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Event transcript
I pledge allegiance to the flag. 00:00:00
Of the United States of America. 00:00:02
And to the Republic. 00:00:04
For which it stands one nation. 00:00:05
Under God. 00:00:08
Indivisible. 00:00:09
With liberty and justice for all. 00:00:10
OK. Thank you everybody for being here. This is the third joint public hearing of the Board of Fire Trustees of Georgetown. 00:00:19
Township Fire Protection District. Highlander Fire Protection District. 00:00:26
And New Albany Township. 00:00:29
Fire Protection District. 00:00:31
For the issue of Highlander joining the Floyd County Fire Territory. 00:00:33
We'll start with the roll call. 00:00:38
For Georgetown, I'm Michael Moody. I am the chairman of the Georgetown Township Fire Protection District. 00:00:40
Mark Ringenburg is not here. 00:00:46
Mark, are you participating virtually? 00:00:50
OK. 00:00:54
Jeffrey McNulty here. 00:00:55
Kyle Johnson. 00:00:58
Tom Fisher. 00:00:59
Do we put you down as 1 1/2? 00:01:01
OK, Highlander. Mr. Smith. 00:01:04
Matt Smith, chairman here. 00:01:07
Billy Stewart. 00:01:10
Michael Bloom. 00:01:11
Heather Schunkweiler and I think Bill Fender is on. 00:01:13
Teams. 00:01:17
OK. 00:01:18
Mr. Shears. 00:01:20
Scott Sears, chairman. 00:01:23
New Albany Township. 00:01:25
And you're kidding. 00:01:26
Daniel Jacobs. 00:01:29
Kyle and. 00:01:30
All present. 00:01:31
Thank you. 00:01:32
OK, we have a quorum from all three boards. 00:01:33
We'll go ahead and roll right into. We have two presentations. 00:01:36
This will be the third time that we have. 00:01:42
Presented them to the public. 00:01:44
They have not changed, so if you've seen them before. 00:01:46
You can sing along with your. 00:01:48
Hymnal. 00:01:50
The reason that we are here is to discuss. 00:01:52
The expansion of the Floyd County fire territory. 00:01:55
To include filing Highlander. 00:01:57
Fire Protection District. 00:01:59
So what is a fire territory? 00:02:06
When two or more taxing units, townships, municipalities, or fire districts. 00:02:08
That share physical borders. 00:02:13
Can join to form a new fire territory or may join an existing fire territory. 00:02:15
There are three fire districts in Floyd County. 00:02:20
Georgetown Highlander in New Albany Township. 00:02:23
Georgetown. 00:02:26
And New Albany Township. 00:02:27
Are already participants in the fire territory. 00:02:29
In May of 2024, New Albany Township approached Georgetown about forming a fire territory. 00:02:35
And the fire territory was started. 00:02:40
January 1st of this year. 00:02:43
Highlander Fire District has expressed an interest in joining Floyd County Fire territory. 00:02:45
As part of a large scale update to Fire EMS in Floyd County. 00:02:50
So why join fire territory? 00:02:59
Good. Thank you. 00:03:02
In addition to what's on the screen there. 00:03:07
Read some additional information. 00:03:10
By expanding the training division. 00:03:12
We will be able to better provide education and skill development for our members. 00:03:15
Will increase manpower on both the Highlander's engines, raising the number of crew members from 3:00 to 4:00. 00:03:19
Which will improve operational efficiency and safety. 00:03:25
Each of the Highlander stations also has a tanker. 00:03:28
Because a lot of that area is more of a rural nature. There are not hydrants. 00:03:31
Throughout the entire community. 00:03:35
So by staffing 4 on an engine, we ensure that there are three on the engine to respond to a fire. 00:03:37
And one on the tanker if needed. 00:03:43
Instead of only two on an engine, which is not a good idea. 00:03:45
We're also proposing adding three safety officers. 00:03:49
Who will also serve as fire marshals? 00:03:52
Those positions are vital to ensuring the safety of our members during emergency incidents, as well as protecting the community. 00:03:54
And by bringing all County Fire departments together under unified policies and procedures. 00:04:01
We will create one professional. 00:04:06
Department. 00:04:08
Capable of operating safely and efficiency. 00:04:09
Efficiently at emergency incidents. 00:04:11
This unified approach will further enhance both member and community safety. 00:04:14
So each fire district. 00:04:23
Will be a participating unit. 00:04:25
And this is from Indiana State statute. 00:04:27
The expansion will include Highlander. 00:04:30
As a. 00:04:33
Participating Unit. 00:04:34
Georgetown Township Fire Protection District is the provider unit. 00:04:36
And we'll continue in that role. 00:04:39
Chief Ned Wiseman is the chief of the Fire Territory. 00:04:41
Chief Tim Franklin. 00:04:45
Will be deputy chief of the Suppression Division. 00:04:47
And Chief Jake Barnes will be the deputy chief of the support. 00:04:49
Division. 00:04:52
All current firefighters will be employed by the single department. 00:04:54
Georgetown. 00:04:57
Under the fire territory. 00:04:58
And the existing 2023 collective bargaining agreement between Georgetown and the International Association of Firefighters. 00:05:00
Local 5393, as amended, will remained as the CBA for the fire territory. 00:05:07
I know this is a little bit of an eye chart and. 00:05:15
Can be a. 00:05:18
Difficult to see, especially on a smaller screen. 00:05:19
The take away? 00:05:22
Is that? 00:05:23
The territory we are proposing would have 85 positions. 00:05:25
85 employees. 00:05:29
Two of them would be office administrative. 00:05:31
A financial officer. 00:05:34
And an admin HR assistant. 00:05:36
There are three command staff members. 00:05:40
The Chief. 00:05:42
And two deputy chiefs. 00:05:43
Everybody else below. 00:05:45
Those three positions. 00:05:47
Is a firefighter. 00:05:49
And technically the command staff or firefighters also. 00:05:50
Another way of phrasing it would be. 00:05:54
Merit firefighters. They get hired into a position and have a rank. 00:05:56
Our proposal is to have. 00:06:01
80. 00:06:02
Merit firefighters. 00:06:03
Plus the three command staff members out of 85. 00:06:04
We're talking about 80. 00:06:07
3. 00:06:09
People in the department. 00:06:10
Would be firefighters. 00:06:12
Two appointed staff positions of assistant chief. 00:06:14
10 majors. 00:06:18
20 Captains. 00:06:19
18 sergeants and 30 firefighters. 00:06:20
Once the. 00:06:25
Construction project is completed on Budd Rd. 00:06:27
The territory would staff. 00:06:30
6 fire stations in the community. 00:06:32
We've talked about this a little bit in the past. 00:06:35
The location of the fire stations is a. 00:06:38
Component of the legacy Volunteer Fire departments that used to protect our communities. 00:06:41
203040 years ago. 00:06:47
As the community grows, population shifts. There may be. 00:06:50
They need to move fire stations or build new ones. 00:06:54
But for the foreseeable future, what we are proposing is staffing. 00:06:57
