Regular Session of the County Council of Huntington County, Indiana
October 13, 2025, Meeting Minutes
The Huntington County Council met in regular session on the 13th day of October 2025 in the G.A.R. Room, at the Huntington County Courthouse, Huntington, Indiana, at 7:00 P.M. for considering all business brought before it pursuant to notice given to the Plain Dealer on October 01, 2025.
Council Members Present: Kendall Mickley, Terry Miller, Shane Bickel, Jamie Hotchkiss, Keith Eller, John Stoeckley, and Brian Warpup.
Council President Kendall Mickley called the meeting to order. Terry Miller gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
There was a sign-up sheet available for anyone from the public who wanted to address the Council; however, no one signed up to speak.
ITEM 1
President Mickley asked for approval of the County Council minutes from the August 11 & 12, 2025 Council Meeting and Budget Hearings. Jamie Hotchkiss made a motion to approve the minutes. Terry Miller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 2
President Mickley asked for approval of the County Council minutes from the September 15, 2025 Budget Workshop. John Stoeckley made a motion to approve the minutes. Keith Eller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 3
Resolution 2025-10-13A for 2025 COMMITMENT NOT TO SPEND - General Fund, totaling $626,820.00 was presented for approval. Keith Eller made a motion to approve the Resolution. Terry Miller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 4
Christi McElhaney presented the 2026 Solid Waste budget totaling $490,547.00 as Resolution 2025-10-13B. John Stoeckley motioned to adopt RES #2025-10-13B. Brian Warpup seconded and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 5
Resolution 2025-10-13C was presented for the 2026 Huntington County Budget. The 2026 General Budget totaled $17,739,363.00 and the budgets for Special Funds totaled $14,544,057.00, for a total of $32,283,420.00. Keith Eller made a motion to adopt the 2026 Huntington County Budget. Terry Miller seconded and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 6
Deputy Director Thomas Fuller from Emergency Management requested to transfer $1,000.00 from the department's County General budget line 1000.44200.00000.0302 Radio Equipment to 1000.12000.00000.0302 Overtime.
Brian Warpup made a motion to approve the Transfer of Appropriation. John Stoeckley seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 7
Thomas also requested an Additional Appropriation of $5,000.00 in the NIPSCO Grant Fund for budget line 9125.31300.00000.0000 Education/Training.
Jamie Hotchkiss made a motion to approve the Additional Appropriation. Keith Eller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 8
Human Resource Director Stefanie Barrioz presented a request on behalf of the Commissioners to transfer $43,380.85 from their County General budget line 1000.34300.00000.0068 Workers Comp to 1000.12200.00000.0068 Retirement.
She also requested the following Transfers of Appropriation:
| Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1000.38540.00000.0068 Care IN State | $10,000.00 |
| 1000.34210.00000.0068 Bldg, Liability, etc. Insurance | $55,000.00 |
| 1000.36200.00000.0068 Service Contracts | $5,000.00 |
| TOTAL | $70,000.00 |
| Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1000.38525.00000.0068 Council On Aging | $10,000.00 |
| 1000.31100.00000.0068 Contract - Professionals | $60,000.00 |
| TOTAL | $70,000.00 |
President Mickley inquired whether the transfer for the budget line Contract-Professionals was to pay legal fees, and Stefanie responded affirmatively.
Brian Warpup made a motion to approve the Transfers of Appropriation. Jamie Hotchkiss seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 9
Stefanie also presented the Commissioner's request for a Transfer of Appropriation of $7,645.00 from the CEDIT Fund budget line 1112.35401.00000.0000 Project 6 - Discretionary to 1112.35110.00000.0000 Project 1 - HCUED.
Terry Miller made a motion to approve the transfer. Brian Warpup seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 10
Veterans Service Officer Tim Eckert requested a Transfer of Appropriation of $500.00 from the department's County General Fund budget line 1000.31300.00000.0012 Education/Training to 1000.21100.00000.0012 Office Supplies to purchase Space Force flags.
John Stoeckley made a motion to approve the transfer. Terry Miller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 11
Highway Superintendent Bridgett Burkhart requested an Additional Appropriation of $150,000.00 in the Local Road & Street Fund budget line 1169.36200.00000.0000 - Service Contracts.
Terry Miller made a motion to approve the Additional Appropriation. Brian Warpup seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 12
Bridgett also requested a Transfer of Appropriation of $111,942.34 from the MVH Restricted Fund budget line 1173.27515.00000.0531 - Asphalts to 1173.36200.00000.0531 - Service Contracts to cover the County's Share of the 2024 Community Crossing Matching Grant.
