Howard County Council approves amended additional appropriations, transfers and two tax abatements

The Howard County Council on June 23 approved a package of budget adjustments, personnel coding changes and two county tax abatements in a meeting that moved through multiple routine financial items with brief discussion.

Auditor Jessica asked the council to approve a set of additional appropriations laid out in Ordinance 2026-HCCO-22 and explained a need for an $8,000 postage reload for the county’s postage machine. "So, I am requesting $8,000 in our postage line," Jessica said, citing certified mail and other unexpected postage demands this year. The council also heard line-item requests for coroner equipment and county extension office supplies.

Pam Issacs, representing the Board of Commissioners, asked the council to re-appropriate $48,000 returned by a local nonprofit to the economic development fund so it could be used when the nonprofit is able to complete the originally intended work. "We want to put that money back in the fund where it came from," Issacs said.

Amber Tol of the Highway Department asked council members to remove the bituminous (paving) line from this month’s appropriations after advice from the State Board of Accounts; she said she would re-advertise and return next month. Tol requested additional appropriations of $60,000 for stone to cover this year’s chip-seal program and $5,000 for an unexpected large culvert replacement near 975 West and State Road 22.

Judge Murray told the council the Circuit Court had been awarded a grant to support the Family Recovery Court and asked for council approval to accept and administer the funds through county processes. "We were awarded a grant from the Indiana Office of Court Services of $11,800 to help fund our family recovery court," Murray said, adding the money will pay for incentives, transportation and treatment-related costs for parents participating in the program.

The council also approved Resolution 2026-HCCR13, a list of inter-account transfers and bookkeeping adjustments including community corrections and juvenile detention initiative transfers. Stephanie Cole described a transfer to correct an appropriation coding issue after a grant fully covered a salary, and juvenile probation’s Connie Burton said a transfer would buy hygiene bags for youth on probation.

In new business, the council approved two county CF-1 tax abatements for Merryill Brothers, Inc. (personal property) and MB Real Estate Leasing LLC (real property). Council members spoke in favor of retaining local employers and the jobs they provide.

Votes were recorded by voice. The meeting record shows motions and seconders for each item (for example, the additional appropriations were moved and seconded by Councilman Falner and Councilman Roberts) and the chair announced the motions carried by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Approval of May 26 minutes: motion carried (mover: Councilman Falner; seconder: Councilman Sanders). - Ordinance 2026-HCCO-22 (additional appropriations, amended by removing bituminous line): approved (mover: Councilman Falner; seconder: Councilman Roberts). - Resolution 2026-HCCR13 (transfers): approved (mover: Councilman Alexander; seconder: Councilman Roberts). - Ordinance 2026-HCCO-23 (salary ordinance amendments): approved (mover: Councilman Falner; seconder: Councilman Kuthbert). - CF-1 tax abatements for Merryill Brothers, Inc. (personal property) and MB Real Estate Leasing LLC (real property): both approved in separate motions; council also authorized the president to sign the documents.

What’s next: Council members said department heads and staff will implement the approved transfers and appropriations; the Highway Department will re-advertise the paving item and return next month with a revised request. The council scheduled follow-up budget workshops later in July to prepare for the 2027 budget process under the recently passed state LIT changes.