The six stations that are listed, Oh, I'm sorry. 00:07:01
Better listed down there in the corner. 00:07:08
All of those stations currently exist except Bud Rd. 00:07:11
Which is in the process of. 00:07:14
Building a new Firehouse. 00:07:17
This is the budget. 00:07:22
You can see that there are 85 positions on the top. 00:07:24
And then it breaks out into. 00:07:28
Standard Indiana State Board of Accounts accounting format. 00:07:31
The proposal that you're going to see from Baker Tilly. 00:07:36
In a little bit. 00:07:40
Is what we are calling a worst case scenario? 00:07:42
Because of some changes in state law. 00:07:45
This budget is proposed to be financed. 00:07:49
Strictly or solely by? 00:07:53
Property tax. 00:07:55
Levy if. 00:07:57
The territory has access to local income tax. 00:07:59
We would offset. 00:08:03
The property tax levy, dollar for dollar. 00:08:04
Historically, the fire districts have been funded by a combination of. 00:08:09
Property tax levy. 00:08:13
And local income tax. 00:08:14
Senate Enroll. Act One. 00:08:17
SCA One. 00:08:19
Got rid of a lot of the local income tax that local government used to help finance the services that are provided to the 00:08:23
community. 00:08:26
So we. 00:08:31
Are uncertain. 00:08:32
If local income tax will be a component of the revenue available to the territory. 00:08:33
But. 00:08:39
We have committed. 00:08:39
That it will be offset. 00:08:41
If we do receive local income tax. 00:08:43
When we made our. 00:08:45
Presentations last year. 00:08:47
For the creation of the territory, which started January 1st this year. 00:08:49
We. 00:08:54
All of the revenue would come from property taxes. 00:08:56
We were able to get some local income tax this year. 00:08:58
And we offset that. 00:09:02
Property tax levy, We reduced it and lowered it. 00:09:04
Based on us getting the local income tax. 00:09:07
And that is our intention going forward. 00:09:09
If we're able to get local income tax in the future. 00:09:12
So the process for expanding the fire territory is set by statute. 00:09:18
Between January 1st and March 31st of the year. 00:09:21
Each district must hold three public hearings to educate the community. 00:09:24
What we've done here is an attempt to try and make it. 00:09:29
Easier and simpler for the community. We're having all three boards meet at one time. 00:09:32
As opposed to each board having three meetings. 00:09:37
That way the community doesn't have to go to 9. 00:09:40
Meetings you. 00:09:43
Only have to come to three of them. 00:09:43
This is the third. 00:09:45
And final public hearing to educate the community. 00:09:47
By statute, we are then required to hold a fourth adoption meeting. 00:09:50
To vote on resolutions to expand the territory. 00:09:54
That meeting will also be held in this room. 00:09:57
On March 11th at 5:30. 00:10:00
And if approved. 00:10:03
Highlander Fire Protection District would join the fire territory effective January 1st, 2027. 00:10:04
Yeah. OK. So I'm going to. 00:10:14
Pivot now and thankfully. 00:10:18
Allow Susan Cohen to give a presentation on the impact to the community as far as taxes. 00:10:21
Baker Tilly is the top 10 worldwide CPA firm and preeminent advisory tax and assurance firm in Indiana. 00:10:27
And we're very grateful Susan drove down from Indianapolis. 00:10:33
Join us this evening. 00:10:36
Do you want to use? 00:10:37
I'm gonna use this microphone. Thank you. 00:10:39
Sorry, my back to everybody again tonight. 00:10:45
Good evening. 00:10:49
The statute that controls formation of the fire territory tightly controls what information must be provided at each of these 00:10:50
meetings. 00:10:54
If you haven't been here previously or you got here before me tonight, there are copies of my presentation at each door if you 00:10:57
don't already have one. 00:11:01
But we have to discuss. 00:11:06
The impacts. 00:11:07
To taxpayers. 00:11:08
Within. 00:11:10
These three fire districts taxing areas. 00:11:11
As well as potential impacts to other units in the county. 00:11:13
So Michael's pretty well effectively covered already why they're joining. 00:11:19
They're choosing to go forward with the territory, why they did it last year and why they're expanding this year. 00:11:23
Georgetown will continue to operate. 00:11:31
As what's called the provider unit. 00:11:34
These three boards together will form 1 Fire Territory Advisory Board. 00:11:37
But one unit acts as the point of tax receipt, and somewhat. 00:11:42
Of the administrative functions for the territory. 00:11:46
They will then be responsible for putting the budget together. 00:11:50
Because these are all fire districts, they still have to go before the County Council for ultimate approval of their budgets each 00:11:53
year. 00:11:56
So Georgetown in working with the others and the boards. 00:12:00
Will take care of that going forward as well. 00:12:03
So these rates would change. 00:12:07
With taxes effective and payable in 2027. 00:12:09
All the work they did last year set a new rate for this year. 00:12:14
And anything that changes this year? 00:12:18
Would set a new tax rate for next year. 00:12:20
So the way that we determine what the new required tax rate is to support the fire territory, we look currently first at what the 00:12:24
units. 00:12:29
Currently pay for fire service. 00:12:33
What kind of receipts they're bringing in for their current budgets? 00:12:36
And then how much of that is actually property tax? 00:12:39
We determine what that current rate is. 00:12:43
We then. 00:12:46
Determine what the rate is based upon the budget they've provided. 00:12:47
For the revised or expanded territory. 00:12:51
Evaluate what the net impact is. 00:12:54
Between the existing and the new because statute says if you form a fire territory. 00:12:57
All existing rates for fire are removed and replaced with the new. 00:13:02
Fire territory rate. 00:13:06
Then we look at what how that rate. 00:13:10
Impacts taxpayers. 00:13:11
Within the taxing districts for these fire districts. 00:13:13
And then potentially how these? 00:13:17
The fire territory changes could impact other units across the county. 00:13:19
So this schedule shows how the units are currently paying for fire service. 00:13:25
And not all of this, in either case, is property tax. 00:13:29
Any unit that receives property tax also receives something called motor vehicle highway tax. 00:13:33
So that's whether it's a library, a school or a county. If you get property tax, you get a share. 00:13:39
Of the motor vehicle highway taxes in the county. 00:13:44
Based upon relative proportion of levy when you compare it to all levies in the county. 00:13:49
So currently on the left hand side of the screen. 00:13:54
That's the current territory between the New Albany District and the Georgetown District. 00:13:57
They have operating receipts. 00:14:02
