By KEN ALEXANDER
Council Minutes
The June County Council meeting arrived quickly. While lots of activity is happening in the background, as we plan for projects and prepare for budget hearings, the Council agenda was relatively benign. There were three topics worth discussing in the agenda.
The first was the annual review of compliance of the Beck’s real and personal property tax abatement. As shown in their documentation, Beck’s has more than met its commitment. These tax abatements are one way our county can support economic development. This support creates a contract with the corporate entity and obligates them to continue to grow and invest in Hamilton County by creating jobs and increasing property values through building.
The second item was a request from the County Commissioners to increase the mileage reimbursement rate by $0.10 per mile for employees who travel using their own vehicle. It has been stated that the current federal reimbursement rate ($0.585 per mile) is not covering the costs for the employee due to inflation. This may seem like a minor issue, but even the best-intentioned plan can lead to unintended consequences. The federal rate establishes a maximum so that employee and employer taxes are not circumvented. Any compensation more than the federal maximum will result in a tax liability for both the employer and the employee. After a few brief internal calls, everyone agreed that tabling this issue until the Council Finance and Personnel Committees can meet to discuss a solution that will not result in a tax liability issue was our best next step. We all want to support our employees and seek for the best options as we deal with the damage of inflation.
The third topic dealt with a grant appropriation to the Health Department to support schools and families in catching-up vaccination records that fell behind during COVID. This is not a county edict to solicit or apply vaccinations. A few people came to the meeting to provide comments about this item, and against the judgement of some on Council, we allowed them to voice their comments out of order. In essence, their concerns were not applicable to the County Council. We are a fiscal body that appropriates dollars. Decisions that establish executive or legislative action occur at the County Commissioners and internal discussions about what the health department does are handled by their Health Department Board. Both of these are public meetings and advertised.
In closing, enjoy the summer, visit a park or a farmer’s market, get outside, and get back to doing the things that make you happy. The last two summers have not allowed us to be as we once were. My personal belief is that the lack of human interaction has made mental health issues a more common issue. We need to get back to doing the things that make us happy and maybe turn off social media and focus back on the importance of human interaction.
If items mentioned above are of interest, please reach out to me or any member of the County Council. As always, I am thankful that the Hamilton County Reporter for publishing my Council updates and a special thanks to you, the readers, and residents of Hamilton County, for reading it and being engaged in the discussion. Our County is better because of you all. I welcome your questions at ken.alexander@hamiltoncounty.in.gov.
Ken Alexander is serving in his first term on the Hamilton County Council, representing District 4, which includes Adams and Washington townships, and part of Clay Township. He currently serves as the Vice President of the County Council.