REGULAR SESSION OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY INDIANA
AUGUST 11 & 12, 2025 - BUSINESS MEETING & BUDGET HEARING MINUTES
The Huntington County Council met in regular session on the 11th day of August 2025, in the G.A.R. Room, at the Huntington County Courthouse, Huntington, Indiana, at 6:00 P.M. for considering all business brought before it pursuant to notice given to the Plain Dealer on July 30, 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 at 6:03 p.m. Terry Miller gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM 1
An opportunity for Public Comment was offered; however, no one chose to speak.
ITEM 2
President Mickley asked for approval of the County Council minutes from the July 21, 2025, meeting. John Stoeckley made a motion to approve the minutes. Jamie Hotchkiss seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 3
Kim Hostetler, Director of Community Development, requested a Transfer of Appropriation:
| From | To | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1000.31300.00000.0079 - Education/Training | 1000.32500.00000.0079 - Travel Expense | $700.00 |
Terry Miller made a motion to approve the transfer. Brian Warpup seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 4
Kim also requested another Transfer of Appropriation:
| From | To | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1000.31700.00000.0079 - Demolition | 1000.31100.00000.0079 - Contract Professional | $13,000.00 |
Terry Miller made a motion to approve the transfer. John Stoeckley seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 5
Public Health Administrator Brian Trueblood requested a Transfer of Appropriation:
| From | To | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1161.11520.00000.0000 - Public Health Nurse | 1161.31200.00000.0000 - Rent, Utilities & Maintenance | $2,000.00 |
Terry Miller made a motion to approve the transfer. Brian Warpup seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 6
Highway Superintendent Bridgett Burkhart requested an Additional Appropriation of $176,000.00 in MVH Fund 1176:
| Budget Line | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1176.22100.00000.0533 | Fuel | $110,000.00 |
| 1176.22101.00000.0533 | Diesel Fuel | $66,000.00 |
| Total | $176,000.00 | |
Shane Bickel made a motion to approve the Additional Appropriation. Terry Miller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 7
Bridgett also requested Transfers of Appropriation totaling $7,965.00 in the Highway (MVH) Unrestricted Fund 1176:
| From | To | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1176.11160.00000.0531 - Laborers $7,965.00 total |
1176.31300.00000.0530 - Educ/Training | $500.00 |
| 1176.32500.00000.0530 - Travel Expenses | $965.00 | |
| 1176.45400.00000.0530 - Furniture | $1,500.00 | |
| 1176.23100.00000.0533 - Tires | $5,000.00 | |
| Total | $7,965.00 | |
Keith Eller made a motion to approve the transfers. John Stoeckley seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 8
IT Director Joakim Abrahamsson requested a Transfer of Appropriation:
| From | To | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1000.32500.00000.0106 - Travel Expense | 1000.36200.00000.0106 - Service Contracts | $6,000.00 |
John Stoeckley made a motion to approve the transfer. Terry Miller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 9
Superior Court Judge Jennifer Newton presented Transfers of Appropriation totaling $9,500.00 in the 2025 Drug Court Grant:
| From | To | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 9605.12300.00000.9613 - Group Insurance $9,500.00 total |
9605.21900.00000.9613 - Drug Testing | $3,500.00 |
| 9605.22600.00000.9613 - Incentives | $1,000.00 | |
| 9605.32500.00000.9613 - Travel Expenses | $1,500.00 | |
| 9605.39800.00000.9613 - Misc Service Charges | $3,500.00 | |
| Total | $9,500.00 | |
Brian Warpup made a motion to approve the transfers. Keith Eller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 10
Discussion to amend the 2025 Wage & Salary Ordinance to reflect JDAI Co-Coordinators' pay:
| Position | Budget Line | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Co-Coordinator (1)* | 1000.11111.00000.0232 | $631.31 bi-weekly |
| Co-Coordinator (1)* | 2051.11111.00000.0000 | $157.77 bi-weekly |
| Total | $789.08 bi-weekly | |
| Co-Coordinator (2)** | 9668.11111.00000.9654 | $29.99 hourly |
ITEM 11
Shane Bickel made a motion to open the 2025 Wage & Salary Ordinance. Terry Miller seconded and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 12
Shane Bickel made a motion to amend the 2025 Wage & Salary Ordinance, as discussed. Brian Warpup seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 13
Brian Warpup made a motion to close the 2025 Wage & Salary Ordinance. Jamie Hotchkiss seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ITEM 14
Council reviewed the Estimated Property Tax Levy Limits and Estimated Reductions due to Circuit Breakers for each taxing unit. Terry Miller made a motion to approve the levy limits. Shane Bickel seconded, and the motion passed 7-0. Council members signed the documents.