Of not quite six and a half million dollars six point. 00:14:05
4 to 8 million. 00:14:08
And then they currently have what's called an equipment replacement fund or a capital fund. 00:14:10
In that capital fund they get almost $600,000. 00:14:14
That's a total for them of $7,026,000 and. 00:14:18
26800. 00:14:22
26,800 Sorry. 00:14:24
And then? 00:14:26
Highlander on the other side. 00:14:27
Their current operating receipts are. 00:14:29
5,017,400. 00:14:31
And there. 00:14:34
Capital fund is 437,600. 00:14:35
Like I said, not quite all of that is property tax. 00:14:39
When we look at the portion of it that is property tax. 00:14:42
The current rate for the Highlander District in 2026. 00:14:45
Is .3039. 00:14:49
Or slightly over $0.30. 00:14:51
Per $100.00 of net assessed valuation. 00:14:53
For the the territory, the current Floyd County territory. 00:14:57
Their rate this year is .39. 00:15:00
1. 00:15:03
So after we determined what that is, we next look at the budget. 00:15:05
That was provided. 00:15:09
Michael showed you the budget as well. This is just another copy of it. 00:15:10
And then we on this page. 00:15:16
Determine what the rate is necessary to support. 00:15:18
Fire. 00:15:21
We do take into account. 00:15:22
Those motor vehicle excise taxes that the territory will will receive. 00:15:24
So it's not right now considered 100%. 00:15:28
Property tax, but it is mostly property tax. 00:15:31
And as Michael referenced, if they find that they have access to other revenues in the future. 00:15:34
They can make adjustments. 00:15:39
And bring the amount of property tax down. 00:15:40
To allow. 00:15:43
In the eventuality that they give property or local income tax from the county in the future. 00:15:43
So right now based upon the budget and this is both the capital and the operating at the same time. 00:15:50
The operating. 00:15:56
Is based upon the detailed budget that was turned in. 00:15:58
That doesn't include things like fire trucks or buildings. It's not big capital it can include. 00:16:01
Smaller, what they call annually replaceable capital. 00:16:07
Like Scott Air packs, breather packs. 00:16:10
Turn out gear some PPE. 00:16:13
Those kind of things can be included in operating, but it doesn't have any of your large apparatus. 00:16:15
The equipment replacement fund. 00:16:20
The capital portion. 00:16:22
Is where they can either accrue that money. 00:16:24
Year after year to save up to purchase an apparatus. 00:16:26
Or use it to make lease payments on an apparatus. 00:16:30
Or. 00:16:33
Buy lease payments on a building, loan payments, anything of that nature. 00:16:34
So anytime I talk about tax rate. 00:16:38
Going forward, I'm looking at both types. 00:16:41
The operating and the capital that equipment replacement fund is held. 00:16:44
To a maximum rate of .0333. 00:16:48
It will not get larger. 00:16:51
The other rate, the other portion for operating. 00:16:54
This is basically their. 00:16:57
Way to set a new levy for the first year of the territory, meaning next year of the revised territory. 00:17:00
Going forward, it will only grow based upon what's called the Max Levy Growth quotient. 00:17:06
That is the amount at which. 00:17:11
Every other unit in the state. 00:17:13
The county, any libraries, any schools, any towns, any townships. 00:17:15
Can grow their levees. 00:17:19
The past few years that's been 4%. 00:17:21
And we understand that in the current legislation. 00:17:23
Legislative session, they're in a cap it at 4% again for this coming year. 00:17:26
So it's not. 00:17:29
In future years, there won't be growth greater than what any other unit in the state is allowed growth wise. 00:17:32
On that operating levy if they ever want to. 00:17:38
Make a big leap again for any reason. 00:17:41
They would have to go through this whole process again and somebody new would also have to join the territory. 00:17:43
So whether that's. 00:17:49
Another unit from. 00:17:50
This county, another unit from the county next door. You have to add units at any point. 00:17:52
To get growth greater than the Max levy growth. 00:17:57
So for the first year of the territory. 00:18:01
We're estimating that the new rate will be .3683. 00:18:04
This is the row across the bottom of this. 00:18:08
Page of the presentation. 00:18:10
The second year. 00:18:13
Based upon growth and of what we were assuming in net assessed value. 00:18:14
It's .3617. 00:18:19
And then in the third year of the territory, 2029. 00:18:21
It's .35. 00:18:24
552 or a little over $0.35. 00:18:26
Another thing we have to discuss is debt. 00:18:31
Exist units that have existing debt cannot roll that debt into the fire territory. 00:18:35
So currently New Albany Township. 00:18:40
Has some outstanding debt. 00:18:43
And the Lafayette Township portion of the Highlander District has some debt. 00:18:45
So there's information here about those individual. 00:18:49
Debt issuances. 00:18:52
New Albany's will be up the end of 2029. 00:18:54
And Highlander, the one for Lafayette Township portion of Highlander goes out a little bit further to 2036. So those rates stay. 00:18:57
With the portion. 00:19:04
Of the. 00:19:06
Of the. 00:19:07
Taxing districts that were originally. 00:19:08
Subject to that debt levy. 00:19:10
The fire territory cannot itself issue debt. 00:19:13
It would have to be the responsibility of one of the underlying providing. 00:19:17
Fire districts to do that. 00:19:21
But at current, there are no plans for any future debt issuances. 00:19:22
For the territory. 00:19:26
So this page. 00:19:32
Shows the impact. 00:19:33
To the individual taxing districts. 00:19:35
Within. 00:19:38
That what would be the expanded territory? 00:19:39
So a taxing district. 00:19:42
Involves one where you live. 00:19:44
And what? 00:19:46
Units within the county. 00:19:47
Have the authority. 00:19:48
To tax on that property. 00:19:50
So when you pay your property taxes, it doesn't go just one place in the county, it goes multiple places. Some of it goes to the 00:19:52
county, some of it goes to the Township, some of it goes to a school, some of it goes to the library. 00:19:58
So those are what we talk about is taxing districts, each individual taxing unit. 00:20:03
Has a rate. 00:20:08
Then those units are rates are combined to a district rate. 00:20:09
So in this case there are 6 taxing districts affected. 00:20:14
Even though there's technically 3 taxing units. 00:20:18
Each one has. 00:20:22
Multiple just. 00:20:23
Taxing districts within it so. 00:20:25
For the current. 00:20:27
This page. 00:20:29
Is the current. 00:20:30
Fire territory as it is now. 00:20:31
That's Georgetown Township. 00:20:32
Georgetown Town and New Albany Township. 00:20:34
So for Georgetown Township. 00:20:37
Their current district rate is 1.7772. 00:20:39
If you take out their current rate which is .3910 and replace it with the new territory rate. 00:20:44
