[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6167421,"mediaKeyId","5411195-1222e93a08b5c6dfb1d89e6e1751af7f","parentId",5411195,"title","Volunteer fire chief urges council to support small local tax for volunteer fire departments","audioSeconds",239,"startMs",1895000,"endMs",2134000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411195-1222e93a08b5c6dfb1d89e6e1751af7f&start=1895&end=2134","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411195-1222e93a08b5c6dfb1d89e6e1751af7f/thumbnail_1895000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6167421/Boone-County/Indiana/Volunteer-fire-chief-urges-council-to-support-small-local-tax-for-volunteer-fire-departments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167421-83364880650de83b1ccaa4d488ffcbe8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500544&Signature=bit9SZxSdr0e8qbpifso1G9x765j5dUInJGiplbkaWbEJDSVibprbGchvEkwSt7HK7twgz9QxyflxrDf7n8UGAcE7iJBHXVlAhuOZXov5wIHuwTFa9dr~CqeIEYGnY31JoYtarM~7U7Y-EwPVyjJXCnHxhgHEPhx4ht80ZhtDowQhu~1283rm3qkeIyUflzPThZanScsLgjYVTnnQzRu52mElRvdrmTe0sLC4vMo99OsvOPWka2i0JpZO12hjM6zM-76gOWE2LNDfn~qacZDQ4W0StyKlJcr4bdhkzOppvAj~iqGTNGxPSveR58Ab0AA9desIhD2arGFT~oXvYQeNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boone County IN","date","2025-07-17T04:00:33Z","article","Jim Cole, chief of the Advance Fire Department, urged the Boone County Council during public comment to consider a small, dedicated local tax to support volunteer fire departments across the county.

Cole told the council volunteer departments respond to fires, crashes and other emergencies without pay, and that rising call volume and equipment needs have strained resources. He described a proposed local public-safety tax that would capture 0.001 of assessed value (described in the meeting as a modest levy) and said funds would support township and volunteer partner departments, including James Southern, Thornton Town and Kirkland fire departments.

Council members asked the county attorney to report back on House Bill 1454 and how a local tax mechanism would work and to provide information on whether the council could consider the change during a budget workshop. The county attorney said he would review the bill and provide details to the council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Boone County Council Meeting 07-15-2025","oneSentenceSummary","A fire chief asked the council to consider a small dedicated local tax to fund volunteer fire departments, citing doubled call volume and equipment needs; councilmembers asked the county attorney to review House Bill 1454 for possible implementation steps.","taxTitle","Boone County, Indiana","taxId",52300,"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},6167426,"Council discusses NEOGOV modules and pending contract renewal; no funding decision made",145,2145000,2290000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411195-1222e93a08b5c6dfb1d89e6e1751af7f&start=2145&end=2290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411195-1222e93a08b5c6dfb1d89e6e1751af7f/thumbnail_2145000.jpg","/articles/6167426/Boone-County/Indiana/Council-discusses-NEOGOV-modules-and-pending-contract-renewal-no-funding-decision-made","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167426-4debf56ed57e3e90cd0f5b04ff67e43a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500544&Signature=dRhEJZSfGJy~~GJ5Miy8vgO9ZPezMtxwopE9eytUJJFL5cyZOJ9sZYuoBG1XARKysKm7Mk4hSdQSXCHfc-lrFKQs8NW76ISw2PtERZYNC~Qxh49eoF6zUcfA2hga~K-glPebRo2FVtPuuGOjL9eAL47EHcZvCCwvUSY9J6q-q3tFmw1BZYxZApP9ujKGfOWEE01cNNJ16YBvjqXHJLyYsT9Uuqh3bEQYPQoLDK-U90FEH5Uyh8J3p~9TucfPj7ryrRsWDeY5JyvYdIp5fnDsXITWiQJ3UEZ70XgRNvtYJuhUZxdGP2rRsvARB7-3~r2FB28-xiZi5JrJdJqzguG9jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council held a discussion on the county's NEOGOV human-resources and applicant-tracking system, including proposed new modules and a pending contract renewal that requires council funding approval.