Auditor Jill Landrum stated that she would distribute the signed statement and reports to each taxing unit.
ITEM 15
NEW/OLD BUSINESS: There was no new or old business discussed.
There were no Committee Reports given at the meeting.
The business meeting was completed, and Council transitioned into the Budget Hearings.
Solid Waste - Binding Reviews. Christi McElhaney presented a comparison sheet and budget request for Council to review. Christi stated that the Board approved a 3% increase which is $1,841.00 to divide between Scott and Christi's salaries.
2026 Budget Requests
Department Heads presented their 2026 Budget Requests to Council:
| Department | Special Funds | County General |
|---|---|---|
| Auditor | Auditors - Co. Elected Official Training — 1217 — ALL APPLICABLE DEPT | 1000-0002 |
| Recorder | Enhanced Access Fund — 1154; Identification Security Protection — 1160 (Not budgeting 2026); Recorder Perpetuation — 1189; Recorder - Elected Official Training — 1217 — ALL APPLICABLE DEPT | 1000-0004 |
| Surveyor | Surveyor Corner Perpetuation — 1202; Surveyors - Elected Official Training — 1217 — ALL APPLICABLE DEPT | 1000-0006 |
| Drainage Board | 1000-0063 | |
| Coroner | 1000-0007 | |
| Prosecutor | Prosecutor Forfeiture — 1234; Pre Trial Diversion — 2505; Infraction Deferral — 2506; Prosecutors PCA — 8099; Pros IV-D Incentive — 8897 | 1000-0009 |
| Co-Op | 1000-0011 | |
| County Assessor | Sales Disclosure — 1131; Reassessment — 1224 | 1000-0008 |
| Veterans Office | Veterans Recognition Donations — 4101 | 1000-0012 |
| Soil & Water | 4913 | |
| Commissioners | LIT Economic Development — 1112; Cumulative Courthouse — 1140; Redevelopment Commission — 4925; Pool Car — 4941; Motor Vehicle Highway — 1176; Cumulative Bridge — 1135; Local Road & Streets Fuel System Project 2025 — 1169 | 1000-0068; 1000-9676 |
| Community Development / Plan Commission | Unsafe Building Fund — 1207 | 1000-0079 |
| IT / Computer Dept. | 1000-0106 | |
| Superior Court | Supplemental Pub. Def Services — 1200; Jury Pay — 2507 | 1000-0201 |
| Circuit Court | 1000-0232 | |
| Probation | County Offender Transportation — 1220; Adult Probation Admin Fee — 2000; Superior Ct. Adult Probation Fee — 2002; Circuit Court Juvenile Probation — 2051; Supplemental Adult Probation — 2100; Drug Testing Probation — 2504 | 1000-0274 |
| Treasurer | Treasurer - Elected Official Training — 1217 — ALL APPLICABLE DEPT | 1000-0003 |
The Budget Hearings went into Recess at 8:12pm, and then began again on TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2025 @ 6pm.
Council Members Present: Kendall Mickley, Terry Miller, Shane Bickel, Jamie Hotchkiss, Keith Eller, John Stoeckley and Brian Warpup.
Budgets Presented to Council
| Department | Special Funds | County General |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk | Election & Registration; Clerk's Record Keeping Perpetuation — 1119; Clerks - Elected Official Training — 1217 — ALL APPLICABLE DEPT; Clerks 4-D Incentive — 8899 | 1000-0001; 1000-0104; 1000-9604 |
| Sheriff | Court Security; LIT Public Safety — 1170; Medical Care for Inmates — 1174; County Misdemeanant/Corrections — 1175; Sex & Violent Offender — 1192; LIT Correctional Rehab Facility — 1233; Sheriffs Law Education — 2503; K-9 — 4012; Sheriffs Bullet Proof Vest — 9131; Htgn. County Statewide E-911 — 1222; PSAP (DISPATCH) — 4020 | 1000-0005; 1000-0380; 1000-9607 |
| Health Dept. | 1159; Health First Indiana — 1161 | |
| County Operations - Facilities | 1000-9670; 1000-0161; 1000-9620 | |
| Emergency Management | Emergency Planning RTK — 1152; Civil Defense Donations — 4103 | 1000-0302; 1000-0308 |
| County Council | LIT Public Safety — 1170; Council - Elected Official Training — 1217 — ALL APPLICABLE DEPT; LIT-EMS — 1236 | 1000-0061 |
| Community Corrections | 1000-9634 |
Jaime Hotchkiss made a motion to adjourn the second night of Budget Hearings. Keith Eller seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
ADOPTED THIS 13th DAY OCTOBER OF 2025