A .3683. 00:20:50
In this case, it's actually a net decrease. 00:20:52
For the current territory. 00:20:54
Their new rate would be 1.7545. That's about a 1.3%. 00:20:57
Decrease. 00:21:01
Georgetown Town. The math is the same. The result is slightly different. 00:21:03
Because. 00:21:07
Currently. 00:21:08
Paying the same rate for fire and we're replacing it with the same rate. That's why their net impact is the same for each one. 00:21:09
So the new rate for Georgetown Town would be 2.0060. 00:21:16
That's about a 1.1% decrease. 00:21:22
The new rate for New Albany Township would be 1.7709. 00:21:24
Again, about a 1.3%. 00:21:28
Increase. 00:21:31
This page then covers the three new districts that would come in under Highlander. 00:21:33
Greenville Township, Greenville Town and Lafayette Township. 00:21:38
They all have relatively similar tax rates, currently 1.68291.7243. 00:21:42
And 1.7046. 00:21:48
When you replace. 00:21:51
The rate they're currently paying of .3039 with the .3683 for year one. 00:21:52
That's a net impact of .0644. 00:21:58
Each of them receive about a 3.7 to 3.8% increase in the tax rate. 00:22:02
So remember I have some examples coming up. 00:22:07
For different value homes and how that changes? 00:22:10
Potentially, the value of the tax bill for those homes. 00:22:12
But if your home isn't one of the values I'm discussing, remember these percentages. 00:22:16
If you apply it. 00:22:20
To your. 00:22:22
Current tax bills are what your tax bills, when you get them in April, will look like if you live in Greenville Township. 00:22:22
And you on your primary home if you take. 00:22:30
The current bill, the amount that you're paying. 00:22:33
Multiply it times 1.038. 00:22:36
Taking into account that 3.8% increase. 00:22:38
That would give you an idea of what your tax bill would be if the territory is expanded and you're brought in. 00:22:42
To the territory. 00:22:48
The next page is a summary. 00:22:50
Of all of those. 00:22:52
Annual impacts in one place actually going out, then to 28 and 29. 00:22:53
Really. 00:22:59
The biggest impact is the first year. 00:23:00
On. 00:23:02
The current Highlander district from then on everybody house has pretty much the same. 00:23:03
Annual slight decrease of about 4/10 of a percent. 00:23:07
Going forward. 00:23:11
And that's because we are accounting for some estimate of net assessed value growth. 00:23:12
In general, as net assessed value grows, tax rates decrease. 00:23:16
If there's a larger increase in net assessed value. 00:23:20
Tax rates could decrease more than we are anticipating here. 00:23:23
So we have a couple illustrative examples here. 00:23:28
Different homes at different values in different districts. 00:23:30
So for example on. 00:23:36
This one the top line. 00:23:38
Is if. 00:23:40
You have a $150,000 value. 00:23:40
That's your taxable value, not what you bought your house for. 00:23:44
Not what you can sell your house for. Not what Redfin tells you your house is worth. 00:23:47
This is what comes every year on your assessment that you get from the county auditor. 00:23:51
So this is that number if your house is near 150,000 you live in. 00:23:56
The Georgetown Township District, Taxing district, Georgetown Town or New Albany. 00:24:01
You will have about a $14.00 annual decrease in your tax bill in 2027. 00:24:06
If the territory goes into place. 00:24:11
If you live in the current Highlander district. 00:24:15
You have about a $39.00. 00:24:17
Annual increase to your tax bill roughly $3 a month. 00:24:19
And then? 00:24:24
If your home value and that that. 00:24:27
Item we have in the center that 267,100. 00:24:29
Is what we found that says the average tax value of a home is. 00:24:32
In. 00:24:37
Floyd County in these in these areas. 00:24:38
So again, if you're in the current Georgetown, New Albany district, it's about a $29.00 annual decrease to your bill. 00:24:41
In the current Highlander district, it's about an 83 dollar annual increase. 00:24:47
Stepping up. 00:24:52
One more level to a $300,000 home. 00:24:53
If you're in the current. 00:24:57
Georgetown or New Albany District, about a $34 annual decrease. 00:24:58
And in the Highlander District, it's about a $95 annual increase. 00:25:03
This is sort of a visual to show you on the. 00:25:10
Property value of that mid range. 00:25:12
Or that average home that 267,000? 00:25:14
Just how the difference? 00:25:17
Comes down There's one of these for each of the taxing districts. 00:25:19
I'll explain one of them. 00:25:22
And if you you know find yours on a subsequent page, if you have a question, please feel free to let me know. 00:25:23
So in this case, we're looking at the Georgetown Township. 00:25:28
District. 00:25:32
Their current tax bill? 00:25:33
In 26. 00:25:34
Is estimated at. 00:25:36
$2298. 00:25:37
If the territory is revised. 00:25:40
In place. 00:25:43
For 27, that bill would be $2269. 00:25:44
That's that roughly $29.00 decrease I referenced on the previous page. 00:25:48
This also illustrates the district rate that I was talking to you about earlier. There's a chunk there for the New Albany School. 00:25:52
There's a piece for the New Albany Library. 00:25:59
A piece for Floyd County, there's a small piece for. 00:26:02
The other. 00:26:04
Services that Georgetown Township provides. 00:26:05
And then that sort of orange part. 00:26:08
Is current fire service. 00:26:10
So if your home is in that range of 267,000. 00:26:12
Dollars. 00:26:16
Assessed Value. Gross. Assessed Value. 00:26:17
You're currently paying about 5:05 for fire. It'll drop to roughly 476. That's the fire portion. 00:26:20
Of the bill. 00:26:26
So that's what that decrease I said came in. 00:26:27
We will take a look at 1:00. 00:26:31
Though for the. 00:26:33
Highlander District. 00:26:36
To show you. 00:26:37
What 1 looks like with an increase. 00:26:39
So this is the Greenville Town District. 00:26:42
Again. 00:26:44
This bill currently would start. 00:26:45
And 26 at 2231 dollars. 00:26:47
With if the territory is approved and goes forward in 27, that again everything is is the same except that orange piece of the pie 00:26:51
that's fire. 00:26:55
So currently. 00:26:59
Fires about $383. 00:27:01
It would then go up to 470. 00:27:04
$6. 00:27:06
If the territory goes through. 00:27:08
And that roughly it will be the same actually the. 00:27:10
The fire change will be the same for all of the taxing districts that are in the Highlander district. 00:27:13
Of course we know that not. 00:27:20
There's other types of property, not just your primary residential home. 00:27:22
This schedule shows some other illustrative property types. 00:27:27
We have agricultural land. 00:27:31
Agricultural land is considered in the same tax calculation as. 00:27:33
Second homes. 00:27:37
Rental homes, Assisted living facilities. 00:27:38
