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, consider 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, June work included: watching Board of Commissioners public meetings, attending one and watching one Noblesville Town Council meeting, projects update meeting with Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen, meeting with the President of Invest Hamilton County, Mike Thibideau, and meeting with Fishers City Councilwoman Selina Stoller.
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The June personnel committee meeting included reviewing and an approval recommendation for two double-slotting requests, one for the Surveyor’s Office and one for the Highway Department. This process allows the department to have a second person in a budgeted position for crossover training prior to someone departing or retiring. The job shadowing cooperative work, for a limited period of time, allows for a much easier transition of the new person into the shoes that they are filling.
Additionally, the personnel committee reviewed several reclassifications related to the retirement of the Commissioners’ Chief Administrative Officer. The Commissioners’ replacement was promoted from Hamilton County 911 Operations. The promotion created a domino effect of openings and promotions within Emergency Management and 911 Communications. We reviewed in detail all those changes and made recommendations for their approval to the full county council.
We had discussions about annual cost of living increases for staff and how best to approach these annual changes as well as giving department leaders the ability to hire experienced resources above the entry level for their position grade.
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The insurance committee met in June along with our benefits consultant NFP, the county personnel team, and with members of the Riverview Hospital team to do a detailed review of 2025 benefits usage, shock claims, program costs, and projected 2026 increases. The Insurance Committee is recommending a 3.5 percent increase in premium contribution from county employees.
Personally, I am very happy with the management of our plan, our cost containment processes, as well as the improving health of our users. Insurance, and health insurance specifically, represents tens of millions of dollars in annual investments. I pay very close attention to how we spend these dollars, how we protect county resources and the folks who work for us.
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The finance committee met in June; we were briefed on several projects.
Included in the meeting discussion was the additional scope of work at Seven Streams Park (formerly HC Farms), the plan design for the third floor of Community Corrections, and new IPADS, voting equipment and software upgrade for the election voting machines. All the requests were reviewed; however, the voting equipment and software updates were discussed in much depth. Given that the equipment is 25 years old, we agreed to review the request out of budget cycle. The lead time for securing equipment and upgrades forced the issue to get this item in front of the entire council for approval to secure delivery and installation prior to next year’s primary election.
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This month I received three constituent service requests and communications.
One set of communications was regarding the Strawtown roundabout. They wanted to know if we have any plans to expand that roundabout. After researching the roundabouts last construction project and speaking with the highway department, relayed back that there are no plans to make any expansion to that roundabout.
The second set of communications centered around the upcoming public meeting for a bridge project in White River Township. Specifically, the constituent wanted to know if the decision makers who determined the width of the ground acquisition for the project would attend the upcoming public meeting. Yes, the engineer and project leaders will attend the July 16 meeting at the Judicial Center in the Jury Assembly Room at 6 p.m.
Lastly, the third set of communications centered around the proposed Estridge development in Jackson Township. Their questions focused on Jackson Township reorganization, Cicero or Westfield annexation of property in Jackson Township, and the county’s interlocal agreement with the town of Cicero regarding the town’s request to manage 236th Street in the event Cicero annexes property to the west of the present town boundary. All the publicly available data that was requested was provided to the taxpayer. The agreement stipulates that Hamilton County will be responsible for 236th Street should Cicero annex to the west. Further, the Cicero Jackson Township Planning Commission has sent the project to the full Cicero Town Council with no recommendation (favorable or unfavorable). The upcoming Cicero Town Council meeting in August is when a decision is expected to be made.
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Finally, I had a follow-up meeting with Chief Deputy Prosecutor Josh Kocher and with the Honorable Judge Jon Brown. This was my follow-up meeting to review a prior month’s request from a constituent reporting that sentencing of offenders convicted of Burglary and Robbery was below state guidelines.
Here are three relevant points:
- Over 90 percent of the criminal cases in the county are resolved by plea agreements; very few go to trial.
- Each case is unique with different extenuating circumstances.
- Over 70 percent of the criminal cases have some form of addiction or drug component.
After a ninety-minute conversation, the consensus is that the communication back to the public and to law enforcement needs to be better. With no actual state-mandated guidelines in place, plea agreements vary based on the circumstances of each case, prior criminal history, addiction, and several other mitigating factors. I learned that it is not a perfect science, but when a case isn’t pled out, judges must apply the penalties to the crime in the best way possible given the specific circumstances of each case. They do consider state recommendations when a sentence is required.
It’s not an easy job and rarely do they arrive at a sentence that pleases both sides.
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Noteworthy items from June include continuing to work on possibilities to offset the costs of sewer system testing to opt out of connecting with the HCRUD sewer.
Also worth noting is the beginning of reviewing not-for-profit grant applications. I serve on the committee reviewing submissions asking for funding in 2026.
A major topic continues to be property tax reform – specifically, understanding the impacts of the reform passed by the state legislature along with planning for budget changes, new oversight, and local income tax reform, as well as the briefings on changes to authorities, tax revenues as well as when individual cities and units will have their own tax rates continue. Many of these changes happen immediately. Many of these changes will happen over time. It is critical that as a council we understand what this means to funding, budgeting and local government changes.
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It was an honor to represent you this month at the Bell Ford Bridge ribbon cutting in Geist Park, at the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce State of the County luncheon, and at the Noblesville Elks Lodge #576 125th anniversary dinner.
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This is my timesheet. This is where my time went during June 2025. 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.