Sellersburg council holds budget pre-adoption hearing; approves CDL reimbursement policy and two sewer-project change orders

Sellersburg — The Town of Sellersburg Council opened a public pre-adoption hearing on the 2026 budget on Oct. 14, presenting an estimate that town officials say increases total appropriations while the town’s certified tax rate submitted to the state is lower than 2025.

Clerk‑Treasurer Michelle Metcalf told residents that the figure the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) receives reflects changes in assessed value and not a rate increase. “It's minus 0.0018. Okay. So 2026 tax rate will actually be less than this year's tax rate,” Metcalf said, adding the net assessed value rose and that drives differences on the notices taxpayers receive.

Why it matters: The hearing drew sustained public comment about perceived higher household costs and service levels even as officials said the town is investing in infrastructure and equipment. Council members fielded questions about a proposed new trash truck, years of salary adjustments following a compensation study, and why some state and federal roads through town are not maintained by the town.

Officials, proposals and public comments

Metcalf walked through highlights: the general budget total rose by about $918,500 and, she said, roughly $400,000 of that increase is budgeted for a new trash truck so the town does not have to finance the purchase (which the town estimates will reduce financing costs by about $30,000 over the financing term). She emphasized that some line items listed on tax notices are funds that require appropriation but do not themselves create a tax rate; for example, the town’s so‑called “Christmas for kids” allocation is held and spent from donations, not property tax.

Resident Yvonne Andrews, 304 West Utica, registered an objection to…