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 government. You hired me as your County Councilman, and my hope is that you’ll choose to be informed by regularly reading this column, getting involved, and by asking questions. Council meetings are at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month at the 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.
Spring is in the air, the trees are budding, and potholes are being filled – let the road construction begin! Between federal, state, county, and city road projects, getting around Hamilton County for the next few months is going to be like me trying to lose weight: slow and frustrating.
March’s work included investing time in County Finance reviews and research, The Regional Development Commission, the Hamilton County Humane Society, Hamilton County Tourism, and deep dives into upcoming and proposed projects for both the full council as well as the RDC.
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March’s personnel committee meeting was canceled. Normally, personnel requests are voted on as they occur, first, in the personnel committee and then at the next regular council meeting using a recommendation from the committee. The finance committee did not meet. We are scheduled for an update meeting in April. The challenge ahead will continue to be balancing the expense of upcoming projects while keeping our reserves strong.
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The Regional Development Commission approved moving ahead with the new Police and Fire Training Center this month. We selected a vendor to provide an estimate of operational costs so proper budgeting can occur.
My sense is that we will need to fund the first year’s operating costs before each agency using the center is able to begin to contribute to the operational overhead from their 2025 budgets. Westfield is contributing the use of the facilities ground while all the remaining large police and fire departments in the county will contribute pro-rata from their individual department budgets to offset the operational costs of the facility.
We are planning a top-of-the-line training center that will have few rivals in the Midwest. Expectations are high, with many of our public safety officials anxious to implement comprehensive training and interdepartmental cross training programs. The meeting room was full of public safety professionals in a show of support for the new facility.
Based on preliminary estimates, this will require a $20 million investment to build. A request for quote participation has already been made public. Additionally, there could be public safety income tax dollars used to help with the investment and the remaining amount will be bonded. The bond will be paid with revenue from an RDC TIF district.
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This month included a work session review of proposals from the Hamilton County Humane Society and Hamilton County Tourism. The Humane Society is in a tough position and location. As a no-kill shelter located within minutes of Marion County, often animals are surrendered intentionally or dropped off at a nearby park.
The volume of animals cared for continues to increase. With operations costs increasing, we worked through an updated financial model to help. As the number of loose animals also increases, the impact to the public increases.
We arrived at a solution for the county and suggested that the same solution be implemented in the other public safety jurisdictions that bring animals to the shelter for care and housing.
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Hamilton County Tourism proposed a new fiscal management process for the innkeeper’s tax revenue. The council welcomed and reviewed the idea; then, after much discussion with tourism staff, decided to take the idea under advisement and consult with our attorney and with the treasurer.
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In addition to the County Council public meetings, March’s work included attending a Council work session, a Regional Development Commission meeting, a combined Cicero and county officials meeting, watching a Board of Commissioners public meeting, attending a Noblesville City Council meeting, doing a patrol ride-along with the Sherriff, and attending a Cicero Town council meeting.
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This month there were three constituents service requests. Usually, requests require research with a county department, securing the correct answer and then following up with the taxpayer.
March’s first question was regarding Economic Development in Hamilton County. Next, a proposal to build tiny homes on private ground for the homeless in our area. Lastly were questions regarding the County’s 2023 commitment of ARPA funds to assist Cicero’s town council with the cost of updating their wastewater treatment plant.
A constituent expressed interest in any economic incentives that might be available to build senior, veteran, or affordable housing in Adams and Jackson Townships. The resolution was to connect them with the right folks in Hamilton County Planning, Hamilton County Economic development and with the Cicero Planning and Economic Development teams.
The tiny house concept is not something new; however, this constituent was concerned about government expectations and zoning considerations if tiny houses were allowed to be built on donated rural farm ground. After a thorough reading of his business plan, a quick check of zoning and how the process could work satisfied the request.
Lastly, I worked with the county attorney and three ARPA committee members to coordinate members of the Cicero town council to appear at the next public ARPA committee meeting to address any confusion with the request.
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This month, it was an honor to represent you at the Interfaith Summit, at the DRIVE Indy servant Leadership speaking series, in a ride-along with Sheriff Quakenbush, and in meetings with Police Chief Mann of Noblesville and with Police Chief Gebhart of Fishers.
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This is my timesheet. This is where my time went during month 15. There are many projects in the queue for 2024, and while my job is primarily the financial oversight of the county budget, it is important to 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.