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Frankfort council approves multiple appropriations, fee changes and PILOT agreement
Summary
The Frankfort Common Council passed several ordinances at its meeting, including appropriations for parks and equipment, an update to building and inspection fees adopted on an expedited basis, establishment of a non‑reverting building services fund, and a PILOT agreement with the Utility Service Board totaling $348,149.
The Frankfort Common Council voted unanimously to pass a package of ordinances and a resolution addressing city appropriations, fees and a utility payment during its regular meeting.
Council members approved Ordinance 26‑11 on second reading, authorizing a $7,000 grant‑administration appropriation and $55,000 for construction of new basketball courts at TPA Park. The council then approved Ordinance 26‑12 on second reading to cover replacement costs and equipment for a police vehicle when insurance proceeds proved insufficient.
The council also approved Ordinance 26‑13 on first reading, an additional appropriation to replace a 1989 backhoe used by the street department. Brian, representing street operations, said the older machine had “reached the point where regular where repair is no longer economically practical,” and described a 2018 Caterpillar with a hydraulic hammer attachment as a replacement that would reduce labor and equipment moves.
In a separate action, the council adopted Ordinance 26‑14 — an amended schedule of building permit, planning and certificate‑of‑occupancy fees and a new per‑inspection trip charge — and suspended the rules to pass the ordinance on both first and second reading at the same meeting. City staff said the changes are being advanced now because new state laws take effect this summer and include retroactivity clauses; Liz explained that staff built an inspection trip cost into fees, noting an average per‑trip cost of $56.50.
The council also passed Ordinance 26‑15 to establish a non‑reverting fund for the Building Services Department under Indiana Code 36‑7‑2.3 to segregate fee revenue ahead of budget season.
On finance, the council approved Resolution 26‑09 accepting a payment in lieu of taxes from the Utility Service Board and ratifying an agreement that makes the payment retroactive to Jan. 1. Staff reported the amount in the city’s revenue projections as $348,149.
Votes at a glance (roll‑call responses recorded in the meeting): Steve Beardsley — yes; Isaac Chavez — yes; Taylor Krenshaw — yes; John Large — yes; Robert Stevens — yes; Eric Woods — yes.
The council signaled the ordinances that required public hearings will complete remaining procedural steps at subsequent readings where required. The council adjourned ordinary business and moved on to presentations and scheduling for the budget hearings.
Next steps: Ordinance 26‑13 will return for a public hearing at second reading; staff will publish the fee schedule and complete any required 90‑day notice for fee changes adopted under Ordinance 26‑14.
