[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6078916,"mediaKeyId","2957484-33e866917753df0febd37a510e7d9e1e","parentId",2957484,"title","Henry County Council approves March minutes, new printer and signs federal equitable-sharing form; PACE funds to be reconciled","audioSeconds",1998,"startMs",401000,"endMs",2399000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2957484-33e866917753df0febd37a510e7d9e1e&start=401&end=2399","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2957484-33e866917753df0febd37a510e7d9e1e/thumbnail_401000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078916/Henry-County/Indiana/Henry-County-Council-approves-March-minutes-new-printer-and-signs-federal-equitable-sharing-form-PACE-funds-to-be-reconciled","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078916-1a0fa289fd82bf120df5cedef6a9418a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770809516&Signature=PHZ~dEIEpG3mTqSXq~b1S-SGFaMtX8AlP9V3DLi0cwZeLjmFeLBYpijlhhaWBUmaTGCEif4vYBLxeadYo7Lr74qkvQwzBFxsxmn7NLKUzRtqPNQq8bmEbQ7xJ7dAhkkRNKIqF2LpBpkVmt70a4CD2-uE6gGnVYtfdtiPLWq9oBNGxwZ2l5jFDVLBTK3Qq5ZIaQlLfOdtvthTGcVK1SRwY9380woVWKEK9QpmD0tGG4mGquWgL9yEZ9uBIg-051aSunL~Rv5xks~81Cit1r6TStIn-337u3jcM4mHxQkkWUG8b1ypafxB8cUU8hVm39pdVanfKKjuVcd7vpde~r-gyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Henry County IN","date","2025-04-10T09:42:06Z","article","The Henry County Council conducted routine business April 9, approving meeting minutes, a printer purchase funded from the council’s reclassification fund and authorizing the council president to sign a federal equitable-sharing (PACE) report required by the sheriff’s department.

The council approved the March minutes by voice vote following a motion by Jay (council member) and a second from Scott (council member); the chair recorded the motion as passing unanimously.

The council approved a high-capacity office printer to be paid from the council’s reclassification fund (balance reported at $97,621.59). A council member moved approval from that fund and another member seconded; the motion passed by voice vote.

Josh (sheriff's department) presented the PACE report (federal equitable sharing) and said the county must submit missing annual reports to unfreeze and access roughly $7,000 in sharing funds. He asked that Council President Chad (council president) sign the agreement and certification so the sheriff’s office can file overdue reports and reclaim eligible funds. A motion to have the council president sign the certification carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: motions were administrative but the PACE signature enables the sheriff’s department to comply with federal reporting and potentially regain funds from past asset-sharing activity.

Votes at a glance: March minutes — motion by Jay, second by Scott; passed unanimously. Printer purchase — motion to pay from council’s reclassification fund; passed by voice vote. PACE signature — motion to authorize the council president to sign the equitable-sharing certification; passed by voice vote. The meeting then adjourned on a motion and second.

Ending: The council did not direct major new policy changes; staff will process the approved transactions and submit the PACE certification to federal partners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Henry County Council 04/09/25","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved March minutes, authorized a printer purchase paid from the reclassification fund, and authorized the council president to sign the federal equitable-sharing (PACE) report so sheriff's department asset-sharing funds can be reconciled.","taxTitle","Henry County, Indiana","taxId",70528,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078922,"Finance committee flags possible staff cuts, EMS and fire funding gaps as state revenue outlook changes",657,2804000,3461000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2957484-33e866917753df0febd37a510e7d9e1e&start=2804&end=3461","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2957484-33e866917753df0febd37a510e7d9e1e/thumbnail_2804000.jpg","/articles/6078922/Henry-County/Indiana/Finance-committee-flags-possible-staff-cuts-EMS-and-fire-funding-gaps-as-state-revenue-outlook-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078922-814267eb409a4ca482b5be54aead8cda/orig.mp4?Expires=1770809516&Signature=HmcGtl2A0Qh7MVKNcPgeICK5pSK800hfbQf0CUf9EQhFKHw783fHStjTlmqVcGW8~QEBzvyoUpel6KNfvdT1jfccufFb1aHMwLisAKv1TCz0Z~yvGAz1E95yoDkJeUK4zLjnCCLfWA~N6IzXUZIUNRtbSxH-EiezctmH1hZ9cQlx--YYWltg8fYyg7jCPQDEMwhUG73kJ25hRtBxM9gFLVj77FGzmkNlvl4SL7EiBMLlY7a7hMbuYRZZieS5w5hnrbjG-Wlt6T~SzW1EMx4FfwsjjgrLHYm1etH7hwh2DXspfWSdOvUYewUXVkDsLRY6-qNPdbTmWa-2SYiufDOZrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Henry County finance committee and council gave an update April 9 on departmental budget pressures, projected reductions to Health First Indiana funds and questions about EMS and volunteer fire department funding for 2026.