Brian Warpup made a motion to approve the transfer. John Stoeckley seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 13
Bridgett also requested Transfers of Appropriation totaling $4,500.00 in the MVH - Unrestricted MVH Fund, as follows:
| Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1176.45300.00000.0530 - Computer Software | $4,500.00 |
| TOTAL | $4,500.00 |
| Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1176.32100.00000.0530 - Postage | $100.00 |
| 1176.32300.00000.0530 - Telephone | $1,800.00 |
| 1176.12650.00000.0531 - Certification Pay | $2,500.00 |
| 1176.31400.00000.0533 - Floor Mat Service | $100.00 |
| TOTAL | $4,500.00 |
Jamie Hotchkiss made a motion to approve the transfers. Terry Miller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 14
Bridgett also requested a Transfer of Appropriation of $50,000.00 from the Cumulative Bridge Fund budget line 1135.49900.00000.0000 - Equipment to 1135.27500.00000.0000 - Materials to pay for bridge repairs.
Terry Miller made a motion to approve the transfer. Brian Warpup seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 15
Public Health Administrator Brian Trueblood requested a Transfer of Appropriation of $1,200.00 from the Health Fund budget line 1159.45302.00000.0610 - Computer Hardware to 1159.31100.00000.0610 - Contract - Professionals to pay for legal fees incurred for the County Attorney's review of new ordinances.
Brian Warpup made a motion to approve the transfer. John Stoeckley seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 16
Brian also requested a Transfer of Appropriation of $4,000.00 from the Health First Indiana budget line 1161.36200.00000.0000 - Service Contracts to 1161.31110.00000.0000 -Non-Contract Professionals.
Keith Eller made a motion to approve the transfer. Terry Miller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 17
Auditor Jill Landrum presented a request on behalf of Prosecutor Jeremy Nix for a Transfer of Appropriation of $275.00 from the department's County General Fund budget line 1000.21100.00000.0009 - Office Supplies to 1000.44100.00000.0009 - Equipment.
Brian Warpup made a motion to approve the transfer. Terry Miller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 18
Seth Kissinger, the Financial Data Analyst for Community Corrections, presented a request for Transfers of Appropriation totaling $6,200.00 from the 2024 SIM Grant Fund, as follows:
| Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| 8660.11178.00000.0000 - Release Specialist | $6,200.00 |
| TOTAL | $6,200.00 |
| Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| 8660.11125.00000.0000 - Court Support | $6,000.00 |
| 8660.12100.00000.0000 - Social Security | $200.00 |
| TOTAL | $6,200.00 |
Terry Miller made a motion to approve the transfers. Brian Warpup seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 19
Seth also presented the Community Corrections request for Transfers of Appropriation totaling $10,727.18 in the 2025 IDOC Grant - Supervision, as follows:
| Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| 9317.11108.00000.9613 - Field Officer | $6,742.92 |
| 9317.13020.00000.9613 - Office Manager | $3,984.26 |
| TOTAL | $10,727.18 |
| Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| 9317.11515.00000.9613 - Financial Data Analyst | $10,727.18 |
| TOTAL | $10,727.18 |
Terry Miller made a motion to approve the transfers. Brian Warpup seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 20
Seth presented another request for Community Corrections for Transfers of Appropriation totaling $27,370.61 in the 2025 IDOC Grant - Residential Work Release, as follows:
| Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| 9317.11111.00000.9633 - Coordinator | $348.39 |
| 9317.12100.00000.9633 - Social Security | $1,397.27 |
| 9317.12200.00000.9633 - Retirement | $1,945.58 |
| 9317.12300.00000.9633 - Group Insurance | $23,679.37 |
| TOTAL | $27,370.61 |
| Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| 9317.11239.00000.9633 - Transition Team Manager | $27,370.61 |
| TOTAL | $27,370.61 |
Jamie Hotchkiss made a motion to approve the transfers. Terry Miller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 21
Seth also presented a request for Transfers of Appropriation totaling $159,919.61 in the Community Corrections' Project Income Fund 1122, as follows:
| Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1122.11515.00000.9613 - Financial Data Analyst | $10,471.50 |
| 1122.12300.00000.9613 - Group Insurance | $149.248.11 |
| 1122.32500.00000.9613 - Travel Expense | $200.00 |
| TOTAL | $159,919.61 |
| Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1122.11120.00000.9613 - Part Time | $41,310.50 |
| 1122.11176.00000.9613 - Living Unit Coordinator | $69,216.00 |
| 1122.12100.00000.9613 - Social Security | $12,600.00 |
| 1122.12200.00000.9613 - Retirement | $21,593.11 |
| 1122.12600.00000.9613 - Holiday | $15,000.00 |
| 1122.34500.00000.9613 - Reimbursement | $200.00 |
| TOTAL | $159,919.61 |
Terry Miller made a motion to approve the transfers. Brian Warpup seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 22
ENCUMBRANCES for Council Approval - JDAI (Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative)
| Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| 9661.36202.00000.9653 - Misc. Services - Parenting Services | $240.00 |
| 9661.21100.00000.9653 - Office Supplies - Amazon | $155.00 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - Brooke Trice | $64.93 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - Jon Kramer | $167.20 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - Brooke Trice | $81.53 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - John Kramer | $28.82 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - Brooke Trice | $212.47 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - Jennifer Pyclik | $195.58 |
| 9661.21411.00000.9653 - Food - First Fed/Salsa Grille | $319.00 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - First Fed / Delta | $35.00 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - First Fed / Delta | $35.00 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - First Fed / Delta | $35.00 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - First Fed / Delta | $35.00 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - First Fed / Delta | $35.00 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - First Fed / Delta | $35.00 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - First Fed / Marriott | $755.40 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - First Fed / Marriott | $755.40 |
| 9661.32500.00000.9653 - Travel Expenses - First Fed / Marriott | $755.40 |
| 9661.22600.00000.9653 - Probation Incentives / Amazon | $49.86 |
| 9661.21500.00000.9653 - Supplies - Amazon | $1,524.83 |
| 9661.21500.00000.9653 - Supplies - First Fed/Sam's Club | $79.28 |
| 9661.21500.00000.9653 - Supplies - First Fed/Sam's Club | $1,576.23 |
| 9661.21500.00000.9653 - Supplies - First Fed/Sam's Club | $503.08 |
| 9661.21500.00000.9653 - Supplies - First Fed/Sam's Club | $2,595.09 |
| TOTAL | $10,269.40 |
Shane Bickel made a motion to approve the Encumbrances. Terry Miller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 23
There was discussion regarding proposed amendments to the 2025 Wage & Salary Ordinance for Community Corrections, as follows:
Amend the Ordinance to reflect the Release Specialist (#11178) position to be paid from Budget line 8661.11178.00000.0000 for the period 07/01/2025 - 09/29/2025.
