuts, if there if there were any additions. Uh

I just would like to see the process changed if it's something that we could consider. I know it's never been done that way, but that doesn't mean that it can't be done that way. I I really like the way the county does theirs. uh where you know department head if you're a department head you come in you you you know you you you know present your budget you talk about things that that have worked well things that you might want to add and then as an elected councilman I can ask questions of that department head

well and you're right and uh you know that that door's always been open uh goodness I I've I've expressed that to all the council numerous times please uh you know we we have those conversations almost daily and so you're always welcome you know you're always welcome and I I uh invite you to come more often. Uh moving forward, you're right. In a budget that might change, uh these last two quite frankly have had very little. I know there's not been many, but I still think it would be uh I have no problem with that information. And again, so we can certainly look at a hybrid approach. I have no, guys, I have no qualms with that. You bet just something that I think we might consider next year if the council would would feel so inclined to do so.

And to your point, Mr. Pennington that that is u Roger Gosh again I don't want to be the the gloom and doom uh we've got to we've got to realize what we're dealing with and so as things are changing at the state and and you nailed it last meeting last month I mean we we've got some things that are being forced upon us and so this may be the time where we have to take a hybrid approach because I will just tell you I think Sally will have the task of moving some things out of common counsel I think she's going to have the task of refiguring public safety dollars. U and that that's going quite frankly get interesting.

Well said. Well said. Okay. Uh thank you. Oh, so we've got uh that'll be on the October agenda. Okay, council. We have uh got through our public hearing, so let's move to the agenda items. Please. Minutes of the last meeting are on pages 26 and 27. Can we do them both together or do you need separate motions? Your pleasure. I'll make a motion that we approve both of the presented minutes as presented. Roger makes a combination vote to approve. Randy seconds. All in favor say I. I.

Post. Same. Okay. Um we will move to the mayor's comments. Uh I shared with the board of works uh a couple of items and council want to share with you in in the same fashion. Uh ENH tubing uh had us do their uh local press release for the uh announcement and uh occupying the warehouse building of the chalkcraft location. And so uh in their announcement they have got the tube mill set up uh soon to be running uh steel pipe. uh they hope to have employees hired and actually start producing pipe in the month of October. So uh they are very excited. Uh the press release went out uh to all the appropriate agencies and certainly I hope you saw it. They're excited. Um I got to see the owner again out of Chicago and so just they just they're really happy to be here and look forward to uh making that a new home for them. So again, welcome ENH Tubing and uh let's support them and and have a good employer here. Uh shared with them uh at the board of works the baked on the bricks was the last on the brick activity. Uh we had several baked vendor items. So cookies, pies, breads and the like. And so we had great weather that night, large crowd, a lot of them sold out. And so uh that was a neat way to promote some of our local artisans. Uh, also want to talk about the BOAC, the board of aviation commissioners, and their ready one grant that they did receive. Uh, that grant's winding down. Sally has, uh, exhausted, I think now, all the funds that was awarded, and that was a, um, water and wastewater line extension down Beline Road to get to the terminal. And so, um, uh, as new as that house was, it's still on wellwater. And so, uh, any rate, that was a well needed project. um our friend John me uh sadly

uh John started that application and so uh we have taken over in his absence goodness but uh anyway so that is nearly done there's a punch list but that's a nice addition to the airport terminal uh popular street I just want to share with you real quick there's been a little slow down there waiting on a energy supplier one of our vendors one of our uh utility companies uh they are having some trouble with some conduit and laying some of that underneath in a um bore apparatus. So, they're back on the site figuring out what they want to do and change that up. So, as soon as they get done figuring out their needs, we'll get back uh with our crew uh and move on. Uh lastly, just say, hey, September 20th is a big night. If you heard, uh we have a couple of things. The homecoming parade during the day being one of them. Uh the chamber's doing their event during the day. Triap is that night. So, uh big night here in the city as well. Salem Speedway has ARCO. So, uh, hey, we're we're going to have a lot of activity. You can't be bored on that day. Okay. Please, let's get back to the agenda then. Um, reports from departments, the financial statement on page 29 through 35. Sally, what do you have to add?

Nothing. Okay. And 35. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Would seek motion to approve financial statement. So move. Roger makes the motion. I'll second that motion and second. All in favor say I. I.

