Heated again

In what has become more of the rule than the exception, a Portland City Council meeting turned into a heated airing of grievances.

Council members, the clerk-treasurer and the mayor were at odds again Monday night, with the 2026 budget as the first subject of contention. The second was another new tort claim, this one filed by Portland Police Chief Dustin Mock and investigator Jeff Hopkins against six defendants.

Council member Mike Aker brought up the tort claim issue, asking why Mayor Jeff Westlake is not among the defendants named. (See related story for details of the claim.)

“Yeah, why wasn’t I named?” asked Westlake in response. “Nothing that I had to do with it.”

Aker turned the question to Mock.

“I asserted my constitutional right by issuing a tort claim notice,” Mock said. “This is ridiculous. I’m glad it’s being recorded because you’re making my job easier.”

Aker noted the claim filed against himself, fellow council members Ron May and Dave Golden, the City of Portland, clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips (his daughter) and the office of the clerk-treasurer. (The claim was delivered to several others, though they are not named as defendants.)

“We have been elected to do a job. I fear that Mock and Hopkins seem to think that they can rally together and pressure elected officers to do their bidding. …”

He noted the $700,000 per claimant in compensatory damages requested in the claim.

“It is so unfair to the taxpayers,” Aker continued. “When will this end?”

Westlake agreed with Aker’s sentiment that the infighting amongst city employees and elected officials needs to stop.

“Why do we have to do this to each other?” he asked.

“We shouldn’t have to,” he continued. “We ought to be able to be adults about these things and not going after each other for anything. It’s time we start working together …”

He said he is tired of his police department “being kicked.”

Westlake said he will continue to defend Mock and the police department. He added that all involved need to stop acting like children.

Council member Ashley Hilfiker retorted, saying that as mayor part of his job is to make sure the city government is cohesive and works together. Instead, she accused him of fueling most of the fires. She asked him to do some self-reflection.

Westlake and Hilfiker also disagreed as to whether the mayor treats the city council with respect.

Council member Ron May concurred with Hilfiker, saying council members shouldn’t have to worry about their comments resulting in lawsuits against them.

The tort claim was the second point of contention of the evening after the mayor, council members and Phillips were at odds about the proposed 2026 budget again.

During the public hearing, former two-term mayor Randy Geesaman (Westlake beat him in the 2023 general election) said it’s important to make tough decisions. He added that he was happy to see that the proposed budget of $10.24 million for 2026 is down from the 2025 total of $10.61 million. He encouraged all involved to be conservative with the 2026 budget and adjust in future years if the financial situation is better than some project.

Westlake questioned projections for tight financial times, saying he has been involved in discussions that indicate revenue will go up slightly in the next two years and that the area of concern is in 2028. He also said he feels belt-tightening, if it is needed, should be happening across the board, mentioning the proposed 68 acre development project on the city’s west side as compared to new public safety radios. He suggested that if the city’s budget could not accommodate Mock’s request for two new police vehicles in 2026, perhaps one could be purchased.

Phillips responded, noting cuts in the motor vehicle highway, highway department and clerk-treasurer funds. 

May asked about a projected budget deficit of $631,000 for 2026 and whether there are other areas that could be cut. Phillips said she feels all reasonable cuts have been made. She also noted that the city’s year-end balance has regularly gone up because of budget surpluses, leaving a balance that can absorb the projected deficit next year.

Hilfiker asked Westlake specifically what he does not like about the budget. A back-and-forth argument between Westlake and Phillips regarding development of the budget followed.

“It should be a team,” said Geesaman when Westlake turned the question to him.

The council ultimately made no modifications to the proposed budget. A vote to adopt the budget is slated for the Oct. 6 council meeting.

In other business, the council:

•On first reading, approved an update to the city’s right-of-way ordinance to offer the option of a bond to ensure that any damage to streets is properly repaired. The ordinance, as passed earlier this year, required a $500 permit fee each time a street is cut. The change came after a request from Ohio Valley Gas. The change will need to be approved on second reading before going into effect.

•Approved the following: changes to the city’s handbook to reflect updates to state law regarding ghost employment and parental rights, as well as to reflect changes the council previously approved to the city’s sick time donation policy. 

•Heard Goldsworthy ask about the status of the T.J.’s Bicycle & Moped Sales, 311 N. Meridian St., Portland. A truck drove into the northwest corner of the building last year, causing significant damage. Goldsworthy said a resident expressed concern about the structure. The mayor said he talked to property owner Tim Miller last week and that the building is on the radar of Jay/Portland Building and Planning director John Hemmelgarn.

•Heard Westlake note various events that occurred over the weekend, including the Chainsaw Carving Invitational, harness racing and Jay County Cancer Society Cruise, Car Show and Carnival, all at Jay County Fairgrounds. He noted that the Indiana Military Vehicle Preservation Association’s Show and Swap Meet will be at the Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday.

•Received a reminder from Goldsworthy that the Jay County High School homecoming parade is at 5 p.m. Friday evening. The parade will start at Jay County Fairgrounds and end at East Jay Elementary School.