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.
The primary election season just ended, and campaign signs, television, radio, newspaper advertisements, emails, and texts inundated us for what felt like months on end. Personally, I don’t remember a primary election with more mailers than this one. I am grateful to just be doing the work and not have to campaign at the same time.
* * *
In addition to council and RDC meetings, April’s work included Finance and Personnel committee meetings. Many hours were invested researching and evaluating the Regional Development Commission’s public safety training center project, upcoming County Council projects, bond financing, county debt, and the impact of pledging county-certified shares for projects.
April’s personnel committee meeting dealt with several normal requests. Items included requests from the Sheriff and Auditor for position reclassifications and combining two positions into one. In other business, a position within Buildings and Grounds was reclassified as was one position within Human Resources. These changes were based on a thorough review internally and an outside review by the county’s independent benefits and compensation vendor. Lastly, authorization to hire a new leader for the Weights and Measures department was approved.
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 met and worked through detailed examinations of the county income, cash reserves, expected 2025 assessed values, and an initial look at expected 2025 expenses. The challenge ahead will continue to be balancing operating expenses with the cost of upcoming projects all while keeping our reserves strong and the tax rate one of the lowest in the state.
* * *
The Regional Development Commission met to review proposals received from vendors seeking to build the new Police and Fire Training Center. Serving as a member of the approval committee, we narrowed the proposals to two finalists and set a time to meet in person for vendor interviews.
In speaking with city elected officials we need to provide them with an initial operating expense budget for the training center by the end of July to allow them time to have budget allocations made for 2025 training center operating expenses.
* * *
In addition to the County Council public meetings, April work included attending a Council caucus session, a Regional Development Commission meeting, watching a Board of Commissioners public meeting, attending a Noblesville City Council meeting, and attending a Cicero Town Council meeting.
* * *
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. April’s first question was regarding Veterans benefits. Next, questions regarding property taxes, assessments, and deductions. Lastly, questions regarding a property tax credit in St. Joseph County.
A constituent needed assistance in securing their spouse’s veteran’s disability benefits. The resolution was to connect them with the right folks in the county’s Veteran’s Service Office. One of the most frequent questions I get is “why are my property taxes what they are?” The question is often accompanied by a couple of adjectives. The resolution is almost always the same process. Have you appealed your assessment? Did you know that you can appeal it? Next, have you received all the deductions that you qualify for? In this case, meeting with members of the Assessor’s and Auditor’s teams was the resolution to their question.
I showed the constituent that because they live in the Noblesville City tax district, 47 percent of their property tax bill goes directly to the schools, 41 percent goes to City Government, 10 percent to County Government, and the remainer to the Libraries and Solid Waste.
The third request was regarding a property tax relief program implemented in St. Joseph County. The research reveals that St. Joseph County is the first county in Indiana to implement a County Option Tax Credit. Authorized by the State Legislature, a county can implement a credit for up to three years. In this case, two options offer credits based on how long a resident has lived in the home, along with age and income restrictions. It is designed to limit the property tax liability increase to two percent annually for up to three years.
* * *
This month, it was an honor to represent you at the third annual Sherriff’s Chaplaincy Breakfast, and in meetings with Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen, Ivy Tech Chancellor Dr. Rachel Kartz, and with Noblesville Public Safety Director Chad Knecht.
* * *
This is my timesheet. This is where my time went during month 16. 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.