So we look at residential rental and agricultural land. Those are both what are considered. 00:27:42
2%. 00:27:46
Tax cap properties. I'll talk more a little bit more about tax caps here in a couple slides. 00:27:47
So in this case. 00:27:53
The top three lines again are the current Georgetown and New Albany district if you have a $100,000 piece of agricultural land. 00:27:54
That bill will drop by about $23 a year. 00:28:01
In the current Highlander district, that bill would increase roughly $64 a year, or about $5.00 a month. 00:28:04
A $300,000 either rental property or combination of rental properties or someone's second or vacation home in the area. 00:28:10
If you're the current Georgetown and New Albany district, it would decrease by about $68. 00:28:18
If you are in current Highlander district, the increase would be about $193 annually and this is annually. Not on each portion, 00:28:23
not on each semi annual portion of your tax bill. 00:28:29
And then on commercial property? 00:28:35
If you have a $500,000 piece of commercial, whether that's business, whether it's business, personal property, whether it's just 00:28:38
basically any property that doesn't fall into the other classifications. 00:28:43
Current New Albany and Highlander districts. 00:28:48
Would see about $114.00 annual decrease. 00:28:50
Then the Georgetown Highlander district, I'm sorry, would see roughly a 322 dollar annual increase. That's about $27.00 a month. 00:28:54
So that's the information that I have on. 00:29:05
Taxpayer impacts. 00:29:08
The last few slides I have are on impacts to other units in the county. And when I say other units in the county I don't mean 00:29:09
people that live in other townships like. 00:29:13
People that live in Franklin Township, their tax bills won't change. 00:29:18
Because of the territory. 00:29:21
But the revenues that Franklin Township itself receives as a unit of government could potentially change. 00:29:23
The first way that can change. 00:29:30
Is because of circuit breaker tax cap credits. 00:29:32
This links back to the. 00:29:35
1%, two percent, 3% properties I just mentioned. 00:29:37
Indiana has something written into their tax code in their constitution called Circuit breaker tax caps. 00:29:41
Prior to 2012. 00:29:47
There was no limit. 00:29:49
To what a tax bill could be. 00:29:50
Each year. 00:29:52
It could vary widely up and down. 00:29:52
A lot of people complain to their. 00:29:55
Legislators about that. It took him a number of years to figure out the plan, but in 2012 they put tax caps into place. 00:29:57
It created a maximum amount. 00:30:04
For tax bills. 00:30:06
Based upon the gross assessed value of your home. 00:30:08
That gross assessed value again is what I said the. 00:30:11
Auditor sends you each year, usually in June, that says what you're. 00:30:14
Assessed value is in your home for the upcoming year. 00:30:17
So if your home is your primary residential, your primary home. 00:30:21
In normally up to about one acre of land. 00:30:25
That's considered a 1% property. 00:30:28
Or homestead credit property. 00:30:31
So if it's about $100,000. 00:30:34
Your Max bill would be $1000. 00:30:36
So if due to tax rate, that bill calculates at higher than 1000. 00:30:39
With certain exceptions, such as school debt, that's been voted by referendum. 00:30:43
You don't. The homeowner does not pay it. And then? 00:30:48
Government units don't collect it. 00:30:50
So each unit across the county has what's called circuit breaker loss. It's a combination from. 00:30:53
The calculations and the limitations on each type of property. 00:30:58
1% properties are treated differently than all others. 00:31:02
1% properties, as long as you've gone to the auditor's office and you've filed your homestead credit. 00:31:05
You get a $48,000 deduction off the top. 00:31:11
Value of your The gross assessed value of your home. 00:31:14
You then receive a percentage based supplemental deduction. 00:31:17
And right now? 00:31:21
If your home is worth $100,000 you. 00:31:22
Pay on roughly. 00:31:24
38 to $39,000 of that. So your tax bill is not calculated. 00:31:26
On the full $100,000. 00:31:30
For your primary residential. 00:31:32
Residents, I'm sorry, it's calculated on what's called the net assessed value. 00:31:34
Or gross assessed value. 00:31:38
Less those two deductions. 00:31:39
Historically. 00:31:43
The 2% properties have not had any deductions similar to that, however, in 2026. 00:31:44
Again, because of Senate Enrolled Act One. 00:31:50
We will start a six year step in of deductions on 2% properties. 00:31:52
Agricultural Residential. 00:31:57
Residential. 00:31:58
Traditionally, those 2% properties. 00:32:00
Their Max bills. 00:32:01
Have been 2%. 00:32:03
Of their gross assessed value. 00:32:05
So if it's a $100,000 piece of property, the Max bill is $2000. 00:32:07
Starting this year. 00:32:12
There will be a 6%. 00:32:13
Deduction in that gross assessed value. 00:32:15
So they want you will now be charged. 00:32:18
Your tax bill will be calculated on roughly 94%. 00:32:20
Of your gross assessed value and you'll have a net assessed value that's different than gross assessed. 00:32:24
Then on the 3% properties. 00:32:30
The commercial and everything else. 00:32:32
Their Max bill can be. 00:32:35
3%. 00:32:36
Of the total gross assessed value. 00:32:37
So that would be $3000 on a $100,000 piece of property. 00:32:39
So again, because of those calculations if. 00:32:44
Units hit their tax caps. 00:32:47
In general, if you have tax rates at $2.00. 00:32:50
The agricultural properties. 00:32:54
And residential rental homes. 00:32:56
And. 00:32:57
Second residential, second homes. 00:32:58
Hit their tax caps. 00:33:00
It depends on the what the tax rate is for the. 00:33:02
1% There's no hard and fast rule. 00:33:07
Usually when you hit 1.7 to 1.8, there's. 00:33:09
Tax cap loss. 00:33:13
Because of Senate Enrolled Act One, there are new credits that are being now applied to tax bills that will create. 00:33:14
More loss to governmental units. 00:33:21
So what that means is. 00:33:23
Your tax bills will likely be lower in 2026 than they were in 25. 00:33:24
Because of a new credit. 00:33:29
But units will also have more. 00:33:31
Cap loss. 00:33:34
So that cap loss is going to happen in 2026, whether the fire territory goes into place or not. 00:33:36
For other units. 00:33:43
So this page is all. 00:33:44
Representing. 00:33:46
Lost revenue, I should have have them negative but I don't so. 00:33:47
If we look at Floyd County. 00:33:51
Because of. 00:33:53
Senate enrolled Act One in 2026. They're expecting about $1.3 million in property tax loss. 00:33:55
In 2027, about. 00:34:02
1.356 without the new territory going in place. 00:34:04
So it goes up. 00:34:09
By about $45. 00:34:11
$45,000. 00:34:13
Because of the territory in 2027 for the county. 00:34:15
So the county. 00:34:18