Staff said the commissioners approved adding two or three NEOGOV modules for the county and sheriff's office and that some modules are intended to centralize background checks and transition OSHA training. The first year's cost for the NEOGOV contract renewal was stated as $66,710.99. County staff told the council they do not want to pay for add-on modules in the short term if the council intends to terminate NEOGOV altogether, because the underlying contract itself must be funded.

Council members and staff described uneven usage across county departments: some larger offices (prosecutor, highways, probation, community corrections and sheriff's office) favor the system and could benefit from expanded modules, while other offices use it less. Staff said data migration away from NEOGOV could require additional expense because not everything transfers easily.

No formal vote was taken; staff said the full contract and associated funding request will be brought back to council in August for formal action. The council suggested seeking input from the compensation committee and larger offices before the funding decision.","Council discussed adding modules to the county's NEOGOV human-resources system and a pending contract renewal with a first-year cost of $66,710.99; commissioners approved modules but the council deferred funding until August after further review.",{"_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},6167431,"Commissioner seeks appraisal authorization to explore purchase of bowling alley next to justice center",976,882000,1858000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411195-1222e93a08b5c6dfb1d89e6e1751af7f&start=882&end=1858","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411195-1222e93a08b5c6dfb1d89e6e1751af7f/thumbnail_882000.jpg","/articles/6167431/Boone-County/Indiana/Commissioner-seeks-appraisal-authorization-to-explore-purchase-of-bowling-alley-next-to-justice-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167431-0feccf3a0f1dfec9bff9bd7d7788832f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500544&Signature=Tmwpb2nA-SxzEm8yY35IGuh7xbwDn17b~2LKGLMorw33SXXR61GS6~L1v9wUDasYep-ioCZRo8-K0RJloSinQtJ762KDF75cFzvbeS8yXtZtNJpr5nAmV4SzMJVwVM-OzJ7PoPGp9hjqQyg~ATMVfs7SVUoaCMJM5XzyylzIE6FD7sQ1he6GS9R~bZT2lwkBVAPnZGUM-gRXQBIFdzLCagU7MdSun6jP4jru42fPsqmmmbxvUl2-pBW5kcNPZujnczcqpJ9XX40kOt7oDq86rMqUyh82ygYMaLSRQteuYiYNlGEk5NuMPiMxnnxU1WpcSAynnBK-jHq~uyss1pEnmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Scott Bell asked the Boone County Council for approval to pursue appraisals on the property at 1903 Indianapolis Avenue, a bowling alley located in front of the justice center, and the council voted to authorize the appraisal step.

Bell, introduced as the district 3 commissioner, said the southern end of the bowling-alley parcel adjoins county-owned parking and that owning the building would allow the county to better control the area immediately adjacent to the justice center. He said the building is roughly 14,000 square feet; an appraisal of the adjacent parking lot previously valued that lot at $39,000.

Bell told the council he had spoken with the sheriff, who supported the county owning the property to \"control what's in front of the main course of the justice system,\" but Bell said the sheriff did not present specific post-purchase plans for the building. Council members asked whether the county would need two appraisals to bid, how appraisals treat business income versus land and improvements, and whether liability or lease terms would be applicable if the county retained the parking lot or entered a new lease.

County legal staff explained municipal appraisals generally value land and improvements only and do not include business goodwill or business income when determining just compensation. The council approved a resolution authorizing procurement of appraisals so commissioners can evaluate sale, lease, easement or purchase options.","Commissioner Scott Bell asked council to permit appraisals to explore purchasing the bowling alley at 1903 Indianapolis Ave, citing control of neighboring property and adjoining county-owned parking; council approved the resolution to proceed with appraisals.",{"_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},6167436,"Council adopts investment and depository policy for county excess funds",87,746000,833000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411195-1222e93a08b5c6dfb1d89e6e1751af7f&start=746&end=833","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411195-1222e93a08b5c6dfb1d89e6e1751af7f/thumbnail_746000.jpg","/articles/6167436/Boone-County/Indiana/Council-adopts-investment-and-depository-policy-for-county-excess-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167436-751c38a4fb14b1e42fc5ba4ecda6790d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500544&Signature=HMrWy6BuNvth40o2K-LdshcHtCH7EnBZpYSBcf04cr~TYixkP0Us41iWkP7Weo5q52pACtpqnsvtrOgG0yiRCd74Zc5jvDYfCYgdgTpE8A6lmpOiT5PEP9Fdf8ska2gKWpqJ24HEybEGmOyzCbPNem547Fu2~qQXNYOSaDLSjqRVpFAP7q4a3mgvdD2NsV77RQF-RWSatqyGrvK4ERR75fT2TII9IkUrHrvb2ZZxAZEUrGLNZc~~IhEsshffFkYHPoTFayWWbP-2SbwrFMEIocK7aGn4WsM1qcsX1jrEtK~3Z2fPq8xR78gwsYZEJNlsBE~~UfgWQbukBciGYJWFYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boone County Council approved a resolution establishing a written investment and depository policy for the county's excess funds during its meeting.

