Poseyville council reestablishes capital fund rate, approves subdivision deal and adopts weed ordinance

The Poseyville Town Council on May 13 voted to reestablish the Cumulative Capital Development Fund maximum tax rate at $0.05 per $100 of assessed value, approved a subdivision development agreement with Hometown Ventures Group and adopted Ordinance 2025-05-13-01 addressing weed, grass, garbage and trash control.

Council President Justin Rutledge opened the meeting at 5:32 p.m. and the three-member council — Rutledge, Mike Baehl and Randy Rankin — approved minutes, payroll and the claims docket by roll call vote. Clerk-Treasurer Jodie Rankin told the council the CCD fund historically paid for technology and special projects and that the town’s rate had slipped from $0.05 to $0.03 because the rate was not reestablished annually. The council voted 2–1 to reestablish the maximum $0.05 rate; Rutledge voted no, Baehl and Rankin voted yes. Rankin said the town may still adopt a budget using a lower rate.

The council also approved a Subdivision Development Agreement with Hometown Ventures Group after the developer supplied an updated Exhibit A and a town representative indicated concurrence with the agreement. The motion carried with Rutledge opposed and Baehl and Rankin in favor.

Ordinance 2025-05-13-01, “Weed, Grass, Garbage, and Trash Control,” was adopted with edits recommended by Town Attorney William Bender. The ordinance includes a tiered fine schedule for repeated violations and the council voted to suspend the rule requiring a second reading so the ordinance could be adopted at the meeting.

Public safety items cleared by the council included purchasing one set of turnout gear from Hoosier Fire Protection to test durability and approving maintenance costs: $925 for vehicle 7E1 and $1,000 for extraction equipment maintenance under a lower quoted price. Marshal Carter presented the police run report and reminded residents about golf-cart inspections and yard-clipping rules.

In public comment, resident Damion Robison asked to plant a 12-foot tree in the public right-of-way after removing a previously cited tree; Marshal Carter said Robison had been found in violation of Ordinance 2016-09-14-02. The council voted unanimously to deny Robison’s request citing past cleanup costs and potential sidewalk issues.

Votes at a glance - April 8, 2025 minutes — approved (Rutledge, Baehl, Rankin: yes). - Claims Docket, Payroll Allowance, Bank Reconciliation — approved (yes). - Deny tree planting in right-of-way — approved (Rutledge, Baehl, Rankin: yes). - Reestablish CCD maximum tax rate at $0.05 — approved (Rutledge: no; Baehl: yes; Rankin: yes). - Approve Subdivision Development Agreement (Hometown Ventures Group, updated Exhibit A) — approved (Rutledge: no; Baehl: yes; Rankin: yes). - Adopt Ordinance 2025-05-13-01 (Weed, Grass, Garbage, and Trash Control) and suspend second-reading rule — approved (unanimous). - Purchase one set turnout gear (Hoosier Fire Protection) and approve maintenance ($925 vehicle; $1,000 extraction) — approved (unanimous).

Why it matters: Reestablishing the CCD fund rate restores the town’s ability to budget at the previously authorized maximum for capital projects and technology needs, including an upcoming Windows 11 upgrade; the subdivision agreement advances a private development the council said could affect future growth and shared expenditures. The weed-and-grass ordinance provides a clearer fines schedule and enforcement process for property maintenance.

What’s next: Clerk-Treasurer Jodie Rankin said she is awaiting an assessment from Lieberman’s on town technology ahead of a planned Windows 11 update in October 2025. The council scheduled its next meeting for June 17, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.