Obviously be losing money anyway, but it does increase a bit with. 00:34:20
The expansion of the territory, because in general, when you add levy. 00:34:25
You get more units potentially getting to their circuit breaker tax caps. 00:34:31
And then with the new credits, there will also be loss. 00:34:36
So that's why we experience when you add new levy, it increases the circuit breaker loss going forward. 00:34:40
And of course the. 00:34:46
Territory will lose some of its own. They're highlighted there in Peach at the bottom. 00:34:48
The territory will lose. 00:34:53
When it expands Levy potentially in 2027. 00:34:55
Will lose between their. 00:34:58
Both operating and capital funds about $1.7 million. 00:35:00
The other kind of revenue we'll discuss is local income tax. 00:35:06
You know, Michael referenced earlier that the current local income tax structure is being revamped. 00:35:10
We as the way legislation is today, it's in 2028, it's being revamped. 00:35:14
If it gets adopted in time by Friday, it may be pushed out to 2029. 00:35:20
Traditionally. 00:35:26
Anything that happens with local income tax causes changes to other units revenues. 00:35:28
A year behind? 00:35:33
So in 2026. 00:35:34
Any changes? 00:35:37
Made in the territory would potentially affect. 00:35:38
2027. 00:35:41
But that did not happen because. 00:35:43
These units now do not receive. 00:35:46
Their own. 00:35:48
Local income tax. 00:35:49
So 2026. 00:35:52
Local income tax will flow into 2027 and 2027 will only be affected by. 00:35:54
Any growth in AGI across the county because local income taxes are. 00:36:00
Taxes that come off of your paycheck. 00:36:04
So whether you work here or over in Clark County. 00:36:06
Your HR person takes the. 00:36:10
The county tax rate out of your paycheck that comes back to the county. 00:36:12
And the county then distributes it based upon the types and rules. 00:36:16
That go along with those types. 00:36:20
Of what they have adopted in the county. 00:36:22
Conversely, if somebody. 00:36:24
Lives in Clark County but works here. 00:36:25
Their local income tax goes back to Clark County with them. 00:36:27
So currently. 00:36:31
Here there is certified shares, local income tax. 00:36:33
That goes to the county unit, municipal units, Township units. 00:36:37
Normally it would go to fire districts. 00:36:42
It goes to libraries. 00:36:45
It's it's shared more widely across the county. 00:36:47
The next two types, public safety and economic development. 00:36:49
Those go only to the county unit. 00:36:53
And to the municipal units it does not go. To townships it does not go. 00:36:56
Currently to districts or fire territories. 00:37:00
There's a correctional facilities lit. 00:37:03
That goes straight to the county for jail purposes. 00:37:05
There's something called property tax relief. 00:37:09
Which is used to lessen the impact of. 00:37:12
Circuit breaker loss that I just discussed. 00:37:16
But that will be going away in 2028 or 2029, depending upon legislation. 00:37:18
Then there is also. 00:37:24
Judicial system split that goes directly to the county for use in the county court system. 00:37:26
So that top type the certified shares total. 00:37:31
Is traditionally allocated based upon. 00:37:35
A unit's portion of their levy as a proportion of all the levees in the county. 00:37:38
So if the county levy is equivalent to 25% of all the levies in the county. 00:37:43
They would get 25% of the certified shares lit that would come back to them. 00:37:48
But because of Senate enrolled Act One. 00:37:54
We do not expect changes impacting. 00:37:57
Being impacted by the fire territory. 00:38:00
Even if the legislation gets bumped back. 00:38:03
A year. 00:38:05
Any change that would flow because of? 00:38:07
The territory. 00:38:10
Will have to be approved by the county. 00:38:11
Otherwise there will be no change if they stick with the 28 implementation. 00:38:14
There are some. 00:38:19
Some information here about the new types. 00:38:21
One potential type going forward is something called Fire and EMS specific lit. 00:38:25
It's no longer general public safety. General public safety can currently be used for fire, EMS, or police. 00:38:29
Under the new schema, unless it's somehow changed. 00:38:35
It would only be for fire and EMS service. 00:38:38
The county can use a portion of it to pay for any contracts they have. 00:38:41
Or they can give it directly to territories, districts and municipal fire departments. 00:38:45
If they choose, they can also give it to volunteer departments. 00:38:49
Or. 00:38:53
Township Departments. 00:38:54
But going forward, that would be the one kind to keep your eye on to see what the county does with that in 2028 or after. 00:38:56
So the schedules I have showing lit are basically showing no change because any change that occurs will not be due to the fire 00:39:03
territory. 00:39:06
Anything would be either legislative or due to changes in adjusted gross income. 00:39:11
The last kind we have to talk about is vehicle excise taxes. Those are the taxes I referenced that you pay when you go. 00:39:16
To the license branch for your car, your truck, your boat. 00:39:22
This does not mean that your plate taxes are going up. 00:39:25
Because of the territory. 00:39:28
This just means that it will be reallocated across the county. 00:39:30
So by adding Levy. 00:39:34
To the territory. 00:39:36
The territory stands to bring in. 00:39:37
More. 00:39:40
Of the motor vehicle taxes than they did previously. 00:39:41
So it's reallocated. 00:39:45
It was reallocated this year slightly towards the territory from how it was last year. 00:39:47
And if the territory is expanded, it will be reallocated going again. 00:39:53
Next year. 00:39:56
So that concludes my presentation. 00:40:01
I will say that we have another technical function that we have to do tonight called an equipment replacement fund. 00:40:04
So I believe we will. 00:40:11
Go ahead and take questions now. 00:40:13
On anything about the general presentations that you've heard so far? 00:40:15
We will close the public hearing related specifically to the fire territory. 00:40:19
We will then open a second public hearing. 00:40:24
That will be specifically for the equipment replacement fund. 00:40:26
At which time, Keith. 00:40:29
And I will both provide some more information. 00:40:31
OK. Thank you, Susan. And before we go to the next, I just want to point out one thing that. 00:40:37
We got some feedback from the community on our previous presentations. 00:40:42
The slides that Susan Susan showed where there's a decrease. 00:40:47
In the levy for Georgetown Township, New Albany Township and a. 00:40:52
Increase for Highlander. 00:40:56
That decrease? 00:40:58
For Georgetown Township in New Albany. 00:41:00
Was already built in. 00:41:03
To the creation of the territory. 00:41:05
Whether Highlander joins the territory or not. 00:41:08
