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Hendricks County Council elects leaders, approves hires and emergency appropriations
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting the Hendricks County Council elected Larry Scott president and David Cox vice president for 2026, approved multiple board appointments, ratified year-end financial actions, authorized four emergency appropriations totaling $688,809 and approved an Animal Shelter Supervisor hire at $69,500.
The Hendricks County Council on Jan. 20 elected Larry Scott as Council president and David Cox as vice president for 2026 and approved a series of administrative and budget actions, including an Animal Shelter Supervisor hire and four emergency additional appropriations.
The meeting, held in the Hendricks County Council chambers, opened with President Larry Scott calling the session to order and a roll call recording Council members David Cox, Nancy Marsh, David Wyeth, Eric Wathen, Larry Hesson and Charles Parsons in attendance. After nominations, the Council voted 7-0 to elect Scott president and David Cox vice president.
Councilors approved a slate of 2026 appointments to county boards and commissions — including Area Plan Commission representation, economic development corporation seats in multiple towns and members of the Hendricks County Redevelopment Commission — and voted 7-0 to accept all nominations and approve the 2026 Council calendar.
On financial housekeeping matters the Council approved the list of 2025 Pay 2026 bonus payouts and ratified end-of-year transfers and 2025 encumbrances carried into 2026; each motion passed unanimously. Financial Administrator Paula Alkire acknowledged guidance from Council during the discussion of transfers.
Commissioner Dennis Dawes and Human Resources Director Erin Hughes recommended the most qualified candidate for the open Animal Shelter Supervisor position and asked the Council to approve an offer of $69,500. Councilor Larry Hesson moved for approval and the motion passed 7-0, authorizing the hire at that salary.
Financial Solutions Group Advisor Greg Guerrettaz presented an analysis of likely changes to the county’s Local Income Tax (LIT) after the 2026 legislative session, noting that a previously estimated LIT rate of 1.20% could fall to around 0.70% under pending legislation; he urged the Council to consider potential revenue reductions when planning budgets and capital projects.
During a public hearing the Council accepted four additional appropriation requests and approved an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance listing the following items: Jail personal services, $77,149; Health miscellaneous, $17,899; Auditor urbanized grant, $438,239; and Probation community corrections grant, $155,522. The motion to accept the four appropriations carried 7-0.
The Council also approved two reallocations: a $58,586 transfer within the Surveyor’s accounts and a $30,000 transfer within the Prosecutor’s accounts; the motion passed 7-0.
In other business the Council acknowledged a conflict-of-interest filing from Councilor Eric Wathen and received routine reports, including the Sheriff’s commissary and jail meal breakdowns and the Hendricks County Tourism Commission fund report. During the public-comment period citizen Jay Thompson raised a concern he had heard about a possible collection fee when Pittsboro assists county matters; Sheriff Sadler responded that the county and Pittsboro assist one another and that it is not presently prudent to pass fees back and forth.
The Council clarified ordinance language about the Animal Control Advisory Board and then voted to appoint Charles Parsons to that board; the motion passed 6-0-1 with Parsons recorded as abstaining. President Scott adjourned the meeting at 10:31 a.m.
Votes and formal actions taken at the meeting will be reflected in the county’s minutes and submitted documents to the Hendricks County Auditor for record.
