South Whitley council appoints Kris Shoemaker as vice president, approves 3% employee raise and multiple payments

South Whitley — The South Whitley Town Council on Nov. 11 appointed Councilman Kris Shoemaker as council vice president and approved a series of financial and personnel actions during a 44-minute meeting that began at 6:30 p.m.

Council President Brock Waterson opened the meeting and Clerk-Treasurer Alyssa Knepple conducted two swearing-in ceremonies, including the swearing-in of K9 Bobby with handler Officer Gage Fannin. With Trey Weber’s resignation creating a vacancy in the vice president post, Councilman Randy Cokl moved to appoint Kris Shoemaker; Waterson seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.

The council approved a 3% cost-of-living pay increase for town employees as calculated during the pre-budget public work session. Councilman Cokl moved to approve the increase; Councilman Shoemaker seconded and the motion passed 3-0.

Finance and vendor approvals were a significant portion of the meeting. Clerk-Treasurer Knepple presented Resolution 2025-11-11, which authorizes the clerk to make vendor payments via electronic funds transfer (EFT) and automated clearing house (ACH) to accommodate vendor requests for online or wire payments; the council approved the resolution by a 3-0 vote.

Utilities business included an amended approval for repairs to Well One. Utility Supervisor Kent Slater reported additional, unexpected costs and the council authorized an increased payment of $55,535.00 for repairs after a motion by Councilman Cokl that passed 3-0. Slater also reported that Mulberry Street paving and Main Street landscaping work was expected to finish within a week or two, with API hoping to reopen by Thanksgiving.

The council approved $12,935.51 in repairs to the utility vacuum truck, payable to BEC. Slater said the truck is in good condition but needed maintenance; Councilman Shoemaker moved the measure and it passed 3-0.

Marshal Chad Schipper asked the council’s permission to purchase four shotguns at $800 apiece (total $4,800); Clerk-Treasurer Knepple said funds remain in the 2025 budget to cover that purchase. Schipper also reported preliminary talks to buy a used drone from the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department for $3,000 and said he is working with Town Attorney Greg Hockemeyer and the insurance company on liability coverage to allow officers to use a private-family shooting range for training. No formal motion to purchase the drone or weapons was recorded in the minutes.

On funding allocation, Knepple noted recent legislative changes give municipalities discretion over CVET distributions. She said South Whitley typically receives about $4,000 annually and recommended receipting that money into the rainy-day fund; Councilman Shoemaker moved to do so and the council voted 3-0 in favor.

Routine approvals also passed unanimously: acceptance of the Oct. 28, 2025 meeting minutes; accounts payable vouchers (APVs) totaling $156,606.80; and payrolls of $5,921.53 (Nov. 5) and $18,985.76 (Nov. 12). Attorney Hockemeyer said he will review receipts provided by resident Brian McCarty for property improvements at 206 and 208 S. State St. and meet with Council President Waterson to address title-transfer paperwork.

The meeting ended at 7:14 p.m.

Votes at a glance: appointment of Kris Shoemaker as vice president — motion passed 3-0 (Waterson, Shoemaker, Cokl); Resolution 2025-11-11 (EFT/ACH authority) — passed 3-0; 2026 meeting schedule adoption — passed 3-0; 3% employee raise — passed 3-0; amendment to Well One repair to $55,535.00 — passed 3-0; vacuum truck repair $12,935.51 — passed 3-0; receipt of CVET to rainy-day fund — passed 3-0; minutes, APVs and payroll approvals — each passed 3-0.

Next steps: staff to present the Starlite Estates billing adjustment amount at the next meeting; Attorney Hockemeyer to review Mr. McCarty’s receipts and follow up with council leadership; staff to monitor completion of Mulberry Street and Main Street work.