Carmel Common Council approves payroll and claims, $17,600 event coverage appropriation and EMS grant transfers

The Carmel Common Council on March 17 approved routine payroll and claims, a one‑time $17,600 appropriation to cover a part‑time replacement in the Marketing and Community Relations division during staff family medical leave, and two grant‑related transfers to support emergency medical services and a community fall‑prevention program.

The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which the clerk read as including March payroll and related items totaling $4,171,992.93; a $219,480.95 uniform allowance; $139,406.96 in CPD sick/vacation payouts; $196,826.06 in CFD sick/vacation payouts; general claims of $2,493,513.70; two payroll retirement lines of $126,308.06 each; and wire transfers of $1,559,874.46. The roll call recorded ayes from Councilors Green, Joshi, Menard, Worrell, Taylor, Austin, Snyder, Ayers and Locke.

The council then suspended the rules and adopted Ordinance D-2766-25, an additional 2025 appropriation of $17,600 from the general fund for the Marketing and Community Relations budget (12-03). The appropriation will fund a part‑time hire at $20 per hour for up to 20 hours per week through the remainder of 2025 to cover duties while a current employee is on family medical leave. Zach (identified in the meeting as Marketing Director) told the council the amount is a worst‑case figure and the department does not anticipate spending the full appropriation. The ordinance passed on a roll call with all members voting aye (9–0).

In separate actions the council approved two grant transfers for fire/EMS. Resolution CC-03-17-2501 moved $5,000 from the grant fund (900) to the ambulance capital fund (102) to reimburse the city for part of the cost of a Lucas mechanical chest‑compression device. Joel Thacker, Fire Chief, said Lucas devices retail for about $17,000 and deliver continuous, high‑quality CPR while crews move patients; he described the devices as "real game changers." Thacker noted that after initial implementation the city's return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) rate rose from about 28% in early 2022 to 43% after deployment and was 59% in the second half of 2024. The transfer passed 9–0 on roll call.

The council also approved Resolution CC-03-17-25, transferring $6,360.80 from grant fund 900 into the general fund (101) as a drawdown of an award to support the "Steady Steps" fall‑prevention program. Thacker said the city was awarded $32,875 from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security for the mobile integrated health program and that the funds will pay for program staffing, materials and outreach. Councilor Snyder praised the program as unusually thorough and important for seniors; the resolution passed 9–0.

The meeting included no mayoral vetoes. Pending land‑use ordinances and plan commission referrals remained in committee and received no votes at this meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (payroll, claims, wire transfers): approved on roll call, recorded ayes from Councilors Green, Joshi, Menard, Worrell, Taylor, Austin, Snyder, Ayers and Locke. - Ordinance D-2766-25 (additional appropriation $17,600, general fund → Marketing & Community Relations): passed after suspension of rules, roll call 9–0. - Resolution CC-03-17-2501 (grant fund 900 → ambulance capital fund 102, $5,000 for Lucas device reimbursement): passed, roll call 9–0. - Resolution CC-03-17-25 (grant fund 900 → general fund 101, $6,360.80 for Steady Steps fall‑prevention drawdown): passed, roll call 9–0.

The council closed routine business and adjourned following a series of committee reports and public comment.