The levy for Georgetown and Albany Township is going to go down. 00:41:11
In 2027. 00:41:15
And the reason that happens is. 00:41:17
When you create a fire territory. 00:41:19
The state allows you to collect a little bit extra. 00:41:23
Cash the first year. 00:41:26
So you can pay your bills. 00:41:28
The next year. 00:41:29
But that goes away after the first year. 00:41:31
So whether or not Highlander joins the territory. 00:41:33
The levy is going to decrease for Georgetown Township. 00:41:37
Georgetown Town in New Albany Township. 00:41:41
Next item on our agenda is legal presentation. I'll turn it over to Mr. Pulliam. 00:41:44
Good evening. Uh, my name is Keith Poliam. I'm with the. 00:41:50
Law firm of stalking in. 00:41:53
And I've worked with the Georgetown Township Fire Protection District for quite some time now. 00:41:55
I've been asked I'm I'm going to. 00:42:01
Go quickly this time I won't bore everyone to tears like the last meeting. 00:42:03
But this time I was going to just hit a few high points. 00:42:09
If you think about conceptually what a fire territory is, it's not a merger. 00:42:13
It's not a. 00:42:19
Consolidation per say it is. 00:42:22
In essence, we have 3. 00:42:24
Units. We have 3 governmental units that are all coming together. 00:42:26
And contracting with each other. 00:42:31
To provide. 00:42:33
Fire Protection under one umbrella called the Floyd County Fire Territory. 00:42:35
Under that you heard reference to a provider unit SO1. 00:42:40
Unit has to have their fire department serve in that capacity. 00:42:43
And. 00:42:48
The other units, actually all of the units here are all. 00:42:50
Participating units. 00:42:54
And. 00:42:55
So again. 00:42:56
None of these governmental units go away with a fire territory. 00:42:58
They continue. 00:43:02
But their purpose changes. 00:43:03
They just become participants in the overall fire territory. 00:43:05
So in this. 00:43:09
Iteration we've. 00:43:11
The the attorneys are working on a draft resolutions. Those resolutions would be considered at the next hearing, which would be 00:43:13
the adoption hearing. 00:43:17
And the attorneys have also worked on a interlocal agreement. 00:43:22
There's a current interlocal agreement which is just a contract between. 00:43:25
New Albany Township and Georgetown Township's Fire Protection districts for the current territory. 00:43:30
And that new interlocal would just add Highlander. 00:43:35
Under the new Interlocal, there would be a uniform tax rate has been described. 00:43:39
You've already heard about the. 00:43:45
Dissipated units and who's the provider unit? 00:43:46
There would be two funds. Those funds are the operating fund and the equipment replacement fund that you heard mentioned too. 00:43:49
Those would essentially replace the funds that exist now for all three units. They've already done that for Georgetown. 00:43:57
As far as how it would work from a structural standpoint. 00:44:05
Under the agreement being considered. 00:44:09
The. 00:44:11
There would be a creation of a joint board. 00:44:13
That joint board would have. 00:44:15
3 appointees from each of the participating units, for a total of 9. 00:44:17
And one sitting Commissioner. 00:44:23
Which would be an EMS advisory member. 00:44:25
And then that joint board of 10 people would appoint a chair, a vice chair and a secretary. 00:44:28
That joint board would have administrative, budgetary and fiscal powers and responsibilities for. 00:44:35
The fire territory. 00:44:41
And moving forward. 00:44:42
The each of the participating units would contribute their money. 00:44:45
In this case, two of the units have already contributed. 00:44:50
Into the territory, but Highlander, if they join, would. 00:44:53
Contribute. 00:44:56
Their money, their equipment and apparatus to the fire territory. 00:44:57
Just the point of distinction here. 00:45:01
Each of the units retains the assets and ownerships to their fire apparatus to their equipment. 00:45:03
To their fire stations they are just agreeing contractually to make those of use to the fire territory. 00:45:11
So again, it's not a true merger consolidation, but it is a. 00:45:18
Coming together for everyone working together. 00:45:22
For one, unified. 00:45:25
Department. 00:45:27
And any newly acquired assets that would be? 00:45:29
Those might become territory assets. There would be. 00:45:33
A mechanism by which, if ever. 00:45:36
There was a withdrawal or a dissolution of the territory that those would be equitably. 00:45:39
Divided. 00:45:43
And that's. 00:45:44
Pretty much the highlights for that. 00:45:45
OK. Thank you, Keith. 00:45:52
Next agenda item are public comments. 00:45:54
The way we've done this in the past is if anybody wishes to make public comments, there's a sign up sheet over here. If you could 00:45:58
please sign up. 00:46:01
And then? 00:46:05
Step up to the microphone. 00:46:06
We've generally tried to limit it to about 3 minutes so everybody gets a chance, but if we've got extra time. 00:46:08
Running a little bit over, we haven't. 00:46:15
Shut anybody down. 00:46:17
So far. 00:46:19
So any public comments? 00:46:20
Sorry. 00:46:48
Hello everyone. My name is Trevor Combs and I serve as the President of the Floyd Knobs Professional Firefighters Local 5426. 00:46:49
We proudly represent the firefighters and EMS personnel of the Highlander Fire Department. 00:46:57
Throughout the formation of this territory and the entire transition process. 00:47:01
We have consistently extended grace and respect both our department board. 00:47:04
And the territory. 00:47:08
We have worked diligently and alongside the other union to ensure we are active, cooperative participants in this process. 00:47:11
We were reassured by county officials that we would not lose a dime. 00:47:17
Because we believed in the vision being presented. 00:47:20
Unfortunately, it is now become apparent. 00:47:23
That not only are we facing a loss in compensation, but the loss is substantial. 00:47:25
We are losing longevity pay. 00:47:30
Our insurance costs are increasing. 00:47:32
We are losing earned time off. 00:47:33
We are losing specialty pay. 00:47:35
Our pension base is being reduced. 00:47:37
While a required contributions increase. 00:47:38
These changes represent a significant financial and professional setback for the men and women that serve this community every 00:47:41
day. 00:47:44
Additionally. 00:47:47
Being told who can and cannot be part of the Union is beyond comprehension. 00:47:48
That action is deeply concerning. 00:47:52
And to understand. 00:47:54
To my understanding, a statutory violation. 00:47:55
I strongly urge our board. 00:47:58
To take these concerns into serious consideration. 00:47:59
To the Territory Board, I hope you understand that trust and respect, once lost, are not easily restored. 00:48:03
Thank you for your time. 00:48:07
