Whiteland Redevelopment Commission adopts electronic-participation policy, passes Resolution 2025-08 (3–0–1)

The Whiteland Town Redevelopment Commission on Dec. 11 adopted Resolution 2025-08, a policy to govern electronic participation in commission meetings, passing the measure 3–0 with one abstention.

The resolution, introduced as new business, was explained by an attendee identified in the transcript as Speaker 6, who said: "Indiana statute allows for members of a governing body to participate electronically... and since this was our first time, I thought it's better go ahead and get that in place so we don't have any question about whether we have complied with the statute." The speaker said the draft mirrors the statute "nearly verbatim" and was intended to ensure compliance rather than to change existing rules.

The policy drew a short exchange before the vote. A commissioner recorded in the transcript as saying he is "old school" questioned the shift toward virtual participation, asking, "What is it you don't like the most?" and stating, "I'm just not for all of this electronic stuff." Supporters and the speaker explaining the ordinance emphasized the statute's flexibility and the need to accommodate members who cannot attend in person because of disability or weather.

Roll-call voting on the resolution was recorded as follows: Amanda Trimble — yes; Tom Carroll — yes; John (recorded in the roll call as John Venter) — yes; David Hawkins — abstain. The chair announced the motion passed "3 to 0 to 1 abstain." The transcript shows the commission chose to adopt the policy to formalize procedures for admitting remote participants, muting/unmuting protocols, and compliance with state law.

The resolution's supporters framed the action as administrative housekeeping to put the commission "on the same page" with Indiana statute; opponents or skeptics urged caution and suggested confirming statute language before adopting rules that could limit in-person requirements for public hearings. The transcript records no amendment to the draft and no further formal actions tied to the policy at this meeting.

The commission did not specify a statutory citation in the meeting record; the explanatory remarks refer only to "Indiana statute." The resolution was presented and adopted during the meeting on Dec. 11. The commission will apply the new policy to future meetings that include remote participation.

The meeting continued with other agenda items after the vote; no additional procedural votes were attached to Resolution 2025-08 during this session.