Shannon (council member) said the finance committee reviewed highway issues including three road closures with culverts on order, state changes to gas tax and potential reductions or uncertainty in Community Crossings funding. On public health, Shannon said proposed reductions to the Health First Indiana fund could cut the program by about one-third and that the health department must prepare its 2026 budget assuming roughly half the 2025 revenue; Angela (health department) had warned that grant-funded positions could be lost and staffing would have to be reduced if revenues fall.

The committee discussed countywide emergency medical services funding. Shannon said New Castle’s request for 2026 was estimated at $915,000 but had been discussed at about $650,000; council members asked what the county is legally required to provide (countywide BLS 9-1-1 response) and whether that baseline is adequate for residents. Kennan (council member) said legislators’ revenue forecasts and bills under consideration could reduce the county’s bonding capacity and complicate funding for EMS and other services.

Council members also discussed volunteer fire department allocations. Jeff Beal located ordinances from nearby counties that distribute public-safety Local Income Tax (LIT) funds evenly to departments; attendees at a meeting with volunteer departments and township trustees expressed support for an even distribution rather than the prior allocation method. Debbie (auditor) said the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) had called and indicated the county’s reallocation request is likely to be approved and that she expected an adjustment in May; she said DLGF did not identify volunteer departments as overpaid for the year.

Financial balances discussed: the council’s reclassification fund balance was reported at $97,621.59; the rainy day fund held approximately $295,000 as of March 27; and the general fund unappropriated balance was reported at $7,292,596.38. Shannon emphasized that those savings cannot be used for recurring payroll long-term and noted the county has little unappropriated funding available for large new ongoing expenditures.

Why it matters: proposed reductions to state grant funds and changes in state tax policy could force cuts in personnel and services at the local level and complicate county planning for EMS, health, highways and fire department support.

Ending: Council staff said they will continue budget hearings, run updated revenue and bond analyses (Baker Tilly was mentioned) and prepare ordinance language if the council pursues an even distribution of LIT funds to volunteer fire departments for 2026.","County finance committee members reported potential reductions to Health First Indiana funding, concerns about countywide EMS funding levels and discussion of volunteer fire department allocations as state revenue forecasts and legislative changes proceed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078927,"Henry County emergency teams evacuate mobile home residents, distribute sandbags and send 15,537 alert messages during April storms",101,1665000,1766000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2957484-33e866917753df0febd37a510e7d9e1e&start=1665&end=1766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2957484-33e866917753df0febd37a510e7d9e1e/thumbnail_1665000.jpg","/articles/6078927/Henry-County/Indiana/Henry-County-emergency-teams-evacuate-mobile-home-residents-distribute-sandbags-and-send-15537-alert-messages-during-April-storms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078927-70af4a263222f73524f31a8bfe806a3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770809516&Signature=SO5eR5I8JXQGm9~GDLUZ3prard3QwVUKue65Zte3jUkfBvGnw9wOi6dMcM0Lm6oTccxi-BCIi6ChWMXPl5HWLuOTDywtzcG7KomU49qaNtkoXvI6XNhzESLvsS29xjtHzfLZPUVmAwIDpG06nQIW7nqTyE1p-8iiYUDBE6oWnWKda6Y8boQk9GZEU79C0OzZC1PcOzDNeBzRb6lh9~QugUQ9FrHjonMZhNZfdls9LTnxZBN-mhPznbPpkfEwPZwI3LzWM7ehSzBm3GlI4bqdUdSDtVG9FKmiu7itGLA3fLAfuFduPxsukJhPSuaQY3lVQOCWM0kpaKkMiLBXiVMgGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Henry County emergency management staff reported evacuations, sandbagging operations and heavy use of the county alert system after severe storms April 2–7, the council heard April 9.

Troy (emergency management staff) said on April 5 dispatch notified multiple local fire departments and Newcastle-Henry County EMS about rising water at a mobile home park on South 103 and 500 South; Strong, Lewisville and Spiceland fire departments assisted evacuations. “There were some that were reluctant to leave, but we informed them that we had a place for them to go,” Troy said. He reported about 12 mobile homes and roughly eight to 12 people and their pets were displaced and later returned home when conditions permitted.

Sandbagging operations began Saturday and extended into Sunday; county staff recorded 218 sandbags distributed to residents. Troy said emergency communications systems sent 15,537 outbound messages from April 4 through April 7 — 11,827 of those were for the tornado warning — and he reported utility restoration work returned power by the morning of April 7.

Why it matters: the report shows local agencies coordinated multi-department evacuations and public communications during fast-moving weather events and that a small number of residents were temporarily displaced. Council members thanked emergency responders for their work.

