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Edgewood council plans resident forum to discuss proposed public safety fee
Summary
Council members said they will hold a town forum within the next two to four months to solicit resident input on a proposed public safety fee intended to shore up police and fire equipment and prepare for unfunded state mandates.
Council members on April 20 agreed to hold a public forum to solicit resident feedback on a proposed public-safety fee. Councilors described the fee as an expansion of the existing $5-per-month fire safety fee charged on water/sewer bills and said the purpose would be to build capacity for police and fire equipment, and to prepare for several potential unfunded mandates under consideration at the Indiana State House.
Council member Mr. Austin and others emphasized they do not want to adopt a new fee without public buy-in. Mr. Austin said the council will schedule a town forum within the next two to four months to explain the proposal and record resident input. Mr. Ferguson, speaking to equipment and training needs, said properly equipping officers and firefighters is “very expensive” and argued the town must plan for those costs.
No amount or formal ordinance was proposed at the meeting; councilors framed the item as a public-engagement step before any formal action. Officials said additional details — including proposed fee amount, whether the fee would appear on utility bills, and projected revenue and uses — will be developed and presented at the forum.
Next steps: Staff will develop a public forum plan and timeline, draft explanatory materials describing potential uses of the fee, and return to council after resident feedback.
