Council opposes

Don’t take away a funding source without providing a way to replace it.

That was the message delivered on Monday.

Portland City Council passed a resolution opposing Indiana Senate Bill 1 and any other legislation that reduces funding to local government units without offering an alternative revenue stream.

Addressing changes made earlier Monday to Indiana Senate Bill 1, which addresses tax policy and a variety of other issues, Portland clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips said it is not looking good for cities and towns.

“This is essentially advertised by the governor as property tax relief,” said council member Dave Golden. “But the downside of it is, it quite frankly reduces services. In other words, we as a city will lose money.”

Golden also referenced the impact on school corporations.

He asked Phillips for details about the projected impact of Senate Bill 1, if it is approved.

Phillips said the initial version of the bill called for a reduction in funding for the city of $150,000 in 2026, $300,000 in 2027 and almost $400,000 in 2028. But the updated version of the bill that cleared its House committee Monday on a partisan split — all Republicans in favor, all Democrats against — does not yet have details on a projected impact. (The state’s Legislative Services Agency does not provide an analysis on amendments to bills until they are approved.)

“They haven’t even given any estimates,” Phillips said. “That’s how new it is.”

Council president Kent McClung said he understands state lawmakers’ desire to be fiscally conservative as costs rise, “but then how are we going to keep paying for the goods and services that have increased …”

Council member Matt Goldsworthy said he has expressed concern to fellow Republicans at the state level regarding the legislation.

“I’m just trying to get them to make me understand where do we get it back from,” he said of the projected lost revenue. “And I’m not getting good answers.”

He noted the importance of the things taxes pay for, such as police, firefighters and roads and expressed concern for the smaller municipalities in the county.

Former mayor and current chair of Jay County Democrats Randy Geesaman addressed the issue, urging residents to contact State Reps. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) and Matt Lehman (R-Berne) as well as State Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle), the author of the original bill, to express their concerns.

“The State of Indiana is really wanting to look like we’re one of the best tax states in the country, at the expense of local government,” he said, adding that it will be local officials who look like the “bad guys” when they vote to increase local option income tax (LOIT) in an attempt to replace lost property tax revenue.

Council members Michele Brewster, Mike Aker, Ashley Hilfiker, Ron May, McClung, Goldsworthy and Golden voted unanimously in favor of the resolution, prepared by the Association of Indiana Municipalities, to “oppose any tax policy that impacts local units of government that does not come with a corresponding replacement revenue stream implemented by the State of Indiana.”

Council also returned to a discussion that started at its last meeting regarding the city’s transfer policy regarding police officer Jagg Nunez, who returned to the department in December. Mayor Jeff Westlake said he’s consulted attorneys and other mayors and indicated he wants to involve the city’s board of works in the process. 

“So you’re wanting to go around us, is what you’re saying,” Hilfiker said. She added that if there is going to be a change, it should be for all employees.

Goldsworthy pointed out that the mayor sits on the board of works and appoints its other two members. Phillips added that the current transfer policy was approved by both the board of works and the council.

A back-and-forth ensued, with Westlake continuing to say he wants the board of works involved, Goldsworthy calling out the board of works for not having details of Nunez’s compensation package in place before hiring him, Portland Police Chief Dustin Mock refusing to speak on the issue and Aker questioning the mayor for not following city ordinances.

Goldsworthy then suggested that the council table the issue in order to be able to consult with city attorney Wes Schemenaur, who was not in attendance. Council supported his motion unanimously.

Also, May asked about the stop signs that were installed last week and removed a day later on Votaw Street at its intersection with Williams Street and the south entrance to Walmart. He asked if the signs would be put back.

As was reported in Saturday’s edition of The Commercial Review, INDOT said the signs were installed last week “in error prior to placement of appropriate pavement markings and advance message boards.” They are planned to be installed again on or after Monday, April 14, and will be accompanied by advance warning signs, rumble strips and temporary message boards to alert drivers to the change.

In other business, council:

•Heard from the mayor that Goodwill is hoping to open its store in the former Walgreens location on Votaw Street by the end of the month. Chicago’s Pizza at 1511 N. Meridian St. is in the final stages of its preparations to open, he said.

•Approved the following: 

    —An update to the city’s solicitation ordinance that calls for solicitors to register with the city for a fee of $25 for a permit that expires after two weeks. They will be limited to soliciting between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Previously, no timeframe was listed.) They must also have a background check.

    —Payment of claims following a question from Hilfiker regarding pay and take-home vehicle policy for the city’s code enforcement officer. Phillips clarified that past practice has not been to adjust pay for police officers reassigned to code enforcement. Mock verified that the city does not provide a take-home vehicle for code enforcement.

    —The city’s redevelopment commission report on its activities from 2024 ahead of it being turned in to Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (the deadline is April 15)

•Discussed the city’s noise ordinance in relation to a resident complaint that was brought to the council at a previous meeting regarding a religious service held at Jay Community Center. Portland resident Adolfo Solis spoke on the issue, saying it is a normal church service and that he could not hear noise at a distance of 200 feet from the building. Hilfiker agreed with that assessment but said residents continue to complain. Solis challenged council members to visit and judge the noise levels for themselves.

•Heard Aker ask about the level of manhole covers following the U.S. 27 (Meridian Street) paving project. Westlake said INDOT has been notified and that the manholes will be adjusted. May also asked about the sidewalks/bump outs related to the project, with Westlake saying those will be addressed as well.

•Referred a pair of tax abatement requests from FCC (Indiana), one for real property and the other for personal property. They total an investment of $1.6 million and both qualify for a three-year abatement. In presenting the request, Jodi Hayes of Jay County Development Corporation noted that the investments will create two new jobs.

•Heard May relay a complaint from a former council member about the city’s tax rate going up. “As a city council, we need to start saying no to some things,” May said. Geesaman noted that residents can appeal the assessed valuation of their property.

•Approved the following road closures:

    —Race Street for a half-block east of Meridian Street from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 12, for the Masonic Lodge’s 175th anniversary celebration.

    —Main Street between Meridian and Harrison streets from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, May 17, for a Main Street festival.

    —Main Street between Meridian and Ship streets from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 21, for a PAST Recovery Services event.

•Heard Golden ask about installing a railing at the front steps at the Hood Building. The building, which is home to The Commercial Review, was purchased by the city’s redevelopment commission in December 2023 for potential development. (There has been a railing there in the past but it was ripped out by vandals.)

•Heard Golden ask about vacating the alley between Jay County Democrat headquarters and Freedom Park. Geesaman said he would be happy to work with The Portland Foundation on the process.