Amend the Ordinance to reflect the Full time Living Unit Coordinator (#11176) positions be paid from the Project Income budget line 1122.11176.00000.9613 once the funding is depleted from the Community Catalyst Fund 8760.
Amend the Ordinance to reflect the Part time Living Unit Coordinator (#11120) positions be paid from the Project Income budget line 1122.11120.00000.9613 once the funding is depleted from the Community Catalyst Fund 8760.
Amend the Ordinance to reflect the Transition Team Manager (#11239) positions currently paid from the Community Catalyst Grant Fund 8760 will be paid from the IDOC Grant Fund budget line 9317.11239.00000.9633 once the funding is depleted from the Community Catalyst Grant. If funding is depleted from the IDOC Grant Fund before the end of 2025, then the positions will be paid from the Project Income budget line 1122.11239.00000.9613.
None of these amendments involve changing the wages of any employees.
ITEM 24
Terry Miller made a motion to open the 2025 Wage & Salary Ordinance. Keith Eller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 25
Shane Bickel made a motion to amend the 2025 Wage & Salary Ordinance for the Community Corrections positions, as presented. Terry Miller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 26
Jamie Hotchkiss made a motion to close the 2025 Wage & Salary Ordinance. Brian Warpup seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 27: NEW/OLD BUSINESS
There was no new or old business discussed.
ITEM 28: REPORTS & ORGANIZATION OF COUNCIL'S COMMITTEES for 2025
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS COMMITTEE - Terry Miller & Brian Warpup - There was no meeting last month. The next meeting will be on October 22, 2025. There will be an increase in user fees and they will discuss the possible participation from other counties.
SOLID WASTE - Brian Warpup indicated that the next meeting will be Monday, October 20, 2025.
3-A REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT - John Stoeckley shared that they had a presentation at the last meeting from SAS regarding the phases of site surveys.
JOB CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE - Keith Eller, John Stoeckley, & Brian Warpup - No recent meetings.
LOCAL ANTI-DRUG COALITION EFFORT (L.A.C.E.)/EARLY INTERVENTION TEAM - Shane Bickel share that past meetings included a tour of the Boys & Girls Club, and also presentations from groups requesting grant funding.
LIME CITY DEVELOPMENT - Terry Miller shared that they recognized Mark Wickersham's retirement and many years of service.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - Keith Eller - No meeting to report on.
PLAN COMMISSION - Terry Miller reported that the last meeting had one docket involving a building sites being split into two parcels of four acres each.
C.E.D.I.T. ADVISORY - Jamie Hotchkiss - Nothing to report.
HCUED - Kendall Mickley indicated that the next meeting will be October 14, 2025.
ABCD (Above & Beyond the Call of Duty) - Keith Eller - Nothing to report at this time.
TAX ABATEMENT REVIEW - John Stoeckley - No meeting to report on.
WHARMM - Jamie Hotchkiss reported that the last meeting was August 26, 2025, and they had a legislative update and discussed struggles of different communities.
COMMISSIONERS HEALTH INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE - Keith Eller - No meeting to report on.
EMS ADVISORY COUNCIL - Jamie Hotchkiss indicated that the next meeting will be November 13, 2025.
HCPSD COMMITTEE - Kendall Mickley reported that they met last month and discussed updating equipment to keep up with technology.
INTERNAL CONTROLS COMMITTEE - Kendall Mickley & Jill Landrum - Nothing to report.
REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (RDC) - Terry Miller & John Stoeckley - No meeting to report on.
MARKLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (EDC) - Brian Warpup - Nothing to report at this time.
ITEM 29
At 7:40 p.m., Keith Eller made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jamie Hotchkiss seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.