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Darmstadt council: 2026 budget filed and state-approved as town braces for SEA1 revenue cuts
Summary
Clerk‑Treasurer Mallory Lowe told the council the town’s 2026 budget was submitted to and approved by the Department of Local Government Finance; Lowe warned SEA1 will reduce revenue next year and reminded members a 2026 payroll ordinance must be adopted before year‑end.
Clerk‑Treasurer Mallory Lowe told the Town of Darmstadt council on Dec. 16 that she submitted the town’s 2026 budget to the Department of Local Government Finance and received the agency’s approval notice, which she signed and returned to the state.
The approval follows Lowe’s coordination with BOK Financial to submit the annual Lease Rental Affidavit related to the town’s taxable lease rental revenue bond series; Lowe said BOK confirmed that the bond’s collateral is the semiannual lease rental tax payments. Lowe also reported year‑to‑date town revenue of $370,055 and town expenditures of $242,451 (not counting the bond). On the utility side, she reported sewer revenue of about $647,000 and sewer expenditures of about $735,000, noting roughly $372,000 of that went to Evansville Sewer for monthly charges to Darmstadt.
The council approved routine procedural items at the meeting: Eric Gries moved to accept the prior meeting minutes (seconded by Crystal Kahre) and the motion passed 4‑0; Ray Engler moved to accept the financial report (seconded by Gries) and that vote also passed 4‑0. The council likewise approved accounts payable claims on a 4‑0 voice vote after a motion by Engler and a second from Gries.
Lowe reminded the council that the payroll ordinance for 2026 must be reviewed by HR Solutions and adopted at the December meeting so the town can upload the ordinance to Gateway and submit it to the state before year‑end. She also said the Redevelopment Commission (RDC) spending plan must be filed with the state by Dec. 1 and that Reedy Financial typically completes Gateway uploads; she noted Brandon already has Gateway access and can perform the bank reconciliations and uploads.
Lowe and AIM Field Advisor Clint Lamb discussed training and state changes under SEA1. Lamb said municipal training is voluntary: "unfortunately, no, it's not a requirement, but highly recommended to avoid repeating previous council failures and issues," and he offered AIM’s assistance in choosing municipal financial and engineering firms. Lowe summarized upcoming training opportunities and urged officials to stay current on legal and fiscal responsibilities.
Why it matters: the DLGF approval lets the town proceed under an adopted budget, but SEA1‑driven cuts to local revenue beginning in 2026 may force future adjustments to services or rates. The payroll ordinance and RDC/Gateway filings are immediate administrative deadlines that could affect compliance and cash flow.
Next steps: the council will review the payroll ordinance with HR Solutions and vote at its December meeting; staff will complete RDC paperwork and Reedy/Brandon will finalize required Gateway uploads.
