Henry County Council rescinds ordinance tied to 2026 fire-department revenue allocations

The Henry County Council voted 6-0 at a special meeting to rescind an ordinance the council said state officials might interpret as applying to 2026 revenue allocations for volunteer fire departments and the New Castle Fire Department.

Council members said the rescission was intended to prevent the state from using the February amendment as the basis for certifying allocations for 2026. "They said it would be in our best interest to rescind that ordinance as soon as possible," Shannon told the council when describing communications with the state Department of Local Government Finance and the Department of Revenue.

The council discussed an ordinance identified in the meeting as 2025-O2203-001 and a resolution described as 20250519003. Council members clarified that rescinding the ordinance would not affect funding already approved last year for 2025. "That does not I just wanna clarify that does not take away any funding that was approved for the fire department," a council member said during the hearing.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing. After brief discussion and the confirmation of the ordinance number, a council member moved to rescind the prior ordinance; another member seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote, recorded as 6 to 0 in favor.

Council members said rescinding the February amendment will allow the county to hold another tax council meeting in July to consider what the fire departments will request for 2026. The county clerk or staff said copies of current funding levels and the ordinance would be emailed and placed in the meeting minutes.

The meeting record shows no further action was taken at the special session; the hearing was adjourned and the council moved on to other scheduled meetings.