Hamilton County Councilman Mark Hall’s May Timesheet

Welcome to The Timesheet. This column is a report of work done on behalf of the people of Hamilton County. It’s to be informative, too – a place to learn about projects and how our county government works.

As your employee, it’s important to me that you know what is being worked on as transparently as possible in county government. You hired me as your County Councilman, and my hope is that you will choose to be informed by regularly reading this column, getting involved, considering volunteering, and by asking questions.

Council meetings are at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month at the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center in downtown Noblesville. Meetings are also available to watch online for those unable to attend in person.

Here is where my time this past month has been spent.

In addition to the County Council public meetings, May work included: watching Board of Commissioners, Cicero Town Council, and Noblesville City Council public meetings, a Council Executive Session, a personnel committee meeting, a finance committee meeting, a Council and Commissioners work session regarding a potential new wheel tax, meeting with Cicero Town Council member Jacob Everett, meeting with Cicero resident Jordan Ballinger, attending the ribbon cutting for the State Road 37 and the 141^st street intersection, and a Health insurance renewal meeting.

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The May Personnel Committee meeting included requests from Judicial Administration, the Surveyor, and the Sheriff’s Office. Topics included specialty pay via a grant from the State Supreme Court to administer the Hamilton County Courts JDAI (Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative) services, the reclassification of a Project Engineering position that has been open for over a year to reflect a competitive market salary, and lastly a detailed presentation by Lt. Goff and Sgt. Foote from the Sherriff’s Office advocating for hourly pay for instruction and training officers in addition to their certification pay.

After analysis, discussion, and revision, the requests were sent to the entire council with favorable recommendations for approval.

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The Finance Committee met with four agenda items: the 2027 budget and its expected increases, Bakers Corner HCRUD Phase 3 at 7.8MM, Sheriff’s Pension Update, and the impact of the State Legislature changing the distribution of the Innkeepers Tax.

Takeaways include an expected 5 to 6 percent budget increase, better financial control over one department, the breakeven analysis of the utility district, and understanding that the pension is well funded and the tax policy change will not impact the county’s general fund.

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The insurance committee met with our consulting firm, NFP, to discuss the county’s renewal for 2027. Here are the primary takeaway points:

Healthcare costs are increasing on average 9.3 percent nationally this year. The general price increase for private plans is the middle teens headed into 2027. Healthcare costs are not lowering anytime soon. The county is looking at a 4.8 percent increase, provided council increases individual employee contribution by $5 and family contribution by $10.

The total 2027 expense is projected at $32.4M with costs to the County expected to be $1,181.33 for an individual and $3,130.22 for a family. We are evaluating TPA companies for additional cost savings opportunities.

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During May, I received 10 constituent service requests and communications.

One neighbor contacted several elected representatives regarding the Creek Road Camping and Burn Out Events. That information was passed along to the county legal department who have pursued legal action.

I was contacted by the Westfield Clerk Treasurer regarding the status of a MUST (Municipal Unit Strategic Taskforce) group for officials to negotiate and recommend how local income tax revenue should be used within the county. We have not yet formed a MUST group and don’t plan to at this point.

I had two neighbors ask about Cherry Tree Road, one regarding road repair and one regarding hanging wires from Comcast. Both were referred to the Highway Department for action.

I had a constituent ask about a county condemnation of a property along 136^th Street. Upon review, the property in question was a total loss due to a fire, leaving the property unsafe and susceptible to animals and the elements.

I had a citizen reach out asking to meet to discuss Cicero and Hamilton County government interaction and projects. He wanted to understand how he could get involved. We met for coffee, had a good conversation, and I encouraged him to check out the volunteer portal on the County Website.

I received a call from a citizen in Atlanta concerned about the state of disrepair of 296^th Street. After much research, the resolution for this issue is in process. The road tax revenue for that stretch of road is still being sent to Tipton County. As I write this, the Atlanta Town Council is working on a solution to share the responsibility for the road repair or take it over. Also, the same constituent expressed concerns over the rail intersection on Main Street in Atlanta. We contacted the Hoosier Port Authority, who has authority over the railroad at that intersection, as well as Mike Neal from GoRail to discuss grants for the repair. I have no further feedback from either potential solution.

Lastly, I was contacted by three Sheridan property owners asking that the county intervene and delay the opening of the new SKYLAKE waterpark. They cited incomplete storm water and drain issues. Many officials received these requests which were immediately sent to the Surveyor’s Office and the Drainage Board. The concerns were addressed by the Plan Review and Surveyor’s departments.

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Of special note this month was attending the Drug Court Graduation and the groundbreaking of the Judicial Center expansion. I’ve written about Drug Court before, but I just can’t emphasize enough how this program turns around families and saves the taxpayers money in the long run. Those who make it through the program are shining moments in time as your elected official. Not everyone makes it back and becomes a productive citizen. Clean, sober, and employed translates to thousands of dollars in taxpayer savings each year. Yes, these are feel-good moments, but they also prove to me that these programs can work. I see dozens of dots on the programs “in-process people” board representing those struggling to get their lives back and am so encouraged with each graduate’s story. The groundbreaking was noteworthy because it is the culmination of years’ worth of hard work. The population-driven addition of seven court rooms is only a part of this expansion, designed to accommodate the residents of Hamilton County for decades in the future.

It was an honor to represent you at the Crossings alternative High School graduation ceremony, at the Hamilton County Drug treatment Court Graduation, at the State Road 37 Ribbon cutting for 141^st street opening, and at the Crossroads Church Comedy event popcorn and punchlines.

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This is my timesheet. This is where my time went during May 2026. While my job is primarily the financial oversight of the county budget, it is important that I understand the Board of Commissioners’ priorities and balance them with the stewardship of taxpayer dollars. That is the job, and I am excited to do the people’s business.

As a taxpayer myself, and listening to so many of you, our employers, it’s important for the taxpayers to have access to all the information you want. I work for you, and although you may not choose to do a deep dive into what your County Council does, it’s important that you can always do so.

Feel free to contact me at (317) 832-1104 or mark.hall@hamiltoncounty.in.gov with questions, feedback, or if you would like to talk about county business.