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, October work included: attending and watching Board of Commissioners public meetings, watching Noblesville and Cicero Town Council meetings, a County Council Work session, a joint session that included the Council and the Commissioners, a quarterly Cicero and County leadership update meeting, meeting with a constituent, and the Commissioners’ Director of Administration regarding downtown parking and attending a Strategic Planning Session for Hamilton County Tourism.
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The in-person October personnel committee meeting was canceled in lieu of what turned out to be several polls of the members.
- One poll required that we reconcile compensation adjustment recommendations from the Parks Board with council-approved cost of living pay adjustments. Annual COLA increases were approved for three senior parks leaders.
- A second poll approved the double slotting of a receptionist position in the Surveyor’s Office in preparation for a staff member’s retirement.
- The third poll was to give the Prosecutor’s Office approval to hire a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney above the basic-level compensation.
These types of requests are examined by the personnel committee and then voted on by the full County Council. If approved by a majority of the council they are implemented.
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The insurance committee met on Oct. 7 to review the 2026 Medicare Advantage Renewal for retired county employees. The county engages a consulting firm, NFP, to assist with the oversight of county benefit spend. They work as our advocate in shopping the market for benefits options and present us with a detailed analysis of county benefits performance and modifications as well as best practices for operational success.
The finance committee did not meet in October.
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In line with Indiana DLGF (Department of Local Government and Finance) rules, October included a final budget approval session on Oct. 13.
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This month I received six constituent service requests and communications. One request had to do with road construction vendor damage to mailboxes on 161st Street. Pictures showed what appeared to be dozens of splotches of a road surface mix splattered over the mailbox of a local couple in their 90s. Thinking this could be an easily solvable problem and with brushes and a soapy bucket of hot water in tow, let’s just say that the sticky muck won the day. Even though the mailbox looked better, it was still a mess.
I contacted the County Highway Department working backwards from the homeowner’s information on the road repair. It turns out that this is a City of Noblesville road in Hamilton County territory. (Yeah, I don’t quite understand how that happened either.). So, on to the mayor’s office I go with the pictures and backstory.
To their credit, Mayor Jensen and his team literally jumped into action the next day and resolved the matter with the vendor and the homeowner. I’m smiling writing this because it’s the way I think things are supposed to work: local government agencies working together to solve problems.
The attorney for the Town of Arcadia reached out asking for assistance in securing an appointment with their Economic Development Commission. We referred this on to the Volunteer Portal as well as council members to find a qualified candidate for this position.
I was contacted by two constituents regarding noise and safety issues associated with “burn out” events happening north on Creek Road. After researching local code, a meeting with County planning officials, law enforcement and several area neighbors was arranged to proactively address any future issues.
I received questions from two constituents regarding the County’s purchase of the parking lot east of Riverview Hospital and the shopping strip center west of the hospital. I explained that the purchase was part of a financial package to support Riverview Hospital.
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Noteworthy items from October include the final approval of the 2026 budget.
This month I began a series of feedback meetings with several department heads, elected officials, and seasoned experienced professionals from the county. In each of the seven meetings to date I asked each person, what can I do better, how can I improve as a councilman, what should I do more of, and what should I stop doing. Their feedback was constructive and helpful. I appreciate their willingness to be transparent and offer feedback.
Lastly, it was an honor to represent you at the Rely Center dedication ceremony.
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This is my timesheet. This is where my time went during October 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.