Scottsburg council adopts off‑road vehicle ordinance, debates sanitation code and hears infrastructure updates

The Scottsburg City Council on a March 2025 meeting passed an ordinance regulating off‑road vehicle use and considered multiple service and infrastructure items, including a proposed replacement sanitation ordinance, a final compliance filing for a tax abatement, approval of a sanitation supervisor job description and a Memorial Day road‑closure request for a church car show. The council also heard a public complaint about open burning on Main Street and an update on sewer and water grants.

The council recorded unanimous passage of Ordinance 2025‑3, which repeals and replaces chapter 86 of the City of Scottsburg code regulating off‑road vehicles. The measure passed on its third and final reading, the council noted at the meeting.

Council members spent more time on proposed Ordinance 2025‑1, described at the meeting as repealing and replacing the municipal code sections on trash collection and sanitation services. Councilors raised questions about who would be liable if sanitation equipment damaged a resident’s receptacle and about the stated dumpster rates in the new code. One council member asked whether commercial three‑yard dumpster charges would remain $50 monthly or had increased to $60; staff said dumpster charges depend on dumpster size and pickup frequency and that the ordinance language on dumpster charges had not changed from the prior code, but some councilors said their current bills showed different amounts.

A resident who spoke during public comment described smoke from backyard burning that made it difficult to go outside, saying, “you can't go outside because of the I don't know what they burn in, but it's so bad it really hurts you.” The council acknowledged the city's existing ordinances against burning prohibited materials and asked the police chief to patrol the area the resident identified on Main Street. The police chief responded at the meeting that officers could follow up and that the event had been reported previously.

Tim Blake, representing New Creation Ministries, requested permission to close the square on Memorial Day from 9 a.m. to about 3 p.m. for the group’s annual fundraiser and car show. Blake said, “It officially starts at 9,” and indicated registration would close at noon and that the event is weather dependent. The council approved the request and said the city typically provides traffic cones; the police chief confirmed the department coordinates the traffic control.

On economic development business, the council approved the annual Statement of Benefits compliance filing for John Jones' tax abatement. City staff told the council this filing is the last year of the abatement and that the property was in compliance with filing requirements. A council member moved and the council approved the statement.

The council also approved the job description for a sanitation supervisor as presented. The item was listed as ministerial: councilors moved, seconded and voted in favor.

In announcements, the council said the city had previously received an OAKRA grant of $750,000 for sewer work and that the city expects to use a recent water grant to replace aging water mains — including replacing an older 10‑inch line with a new 12‑inch line on a corridor extending from the Casey’s/Lovers Lane area toward Grand Rental. At the meeting a city official said roughly $1 million in funding was involved in the water project, and the public‑works department head, Todd Carter, was identified as the staff lead for that work.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 2025‑3 (repeal/replace chapter 86 — off‑road vehicles): passed on third reading, recorded as unanimous by the council. - Statement of benefits — John Jones (tax abatement): motion to approve carried. - Job description — Sanitation Supervisor: motion to approve carried. - New Creation Ministries — Memorial Day road closure/car show request: approved; organizers to coordinate cones and cleanup with city/staff.

Meeting context and next steps

Councilors asked staff to clarify dumpster‑rate language and how the ordinance will address equipment damage claims; staff said they would follow up with documentation. The police chief was asked to investigate reported burning locations on Main Street. The water‑line replacement will proceed under the awarded grant agreements and city staff will provide project details and timelines as bids and work are scheduled.

The meeting included public comment, several routine approvals and ordinance readings; councilors did not identify new deadlines for the sanitation ordinance beyond the readings on the agenda.