Council Meeting Special Call - November 2, 2026 - Part 2

Vigo County Council special-call budget meeting, November 2, 2026: Council members reviewed changes intended to produce agreement on the 2027 budget. In discussion, members supported keeping three Rise/mental-health positions funded from opioid-settlement funds, with an additional appropriation required in 2027; the fund balance was reported at about $812,850 as of June 30, though future revenue was uncertain. Members also supported retaining two sheriff’s deputies, eliminating six jailer positions (reported savings of $65,448), removing an IT network technician position, retaining an Area Planning position while eliminating about $552,000 for digital scanning, and adding an adult probation position despite the grant funding ending. The probation position was estimated at roughly $114,000 annually, with about $20,000 affecting the current-year budget. Other discussed reductions included lowering Community Crossings funding from $1.5 million to $1 million, property demolition funding to $150,000, and a convention-center payment to $260,000 from $500,000. The jail project was expected to return about $1.3 million to LIT special purpose; a jail insulation repair estimated at under $30,000 was said to be accounted for in the budget.

Members also discussed employee raises, including a proposed $4,000 flat raise for many full-time employees, a $1-per-hour increase for hourly part-time employees, and matching the public defender raise to the deputy prosecutor raise. The transcript does not record a final vote adopting the revised budget or salary ordinance. A motion to rescind the Council’s October 26 budget vote failed because the motion required unanimity and one member voted no. The Council then recessed until 5 p.m. to allow staff to revise Gateway figures and members to clarify the legal path forward. No contract awards, vendor selections, or bids were identified.