Putnam County Commission approves 2026 levy rates, routine payroll and budget orders and a $159,153.98 TIF payment; holds executive session

The Putnam County Commission, sitting in regular session, unanimously approved the county's 2026 levy rates, accepted routine payroll and payment orders, approved a budget revision for department 712, and authorized a $159,153.98 tax-increment financing (TIF) payment before moving into an executive session to discuss a legal matter.

The commission voted to adopt the levy rates presented for 2026. According to the staff presentation recorded in the meeting, the class 1 levy rate was listed as 13.75, class 2 as 27.5, and classes 3 and 4 as 55; the presenter noted the class 1 rate was below the stated maximum of 14.3. A motion to accept the current levy as presented passed with a motion, a second and all commissioners saying "aye."

The levy vote was followed by multiple routine financial actions. Commissioners approved the personnel payroll orders and a motion described in the record as acceptance of the "edit registries" necessary to pay bills. The commission also approved a budget revision for department 712 that, as described on the record, decreased maintenance and repair for buildings and grounds by $576.41, decreased advertising by $232.32, decreased dues and subscriptions by $400, decreased capital outlay for equipment by $4.01 and increased travel by $1,609.73. A motion to accept that order was made, seconded and approved.

Separately, the commission approved an order to issue a check from the TIF fund in the amount of $159,153.98 payable to "West Bank of Bank trustee" for March 2025 TIF revenue; that motion was made, seconded and approved on the record.

After routine business, the commission voted to go into executive session "for the purpose of legal." The motion to enter executive session was made, seconded and approved on voice vote. After returning from executive session, the commission recorded that the visitors with whom commissioners had met during the closed session would send a proposal to "Larry" for review and potential placement on a future agenda; no formal public action on that proposal was recorded at the meeting.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Acceptance of edit registries/pay-bills: Motion made and seconded; approved by voice vote (ayes recorded). - Personnel payroll orders: Motion made and seconded; approved by voice vote (ayes recorded). - 2026 county levy: Motion to accept the levy as presented; motion, second, unanimous "aye." Levy details in record: class 1 = 13.75; class 2 = 27.5; class 3 & 4 = 55; presenter noted class 1 is under the stated maximum of 14.3. - Budget revision (department 712): Motion to accept budget revision describing the line-item decreases and an increase to travel totaling the amounts listed in the record; motion, second, approved. - TIF payment: Motion to issue check from TIF fund for $159,153.98 payable to "West Bank of Bank trustee" for March 2025 TIF revenue; motion, second, approved. - Executive session: Motion to go into executive session for a legal matter; motion, second, approved. After returning, commissioners said visitors would send a proposal to "Larry" for review and possible future agenda placement; no formal vote on that proposal was recorded.

The meeting transcript does not provide full names for several speakers or identify specific vote tallies beyond voice votes and recorded "aye" responses; the article reflects only items explicitly recorded in the meeting text.