The Connersville Common Council on Dec. 1 adopted Ordinance 7067 (pending ordinance 4007) to use riverboat-fund dollars toward resolving a protracted EMS payroll lawsuit.

Presiding speaker Richard (S1) described the case as a lengthy matter in which insurance carriers at one point declined coverage, prompting the city to examine payroll and contract history. "It was some...the insurance said they're no longer carrying...for this event," Richard said while explaining the city’s decision to settle rather than pursue extended federal litigation that would raise attorney fees.

According to the meeting record, the total payment figure discussed by staff was given in the transcript as "4 and 25,000" (the record contains that phrasing). S1 said the council plans to fund $350,000 from the riverboat fund and use about $75,000 from investment income (which Rosemary identified in discussion as available) to complete the payment. S1 told the council the matter involved payroll structures dating to the 1980s and that the dispute extended beyond the initially planned two-year review period.

The council opened a public hearing on the ordinance, recorded no public comments, then moved, suspended the rules and advanced the measure through third and final reading in the same meeting; votes were taken by voice and recorded as "aye" with "motion carried."

The mayoral remarks and staff explanation stressed the decision was taken in part to avoid rising federal court costs and to resolve liabilities promptly. The ordinance's adoption will result in using a portion of the riverboat fund balance that city leaders said had been allowed to build over prior years.

Next steps: the ordinance was adopted at the meeting and staff indicated the payment will be completed by year-end using the specified mix of riverboat and investment funds.