Brownsburg council approves fire and salary ordinances, awards creek stabilization bid, and clears surplus items
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Summary
At its Oct. 23 meeting the Brownsburg Town Council adopted the 2026 fire and fire-territory budget ordinance, approved a police and town claims docket of $1.96 million, awarded a $700,633 creek stabilization bid, adopted salary and handbook updates, and approved several surplus and procurement items.
The Town of Brownsburg Town Council on Oct. 23 approved a series of budget, procurement and personnel measures, including final adoption of the town and fire territory 2026 budgets, the annual salary ordinance and updates to the employee handbook.
On a proposed third reading and final adoption the council approved Ordinance 20 25‑15, adopting the 2026 Town of Brownsburg and fire territory budgets; staff said there were no changes since prior readings. The meeting packet also included the civil town and fire territory claims docket for Oct. 9–Oct. 23, 2025, which the council approved. The total claims and payroll docket amount was $1,957,560.23.
The council opened and awarded the bid for the White Lake Creek stabilization project (Bid 6.1). Staff recommended and the council approved awarding the contract to J.S. McCullough, the lowest responsive bidder, at $700,633 to improve 10 sites and complete associated wetland restoration required for DNR permits.
Parks Director Amber Lane told council staff would repair 12 areas of the older B&O Trail where tree roots have damaged the surface, then seal and restripe the trail section from Westway to Ronald Reagan; the closing is expected to last about two weeks during work. Parks staff and community relations staff also reported the town’s inaugural Brownsburg Field of Honor, which raised more than $5,000 for the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund and will host a Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 8 at 10 a.m.
Human resources presented the annual salary ordinance (Ordinance 20 25‑18). The council consented to take second and third readings the same night and approved the ordinance, which adds several new position titles across public works, police and fire, adjusts ranges for various titles, and updates longevity pay consistent with the 2026 budget.
Council also approved Resolution 20 25‑22 adopting a revised 2023 employee handbook with updates including a clarified nepotism/personal-relationship disclosure section, longevity pay language, an access-to-drinking-water policy, and COBRA information.
Chief Joe Grimes and Chief Larry Alcorn provided department reports; Grimes noted an open police recruitment process and said the department expects to hire two officers from the current process. The council approved acceptance of surplus items from the police department so a long-serving reserve officer may receive her duty weapon as a retirement honor. The council also approved Resolution 20 25‑23 declaring various town property items as surplus for sale or disposal.
Votes at a glance: - Consent minutes and claims docket (5.1–5.3): motions made and approved; claims docket total $1,957,560.23. - Bid award — White Lake Creek stabilization (6.1): awarded to J.S. McCullough, $700,633; motion approved. - Ordinance 20 25‑15 (2026 town and fire territory budgets): approved on third reading and final adoption. - Ordinance 20 25‑16 (zoning map amendment for portion of property at 10310 and 10508 E US Highway 136): council approved amended commitments and advanced the ordinance on second and third reading as amended (vote recorded in favor). - Ordinance 20 25‑18 (2026 salaries and salary ranges): approved on first, second and third reading the same night. - Resolution 20 25‑22 (employee handbook): approved. - Motion to accept surplus police department items and transfer department duty weapon in honor of a reserve officer: approved. - Resolution 20 25‑23 (declaring surplus property): approved.
What else happened: Council received reports on recruitment, retention and open positions from Human Resources (Bailey Remender) and reports from police and fire chiefs about staffing. Community Relations noted the food drive beginning Nov. 3 (in partnership with Messiah Lutheran Food Pantry) and the upcoming Field of Honor and Veterans Day ceremony. Park repairs to the B&O Trail will temporarily close the trail for about two weeks for sealing and restriping.
The meeting closed after brief council remarks recognizing staff involved in economic development wins and community events. Several public commenters praised the council’s economic-development activity and urged transparency about use of future TIF revenues.
