Hamilton County Councilman Mark Hall’s July 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 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.

In addition to County Council public, finance committee, and personnel committee meetings, July work included, a public safety 2025 compensation meeting, a Board of Commissioners public meeting, two Cicero Town Council meetings, a Noblesville City Council meeting, a Wastewater Utility meeting with Cicero officials, a Jackson Township Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, a Human Resources review meeting, a 911 Communications Bond payment meeting, a Water Utility meeting with Cicero officials, and a meeting with Noblesville Mayor Jensen.

* * *

July’s in-person personnel committee meeting was replaced by a poll of members. We approved a request from the Sherriff’s Department to reclassify an existing position. 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.

* * *

July’s Finance Committee meeting included a review of internal policies and formalizing a minimum cash-on-hand policy as a control mechanism. This policy is one of many things that the county does to maintain our AAA bond rating. We were briefed on expected 2025 property tax revenue, 2024 earned interest to date as well as projected full year interest earnings. Big hat tip to our County Treasurer Susan Byer and her team for earning solid returns on taxpayer funds again this year. I continue to support using these earnings to enhance the county rainy-day fund as we did in the 2024 budget.

Other finance committee discussion topics included funding if needed, beyond the bonds already issued, for the police and fire training center, the impact on county finances of the potential Sheridan and Adams township reorganization, funding for a potential new parks office building, earnings rates versus debt service costs, anticipated 2025 payroll increases for county employees, and the correct mix of debt and cash spending on county projects.

* * *

I continue to struggle with the details of compensation for Corrections and Sheriff staff. Public safety is the primary job of local government. Finding the correct balance of compensation, benefits, and working conditions is challenging. The healthy tension and balance between stewardship of taxpayer dollars and impeccable public safety is on full display with every conversation on this topic. Getting this right requires such in-depth analysis, counsel and, in my case, prayer and reflection on decades of experience.

* * *

This month there were three taxpayer requests. Usually, requests require research with a county department, securing the correct answer and then following up with the taxpayer. July’s requests were all regarding zoning.

The first request was regarding a Jackson Township matter where a property owner had requested permission to locate a recycling transfer station within Jackson Township. Hamilton County planning and zoning had nothing to do with the request or any approval for this request. I referred the constituent to the correct local authority.

The other two requests were asking about the impact of the potential reorganization of Sheridan and Adams Township into a new legal entity. My position, which I explained to both taxpayers, is agnostic. However, I encouraged both to research the issue from three perspectives; Westfield and any desire that they might have to grow to the north, what does the Department of Local Government and Finance at the State write about the impact of reorganization, and what will be the impact on their local tax rates in the next five years. Both were encouraged to get facts, do their own independent research, and make an informed decision about what is best for them in their part of Hamilton County.

* * *

This month, it was an honor to represent you in the dunk tank at the Lights Over Morse Lake festival, at the dedication ceremony for the Hamilton County Firefighters memorial, at the Purdue Extension County fair opening day breakfast & Wagon tour, at the Hamilton County 4-H Queen Pageant, at the Lights Over Morse Queen pageant, and on an American Family Association interview.

* * *

This is my timesheet. This is where my time went during July 2024. This was an especially busy month, and we are headed into 2025 budget review. The Council budget book for 2025 is roughly 950 pages and weighs over five pounds. 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.