MUST Meeting 3 10 05 2026

The Boone County MUST (Strategic Task Force) meeting on October 5, 2026, focused on modeling possible local income tax rates and distribution formulas for county, municipal, library, township, and fire/EMS services. Members reviewed population, assessed-value, levy, and service-territory data and discussed the financial effects of different opt-in and opt-out scenarios. Whitestown’s estimated shortfall—discussed as roughly $19 million in one scenario—was a particular concern. No final rates or allocation formula were adopted, and no votes were reported. Members asked for fire and EMS call data to inform possible allocation factors; a 75% population/25% territory weighting was discussed, but not decided. Other ideas for the advisory report included increasing the library allocation flexibility, considering population and assessed value in distributions, allowing a gradual sunset rate for Whitestown, and recommending a longer annual-adoption period—at least four to five years, ideally aligned with a bond’s life—to support revenue stability and credit ratings.

Staff will prepare a draft report for review before the next meeting, with scenarios reflecting different participation choices and the discussion’s proposed adjustments; the group aims to consider a vote at that meeting if the draft is ready. The report is intended to inform the state legislature and is nonbinding. No contract awards, solicitations, vendor selections, purchasing decisions, or other procurement activity were identified.