[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6158990,"mediaKeyId","5456924-0385dd415fc0b1c444189412955d09b8","parentId",5456924,"title","Workshop raises legal question about police 'Alliance' and whether it meets IC code for a union","audioSeconds",191,"startMs",263000,"endMs",454000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5456924-0385dd415fc0b1c444189412955d09b8&start=263&end=454","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5456924-0385dd415fc0b1c444189412955d09b8/thumbnail_263000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6158990/Scottsburg-City/Scott-County/Indiana/Workshop-raises-legal-question-about-police-Alliance-and-whether-it-meets-IC-code-for-a-union","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158990-c86be2d29a7cede358a0f5a3289c2538/orig.mp4?Expires=1775112472&Signature=KOzX8aCRFTnU9hibiv9TDdtkYiwfe7k0LOLBDzoaAvBe3X4zXQmpzq9cwGTc4V698reh7-cZsoBE4yAnEqavR2r~aRbqsSwy~qlX8hhFvPVD1boahWfKSbwzc2RE7gcQdM2ZElpptu1GuxhsoF-LUnOAuS79SyAdfFNjFa4xWtpFZET6ytqRnoaledzQsukXqMboSxR1NMHFsEqZGIN-3GxI6Wurl5V8vmVxNn5EyQK19QKtTsIJsWGDw0ODcga6JnfCTj1KhU2k6duy2IYk5UhEps6wfPL5sdsbzxmlgUqkxX8GBMjzUAmhvpr1yh7nk~s6XI~uSc0DgJXw9cHssg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Scottsburg IN","date","2025-07-24T03:17:08.817Z","article","At the budget workshop staff and council members discussed legal questions surrounding a police employee organization described as an \"Alliance,\" and whether its formation under the IC code constitutes a union for payroll and collective‑bargaining purposes. The exchange centered on legal advice obtained by both the city and the police group.

A staff member reported having received written input from a labor attorney and relayed that the attorney who represents the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Leo Blackwell, told staff the Alliance’s formation \"is absolutely legal\" and that \"everything you've done, I don't have an issue with.\" The staff member also said the city’s labor attorney had raised a related question about whether, if the Alliance were to disband, the arrangement would still be treated as an organization subject to state certification and whether that would enable collective bargaining.

\"If you open that up to one group to do that, ... any other group can take that same path,\" a staff member said, summarizing a legal concern that recognition of one organized group could invite other groups to seek the same payroll or recognition pathway. Payroll staff raised a practical question about state certification timing and whether a disbanded group would continue to create payroll or certification obligations.

Council members were told the formation followed steps set out in the IC code and that the labor attorney and the FOP attorney reached different characterizations of the result — one calling it a union and the other describing it as an organization. \"They went through the IC code and did the correct things,\" a staff member said, and the matter was left for council determination on whether to accept the Alliance arrangement or take other action.

No formal policy action or vote on recognition, payroll processing, or collective bargaining authority was recorded in the workshop. Staff advised council to consider the legal memoranda and to decide whether to direct further steps; they noted payroll certification with the state and related timing as factors that affect both budget and process.

