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South Whitley council approves lower-cost 2026 insurance package and advances salary ordinances
Summary
The South Whitley Town Council voted 3-0 to accept Option B of the 2026 insurance renewal (approximately $81,124), advanced two salary-related ordinances on first reading, and tabled a decision on employee bonuses to a future meeting.
Council President Brock Waterson presided as the South Whitley Town Council voted to accept a lower-cost insurance renewal option for 2026 on Nov. 25.
Trevor Kelley of Star Insurance presented two premium options to the council: Option A at approximately $91,174 and Option B at approximately $81,124. Kelley explained that the Morches Building at 112 E Front St requires separate structural coverage from Cincinnati Specialty (about $10,000) because EMC will not cover the building’s structural damage in its current condition. "Option B" was moved by Councilman Kris Shoemaker and seconded by Councilman Randy Cokl; the motion passed 3-0.
The decision reduces the town’s premium exposure while maintaining liability coverage from EMC and adding structural coverage for the Morches Building through Cincinnati Specialty. The council did not adopt a final ordinance for the insurance; the action approved the premium option presented by the insurer.
During the same meeting, the council advanced two payroll- and salary-related ordinances. Councilman Randy Cokl moved to accept Ordinance 2026-1-1 (2026 Salary Ordinance) on its first reading; Councilman Shoemaker seconded and the motion passed 3-0. The council also voted 3-0 to accept Ordinance 2026-1-1-2, which modifies the appropriation distributions used for payroll to support the 2026 budget, after its first reading.
A separate discussion about a potential 2026 employee bonus produced no decision; council members tabled the item to the next meeting to allow more time to determine an amount. Council President Brock Waterson said members needed time to consider the budget implications before finalizing any bonus amount.
Next steps: the salary ordinances remain at first-reading status pending any further readings or formal adoption, and the employee-bonus amount will be revisited at a future meeting.