County staff explained the policy governs funds held for investment beyond day-to-day operating cash and identifies approved institutions for investing county reserves. The document cited three institutions the treasurer currently uses: KeyBank, and two local banks identified by staff for county investments. The treasurer or county finance staff may propose additions or amendments to the list for council consideration.

Staff said the resolution was also requested by the courts as part of routine financial oversight. Boone County Treasurer Nikki Baldwin addressed the council in public comment to note the item had been on the board of finance's planned agenda earlier in the year.

Council members voted by roll call to adopt the resolution.","Boone County Council approved a resolution establishing an investment and depository policy for county excess funds and identified approved institutions.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167441,"County council approves $750 payment for attorney representation letter",47,312000,359000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411195-1222e93a08b5c6dfb1d89e6e1751af7f&start=312&end=359","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411195-1222e93a08b5c6dfb1d89e6e1751af7f/thumbnail_312000.jpg","/articles/6167441/Boone-County/Indiana/County-council-approves-750-payment-for-attorney-representation-letter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167441-3f5dd97dd855a83418349383b6815573/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500544&Signature=OC57ct38nG45TMyUQgCigBoqp9WqUPYvBifuaogVmqf9xNSzxhAvOPwYZ3LbGrsK41OL1P3LfTNXYss-g0meD5M7-dqPFdP5UJNOoSkGeR4-EX7tItL7x5JbnMRaZRJh7gR0fKmJz1SWosV0b2yEm3aZczjfwRsHyCtkSXrtemAK0YGHtr8y3veBlRHU59TrLg-PYRBmXFJLsD3Q3pHAUZm6Lgok~t5ZZ86~QX~Jl--m~NZ18469TS~RSMHhiqnyd28Er4r4ZT-yykHVuyYZkqNVtuQBgM0Waj61cz5UK8TLUcrXjGY~qNx5JvRgv90pr58OUtEtLldcLbgO4oHJJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boone County Council voted to pay $750 to a former county attorney to sign an attorney representation letter required for the State Board of Accounts audit, the council decided during its regular meeting.

The payment covers an attorney representation letter tied to the 2024 audit that was prepared in 2025. Auditor staff told the council, \"He then sent us a bill for $750 and I'm asking to pay it out of county general.\" The council approved using the county general fund by roll-call vote.

The auditor said the State Board of Accounts requires an attorney representation letter when it conducts an audit and that the work on the 2024 audit occurred in 2025. Several council members raised concerns about whether the charge should have been billed to the fiscal year in which the work was contracted or performed. One council member asked whether additional invoices tied to other years might still arrive.

A county attorney present said it is common for audit representation letters to be issued a year or more after the audit period because the State Board of Accounts conducts audits at varying times.

Council members voted by roll call; Councilman Reiner, Councilman LaMar, Councilman Puckett, Councilman Manhorn, Councilman Van Horn, Councilman Williams and Councilwoman Ritchie each registered aye and the motion carried.

The payment settles the single invoice presented to the council; the auditor said this was the first time in recent audits that the county received a separate bill specifically for a representation letter.","Boone County Council voted to pay $750 to a former county attorney for an attorney representation letter required for the State Board of Accounts audit amid questions about billing year and precedent.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Volunteer fire chief urges council to support small local tax for volunteer fire departments

Council discusses NEOGOV modules and pending contract renewal; no funding decision made

Commissioner seeks appraisal authorization to explore purchase of bowling alley next to justice center

Council adopts investment and depository policy for county excess funds

County council approves $750 payment for attorney representation letter