Ending: The council did not take formal action on the report; staff said damage assessments and restoration continued.","Emergency management reported evacuations from a mobile home park, sandbag distribution and high volume use of the county alert system during April storms.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078931,"Henry County presents SR 109 corridor guidance, warns state tax changes could stall housing and infrastructure projects",903,444000,1347000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2957484-33e866917753df0febd37a510e7d9e1e&start=444&end=1347","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2957484-33e866917753df0febd37a510e7d9e1e/thumbnail_444000.jpg","/articles/6078931/Henry-County/Indiana/Henry-County-presents-SR-109-corridor-guidance-warns-state-tax-changes-could-stall-housing-and-infrastructure-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078931-8e98673b4c0e682d0f88f32ba8149030/orig.mp4?Expires=1770809516&Signature=afQ~gnJykpRVVov7cw8VEWXuXrQC2ltMdUj6k8Q~YOdm0Fcs0Xij6MQXzDLEUSbtUGSrPnoLol3AihZGV0ifFMLzDcxpeOPBvE3MbLQ-B5A3pU9C-yl6OgJSqXLMMubs6NoRD0Dl7x57X4TMQsXQkkVySWEjpGW4GkEzDoOmoUGhKBeSIFk~2dK-WsA5Hl7eMP7eQ2sEBhsrxBrTQT4gPQ8oj7cLL5bcpFoXXEo4Enal0CARuCODyAi7IWMHbAZAUAVr9qEAJbIVxNNrmw8guYKOyWjTybNB7SFJGxPBF1m8n9jP9cjoPcysEmEr~MYJ9u~h5l-D7Qynjwr-18HQiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Henry County staff presented the State Road 109 corridor guidance and updates on Ready 1 infrastructure projects at the April 9 Henry County Council meeting, and said proposed changes at the state legislature could make it difficult or impossible to fund future infrastructure and housing developments.

Mr. Murphy (staff member) told the council the draft corridor plan is a guidance document intended to manage growth along State Road 109 and that it does not change zoning maps. “This is a guidance document, to help the county and the town manage growth,” he said, adding the plan references voluntary annexation but that “there’s no plans for that.” He urged commissioners and residents to use the draft plan as a reference and to provide feedback before the steering committee finishes its meetings and the plan returns to the commissioners for comment.

Murphy also reviewed Ready 1-funded projects in Henry County, including a New Castle State Road 3 sewer and water improvement project with construction bids opened April 7 and completion expected by the end of 2025; that project was described as a Ready 1 infrastructure award of $975,000 with local Redevelopment Commission match. He said a second DuBinger-site sewer phase is in design with plans expected complete in third quarter 2025, and that the intent is to have “shelf ready” utility plans and easements so land is serviced when development occurs. Murphy said four Ready 1 projects in the county total about $1.6 million and that one Ready 1 allocation of $190,000 toward YMCA expansion (before- and after-school care) is at risk if the region does not demonstrate “sufficient movement” by September 2025 under the state contract timeline.

On business attraction, Murphy said the county has pursued 15 projects since January and conducted three site visits; he also noted the county has an available shell building that helps qualify sites for certain prospects.

Council members and county staff raised state-level funding concerns. Murphy said if Senate Bill 1 (as then drafted) passes in its current form, the county could lose or find it “very, very difficult to fund infrastructure,” particularly projects financed through tax increment financing (TIF) and bonding. He said the likely reduction to business personal property tax and other amendments would shift tax burdens and reduce the revenue streams that support bonds for infrastructure tied to new housing development. “If the increment or the property taxes…[are] insufficient to pay the bonds, the developer has to pay them,” Murphy said, explaining how developer guarantees are used in the county’s housing-bond structure. He added that several housing projects relying on increment financing could be jeopardized if revenue assumptions change.

Kennan (council member) summarized recent legislative action affecting the business personal property tax and other amendments (referred to in the meeting as Amendment 36). He said the state-level package has been changing quickly and that some provisions in Amendment 36 increase the personal property exemption to $1 million for certain installations, a change that could have uneven impacts across counties. Kennan and other council members said rural counties like Henry County are more vulnerable than larger jurisdictions because the revenue shifts would reduce local bonding capacity and TIF effectiveness.

Why it matters: the corridor guidance and Ready 1 projects are intended to direct and enable development in growing parts of the county; simultaneous legislative changes that reduce business personal property tax and curb bonding capacity could remove the financing tools the county uses to build roads, sewers and other public infrastructure needed for housing and commercial sites.

Council members were asked to review the corridor draft (the staff folder included a link to the draft plan) and prepare feedback for the steering committee and the commissioners. Staff said they will return for further comment before finalizing the plan.

Ending: County staff and council members said they will track the state legislature’s revenue forecast and the final form of SB1/Amendment 36 closely and will ask Baker Tilly to rerun local bond and TIF projections once state actions are finalized.","County staff summarized the State Road 109 corridor guidance document and Ready 1 infrastructure projects, and warned that proposed state tax changes and Senate Bill 1 could jeopardize tax-increment-financing–backed housing projects and infrastructure funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Henry County Council approves March minutes, new printer and signs federal equitable-sharing form; PACE funds to be reconciled

Finance committee flags possible staff cuts, EMS and fire funding gaps as state revenue outlook changes

Henry County emergency teams evacuate mobile home residents, distribute sandbags and send 15,537 alert messages during April storms

Henry County presents SR 109 corridor guidance, warns state tax changes could stall housing and infrastructure projects