Council did not take action at the workshop and asked staff to provide the written attorney input for review before issuing final direction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","7-14-2025 - City Council Budget Workshop","oneSentenceSummary","Council and staff discussed a recently formed police \"Alliance,\" differing attorney advice on whether its formation meets IC code and the payroll and collective‑bargaining implications of disbanding the group.","taxTitle","Scottsburg City, Scott County, Indiana","taxId",70796,"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},6158994,"City budget workshop proposes $751,000 in off-budget cuts, weighs employee pay options",1916,53000,1969000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5456924-0385dd415fc0b1c444189412955d09b8&start=53&end=1969","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5456924-0385dd415fc0b1c444189412955d09b8/thumbnail_53000.jpg","/articles/6158994/Scottsburg-City/Scott-County/Indiana/City-budget-workshop-proposes-751000-in-off-budget-cuts-weighs-employee-pay-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158994-f14a6ddc897e2cad582e4f0f30f529c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775112472&Signature=H8bgJDqh70a6Smo~uv1oJQo6FZEaoTM-iQiz10WloqsYkRp32u5YM2NnYHVUgqA5KvF5IKn2pD~UbF7uf6s1C8DO2FkygW56QJIY1kYL3yX-FvXg635-16HNCHneShfgv2rZdZfpPWM0s5O6Zr29qTDwxqMNRWKFz4cldcLLWS1wVAqmEaE5roNzu8ACJoSw0xkTzbzenVPKOuG4M7A1av4XMXgaAJK4wlYz1Cj4WxHlxyqvCrF-1Uj8LETjMFbJ7MYcxACjlRPphFSBf8jJpUc4he0QwCNNzgRFzsxeexDOEe8Cmi6op5gzqBHvta6VZ5VzeUJrOiiebC55vnz5ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials on Tuesday discussed a package of off-budget reductions totaling $751,000 and options for employee pay adjustments as they prepare a budget that must be finalized by September. Finance staff said the current draft can stretch to a 1.1% across-the-board raise using existing budget lines without leaving a buffer for health‑insurance cost increases; a 1% raise was described as equal to $48,800 of the city’s share and related benefits. To reach a 2% increase, staff said the city would need to identify an additional $43,250 in recurring funds unless police and fire funding assumed elsewhere is confirmed, in which case the additional amount needed would drop to $18,350.

The proposed off-budget reductions were offered as a way to avoid cuts to operating departments while preserving services. “We were able to go through and do these cuts without having to cut any of the departments,” a budget staff member said, explaining departments identified savings within their own lines. The packet circulated to council members also includes single-year and two-year line adjustments staff said would produce the combined $751,000 reduction.

Officials singled out several specific adjustments. A $150,000 reduction is proposed in the 2026 sidewalks line, which would leave no funds that year for sidewalk improvements unless council directs otherwise. Staff said $75,000 in capital funding for Mass Park furniture is paid from a capital/capital-projects category and was included in the reallocation. Local streets funds (LRS) were identified as the intended source for a requested street department soft truck. Paving work is expected to continue using restricted/state grant funds, staff said, but those funds carry state-imposed restrictions on eligible uses.

Staff described several budget uncertainties that affect the city’s ability to add recurring raises. Sanitation revenue and hauling/landfill costs remain unclear while the city transitions to a new billing system; staff said it will likely take a year to stabilize and produce reliable revenue projections. Stormwater also remains an open variable: staff plan to stand up a stormwater department but do not yet know projected fee revenue; the stormwater superintendent position was estimated to carry roughly $90,000 in salary and benefits, a number staff said was still being refined.

Officials also noted the planned move of City Hall into Master Park will change utility and occupancy costs. “We’re taking what’s currently being paid to front this building and putting it in with the Master Park budget,” a staff member said, noting the two budgets combined will need to absorb higher electricity and gas usage.

Regarding reserves, staff said last year’s transfers restored the rainy-day fund to roughly $1 million; they also said the city has spent approximately $170,000 from that fund and currently has under $1 million available, and they do not plan further withdrawals this year if avoidable. Staff urged caution about drawing down capital lines that could be needed for safety or emergent repairs.

Council members asked staff to pursue potential revenue or one‑time savings to reach a 2% raise without cutting departments; staff said they would continue to look at sanitation revenue, local interest and other line items and report back. No formal votes or budget approvals were taken at the workshop.

The workshop closed with staff inviting council members to review the packet and to indicate whether they want staff to pursue the funding needed for a larger pay adjustment ahead of the September budget submission deadline.","At a city budget workshop officials outlined $751,000 in proposed off-budget reductions and debated pay‑increase scenarios (1%–2%) while flagging uncertainties in sanitation, stormwater and utility costs tied to a planned City Hall move.","actionData","errors"]

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Workshop raises legal question about police 'Alliance' and whether it meets IC code for a union

City budget workshop proposes $751,000 in off-budget cuts, weighs employee pay options