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Muncie approves two-year $25,000-a-year supplement for county planning director
Summary
The Muncie Board of Public Works and Safety approved a two-year interlocal agreement with Delaware County to contribute $25,000 per year in 2026 and 2027 to raise the salary for the Delaware County Metropolitan Planning Commission director, Mayor Dan Ridenour said, and members voted unanimously to approve the agreement.
The Muncie Board of Public Works and Safety voted unanimously to approve an interlocal agreement with Delaware County that will provide $25,000 a year in 2026 and 2027 to supplement the salary of the Delaware County Metropolitan Planning Commission director.
Mayor Dan Ridenour told the board the payment is meant to keep the director’s salary competitive after long-running concerns about low pay. “She would increase that of her team, but in order to keep the budget in line, she would do that regularly, and the salary was so low that there was concern on my part and the county's part that we wouldn't find a good replacement,” Ridenour said. “We will pay, and we pay $25,000 to up that that salary alone, to make sure that we have a a capable person in that position.”
Ridenour said the agreement covers two years only — 2026 and 2027 — and specifies when and how the city will pay the amounts. He also told the board the city declined to commit beyond 2027 because of anticipated changes to state law that he said will alter how local income tax revenue may be used starting in 2028. “In '28, the way senate bill…enacted legislation… it changes the local income taxes … strictly county use and strictly city use,” Ridenour said, adding the change affects long-term budgeting.
Board members asked questions, then moved to approve the agreement. The motion passed with all members voting in favor.
The agreement was presented to the Board of Public Works and Safety at the board’s regular meeting; the city and county will each carry out the payment schedule spelled out in the interlocal agreement for the two specified years. The transcript indicates the payments will come from city funds described by Ridenour as “out of edit funds.”
Background: the Delaware County Metropolitan Planning Commission performs regional planning and development review for the city and county. The board’s approval formalizes Muncie’s short-term contribution to the commission’s director salary to help recruit or retain qualified leadership.
The board did not adopt any ongoing funding commitment beyond the two years covered in the agreement; Ridenour said county and state law changes expected in 2028 will require separate budgeting decisions then.
