Council approves manager appointment, budget supplement and wastewater equipment in emergency votes

The New Carlisle City Council on an emergency basis approved an employment agreement to hire a new city manager, adopted a supplemental appropriation ordinance to cover legal fees and move unspent street-levy funds into this year’s resurfacing budget, and authorized immediate purchase of a grit classifier for the wastewater treatment plant.

Council swore in Donald R. Hall III after approving the emergency employment ordinance to appoint a city manager. The measure was moved and seconded, carried on roll-call votes, and the council completed an oath of office at the meeting.

The council also passed Ordinance 2025-13, described by staff as a supplement to the city’s appropriations. The ordinance adds $20,000 to cover outside attorney fees related to TIF work and a challenge involving the board of elections, and moves $80,000 of previously unencumbered street-levy funds into the current year’s resurfacing contract with Clark County.

Separately, the council passed an emergency ordinance authorizing purchase of a WEMCO grit classifier (a hydrogritter) for the wastewater plant behind the grain elevator. Staff said the unit removes grit before pumps and is a failing component; the purchase price is listed at $98,232 and the city has $125,000 budgeted in the 2025 capital improvement plan to cover the acquisition and contingencies.

All three emergency ordinances were moved, seconded and adopted by roll-call vote. The meeting record shows repeated “yes” votes from mayor and council members during each tally. The council also introduced two additional ordinances for public hearing at the April 21 meeting: authorization to purchase a new utility truck for public works and a lease with Next Level Sports Enterprise LLC for a baseball field; those items were not voted on at this meeting.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2025-13 (supplemental appropriations): Approved. Purpose: $20,000 for outside attorney fees (TIF/board of elections matter) and $80,000 moved into street levy for resurfacing contract with Clark County. (Introduced: meeting transcript at 1271.84–1285.07; vote observed at 1321.44–1324.66.) - Ordinance 2025-14E (appointment/employment agreement — city manager; emergency): Approved; swearing-in took place. (Introduced: 1333.84–1344.55; oath recorded 1415.86–1497.41.) - Ordinance 2025-15E (purchase of WEMCO grit classifier; emergency): Approved. Price listed: $98,232; $125,000 already in 2025 CIP. (Introduced/explained: 1522.08–1572.55; vote observed: 1636.58–1652.69.) - Ordinance 2025-16 (utility truck) and Ordinance 2025-17 (lease with Next Level Sports Enterprise LLC): Introduced for public hearing and action on April 21, 2025; no vote recorded at this meeting (notice only at 1654.03–1684.04).

Why it matters Approving the manager appointment by emergency ordinance made the hiring effective immediately and included a formal oath in open session. The supplemental appropriation reallocates previously unspent levy funds for resurfacing work with Clark County and allocates money for legal counsel tied to TIF work and an election-related suit; both affect near-term capital work and legal spending. The wastewater equipment purchase addresses a failing component the city says is needed to keep treatment operations running and aligns with budgeted CIP funds.

What’s next - The utility truck purchase and the Next Level Sports lease were set for public hearing and action at the council’s April 21 meeting. - Staff said it will proceed with the grit classifier purchase and with onboarding the new city manager.