Post. Same sign. Your senior center report page 36 and seven. Naomi has attached again. She has got plenty of activity. Uh unfinished and old. Uh you did see uh our welcoming of the two new hires. Uh, Chief Mills had his new hire in the border of works. Sorry if you missed it just slightly there. Uh, we had it mid meeting. U Tacoma Browning,

I have to think about the Tacoma is a very nice gentleman, young gentleman that has agreed to be new police officer and Chief Day. Oh, uh, John, yes, I want to say Josh. John Burcham. And so we've got those new hires we recognized at the border works. So, we welcome both those gentlemen. Uh, new business. I think we've covered uh what we needed to tonight. Uh, please then, council, if you'll take next the page 38 and 69 is your accounts payable of claims. Make a motion to accept the general accounts payable file to the register of claims.

Dan makes the motion to approve claims as presented. Second. Randy second. All in favor say I. I. Oppose. the same sign. Okay, next one is Sally's, please. Next meeting is should have been scheduled for October 13th, but that is Columbus Day, so we're closed. It's a holiday, so our meeting will be on Tuesday the 14th, same time, which is Tuesday the 14th. Okay. Uh lastly, uh we got another bump. Uh the girls softball could not make tonight, so October. October. I have one other item. Oh, please. Not to hold us up. Yeah. Uh,

since we're we're talking about budget deficits and lack of, you know, lack of revenue and and we know what the what the Senate House bill has done to us, I would like us to consider, and I know that this is being talked at at the state level. You probably have already heard these discussions, Mr. Mayor, about moving city elections to even number years. And I know that uh that will save us around I don't know I talked to Stephanie around 40. She said it's something that's very doable. Uh she actually was very you know supportive of the idea of us getting off of an odd year onto an even year.

Roger, you bring up a good point. Um General Assembly did make a provision now that to to your point, you're spot on. And it's um in a class 3 city there's certain guidelines um and and and certainly Frost Brown Todd would walk us through it and it's a process u and it would be all or um for us so all seven of us know so you know uh council uh you five and then the mayor and the clerk u the odd year is one of those things that um hit a lot of opposition. It actually hit um and and Mark and Bo could speak to this. It actually was a filed bill this year to actually permanently move city municipal elections. And I will tell you, funny enough, there was some mayors opposed it. And and it actually stopped short of being new law because of that provision though is still there.

Yeah. I think we have the ability to to create an ordinance that would allow us to do that. But I'm excited about the potential spike in voter turnout. You know, there's a lot of argument. You're right. I do. If you're if you're on the if city officers are on the same year as a sheriff's election, for example, or a county clerk or an auditor, um I think your turnout is going to be much much higher. And that's what we all want. Obviously, we want more people to participate as, you know, as we can get. And it's one less year of having to print ballots. I mean, there's a lot of there's a lot of things that make a lot of sense about it. Well, I'll add to it. You're right. Uh there's also some voter confusion.

You know, uh you you run that risk. We run that risk now of folks not knowing what cycle and it sometimes could eliminate some of that confusion. Um something that that I just thought about u it's worth investigating. Yeah. And you know when I called Stephanie I was kind of surprised but she was she was very supportive and said she didn't really understand why we hadn't done that before. Obviously she doesn't have a dog in the fight other than she would have one year where there would be no election. Uh which would that's going to save the county money for having it would save the city and the county money. Yes. U

well okay. Roger. and and nothing is level or flat that that price could even go up. So, you know, even from a planning and a budgetary standpoint, who knows? We might we might be costing ourselves more money down the road as well. And I know obviously time constraints would come into play now. But she said that as long as that decision was made before the filing dates in 2026, we would be okay. Yeah. Yeah. Which I know we don't have a full counsel here tonight and and I'm not asking for action tonight.

I but I think and we've had those discussions too. You're you're not wrong. And uh I don't know. Have Have you had Bo from a other clients? Uh this conversation is certainly not u special to Salem. Have any of them else from a municipal level talked about it? not not recently, but I imagine those conversations will come up as people start looking at their budget over the next few years with Senate Bill One as they start to see a clearer picture of dollars and cents, but uh there's not been any discussion with any of our clients on this yet. Now, to your point, General Sy may take it back up.

I I see nothing negative other than we're giving up a year. That's really it. But I don't think that's a negative. I think that's just what we do as public servants. We feel like that we can we can save money and not really affect anything in a negative way. Yeah. Yeah.

I know we don't want to take any action obviously because we don't have a full council here tonight, but would it be who of us to let Bo and Jake do some research on that and and get back to us at our October meeting and, you know, share what they have found and what our procedures would need to look like. We have an election lawyer up in Indianapolis that would likely work on this. Probably already knows the process. So, we could put together a timetable and checklist what that would look like if if that was desired. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Yeah.

Okay. Um if that's it, Sally, please would seek a motion to adjurnn. So moved. Gentle makes a motion 609.