Noblesville council approves multiple ordinances, budget transfers and union agreement; new development proposals to move forward

The Noblesville Common Council on Dec. 16 approved a slate of measures including three ordinances, two appropriation transfers, a 2026 fire meet‑and‑confer agreement and a five‑year capital equipment lease financing resolution.

Deputy Mayor Matt Light presented Ordinance 48‑12‑25 to align local code with recent state law (House Bill 1427) by removing a provision that directed the first $500,000 of food‑and‑beverage (FAB) tax receipts into the Downtown Development Fund. Light said the change keeps FAB revenues in a separate fund to comply with state requirements and to allow FAB fund revenues to finance the Embrace Downtown project. "House bill 14 27 was to keep FAB revenues by themselves," Light said. The council suspended the rules and passed the ordinance on first reading by roll call, 8‑0.

The council also approved Ordinance 46‑12‑25 (second reading), a text amendment to Section 30 of the city code that aligns the maintenance department structure and appointment authority. The motion passed by roll call, 8‑0.

Deputy Financial Officer Tom McDonald presented Ordinance 47‑12‑25 to establish appropriation authority for brokerage fees associated with the city’s investment of certain reserve balances. "The earnings this year are over $1,400,000," McDonald said, noting investment returns exceeded what would have been earned in checking. The ordinance — following a public hearing with no speakers — passed by roll call, 8‑0.

On budget items, the council approved Transfer TA‑07‑25 to cover a $96,000 remaining shortfall in park fund support for recreation program expenditures (the adopted budget already anticipated a $200,000 park fund transfer) and Transfer TA‑10‑25 to cover 2025 police personnel services shortfalls tied to overtime and special assignments. Both transfers were approved by hand vote, 8‑0.

The council also approved the 2026 meet‑and‑confer agreement with IAFF Local 4416. Deputy Mayor Light said a central change moves sworn firefighters from a 28‑day pay period to a 14‑day pay period and updates minimum staffing in line with a prior SAFER grant. The agreement passed by hand vote, 8‑0.

Deputy Controller Caitlin Kesner asked the council to authorize Resolution RC‑44‑25, a capital equipment lease purchase financing for approximately $2.7 million in equipment to be financed over five years; Kesner said Key Government Finance offered the lowest proposal at 3.62 percent. The resolution was approved by the council.

Other routine matters approved included process changes for CVAT (commercial vehicle excise tax) distribution to the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund, recognition resolutions for public safety employees, a set of 2026 committee appointments and nominations for council officer roles effective Jan. 1, 2026.

What’s next: several items heard as introductions — including three development proposals — will return to planning staff and the Plan Commission for public hearings and formal votes. The council will ratify officer nominations at its January meeting.

Votes at a glance (select items) - Ordinance 46‑12‑25 (text amendments, Section 30): Approved, roll call 8‑0. - Ordinance 47‑12‑25 (additional appropriation for brokerage fees): Approved after public hearing, roll call 8‑0. - Ordinance 48‑12‑25 (FAB tax alignment with HB 1427): Rules suspended and ordinance passed on first reading, roll call 8‑0. - Transfer TA‑07‑25 (park fund support): Approved, hand vote 8‑0. - Transfer TA‑10‑25 (police personnel costs): Approved, hand vote 8‑0. - 2026 IAFF Local 4416 meet‑and‑confer agreement: Approved, hand vote 8‑0. - Resolution RC‑44‑25 (capital equipment lease financing, ~$2.7M): Approved.

The council did not take final action on the development proposals presented that evening; those items will proceed through staff review and Plan Commission public hearings.