Thank you. 00:48:11
If you could sign in please. 00:48:18
OK, great. Thank you. 00:48:20
Good evening. 00:48:28
My name is Kelly Hammer. 00:48:29
And I'm a lifelong resident of Boyd County. 00:48:31
I want to start out by. 00:48:34
That I'm not against change. 00:48:36
And I'm aware that change is inevitable. 00:48:38
And needed. 00:48:40
In today's society. 00:48:41
Across all facets of light. 00:48:43
However. 00:48:46
I have a few concerns regarding. 00:48:48
This consolidation which I just realized the sun was be called that but I'm calling it that. 00:48:50
Of Highland fire. 00:48:56
Into the fire territory. 00:48:57
First and foremost. 00:49:00
Is my distrust. 00:49:02
Of the county commissioners. 00:49:05
Red flag #1. 00:49:08
A few of the commissioners. 00:49:10
Had and still may have. 00:49:13
Ties with Jamie Knoll. 00:49:17
Red flag #2. 00:49:20
Highlander Fire. 00:49:23
Has been given an ultimatum. 00:49:25
By these Commissioners. 00:49:28
That states. 00:49:30
If you don't join the territory. 00:49:31
We will no longer. 00:49:34
Fund your fire ambulance. 00:49:36
I think we can all agree. 00:49:41
That our far ambulance services. 00:49:44
And those. 00:49:47
Pointy is. 00:49:48
Whom oversee these services? 00:49:49
Should always. 00:49:52
Put our county residents. 00:49:54
1st. 00:49:56
Especially. 00:49:58
When 80 plus percent. 00:50:00
Of emergency calls. 00:50:02
Are medical. 00:50:04
In my opinion. 00:50:06
That. 00:50:08
By the Commissioners. 00:50:10
Speaks volumes. 00:50:12
And points. 00:50:15
To hidden agendas. 00:50:16
By the Commissioners. 00:50:18
Red flag #3. 00:50:21
Highland. 00:50:24
Local Union. 00:50:25
Is considered. 00:50:27
Better. 00:50:29
By pay and benefits. 00:50:31
Then Georgetown's current local. 00:50:34
In the current. 00:50:38
Interlocal agreement. 00:50:39
It states. 00:50:41
That all firefighters. 00:50:42
Would move to Georgetown's local. 00:50:44
However. 00:50:48
There were. 00:50:49
Going discussions going on about. 00:50:52
Georgetown. 00:50:55
Moving to Highlands local. 00:50:57
Due to the better pay and benefits. 00:50:59
But Georgetown? 00:51:03
Suddenly. 00:51:04
At this 11th hour. 00:51:06
Decided. 00:51:08
It doesn't want. 00:51:09
To change locals and doesn't want to discuss that any longer. 00:51:10
So this means that the Highland firefighters would lose money? 00:51:15
And benefits with this consolidation? 00:51:19
So I'm once again wondering. 00:51:22
If these talk. 00:51:25
Broke down. 00:51:27
At this late date. 00:51:28
Due to more hidden agendas. 00:51:30
Highlander Fire. 00:51:34
Is a first class institution. 00:51:35
All you need to do is look at our history. 00:51:39
Are accolades. 00:51:41
Training, response times, etcetera to know this. 00:51:43
I am worried we will lose. 00:51:47
Excellent firefighters. 00:51:50
If union change. 00:51:52
Is made. 00:51:54
And the firefighters lose money and benefits. 00:51:55
In closing. 00:52:00
Let me say. 00:52:02
That I am not naive in thinking. 00:52:03
That the time. 00:52:06
I have spent coming to these meetings. 00:52:08
For the last two months. 00:52:10
Nor my voice opposing. 00:52:12
This consolidation. 00:52:16
Makes a difference. 00:52:18
The decision for Highlander Fire to join the territory. 00:52:20
Has already been made behind closed doors. 00:52:24
And these meetings and discussions. 00:52:27
Have only been a formality. 00:52:29
Once again. 00:52:32
Politics. 00:52:34
Has played its hand. 00:52:35
And the residents of Floyd County. 00:52:38
Was Delta losing hand? 00:52:40
Through raise taxes. 00:52:43
Decreased services. 00:52:46
Possibility of staffing. 00:52:48
And loss of wages. 00:52:51
Thank you. 00:52:54
Thank you. 00:52:55
Hello. 00:53:09
My name is Jim Baker. 00:53:10
I'm a Sergeant for Highlander fire. 00:53:11
I've got a big ask for you guys. 00:53:16
And I know this has to, the decision has to come from the Commissioner. 00:53:19
But. 00:53:23
With the power of all three boards put together. 00:53:25
If you. 00:53:28
Could impress upon the commissioners. 00:53:30
To extend our. 00:53:32
Emergency medical services contract one year. 00:53:34
And push forward. 00:53:37
The signing. 00:53:39
Of us potentially joining the territory for one year. 00:53:41
That gives. 00:53:45
More time for planning. 00:53:46
More time for. 00:53:48
More proposals. 00:53:50
More time for. 00:53:52
Better judgment. 00:53:54
And decision making. 00:53:56
We all feel that this is being. 00:53:59
That were being rushed into it. 00:54:01
And as the territory. 00:54:03
Is supposed to provide. 00:54:05
Better service to the citizens and. 00:54:07
All for better positions for the firefighters, well. 00:54:10
It's not going to do that. 00:54:13
We're going to lose. 00:54:14
Top notch EMS people. 00:54:16
We're going to lose firefighters. 00:54:19
And it will just. 00:54:22
It will not be good for. 00:54:25
The services in the public. 00:54:27
So I'm asking you. 00:54:29
To impress upon the Commissioners. 00:54:31
The push this movement forward just one year. 00:54:33
Ask for an extension of the EMS contract. 00:54:37
And push forward one year. 00:54:40
And we'll have more time. 00:54:42
To make better decisions. 00:54:45
At that time. 00:54:48
Thank you. Thank you. 00:54:49
Hello, I'm Josh Norman, Battalion Chief, Highlander Fire Department. 00:55:23
I would like to impress upon. 00:55:29
This word how many people will leave? 00:55:31
If we lose our benefits. 00:55:34
And I'm one of them. 00:55:37
I will admit that publicly. 00:55:38
That's really all I have to say. 00:55:44
I'll sign it here in a minute. 00:55:54
So I just want to. 00:55:56
Say this just for clarification purposes, so I'm sorry, can you introduce yourself? 00:55:58
I'm sorry, Jeff Dixon. 00:56:03
Thank you SO. 00:56:04
I want the public to understand that, like it or not, the local government implemented A funding source for EMS completely 00:56:08
separate from the fire department. 00:56:11
So. 00:56:16
This this lady over here mentioned Jamie Knoll. 00:56:17
So. 00:56:20
And mentioned the past so. 00:56:21
Essentially by maintaining what? 00:56:24
The county is doing right now. 00:56:26
Is you're going to take tax money that is taxed from everyone in this county? 00:56:27
And give it to 1 taxing district. 00:56:32
To provide a service that they choose to provide. 00:56:35
When the county commissioners and the county government is required to provide it and they and they created a funding. 00:56:39
To fund the service that they are required to provide. 00:56:45
But they're being asked to hand over money. 00:56:49
And turn around and walk away with no oversight of where that money goes. 00:56:52
It seems to me like that's been trialed before in this county and I don't think it really worked out too well for anybody. 00:56:57
So. And it's nothing against. 00:57:03
What's currently being done? 00:57:06
There's some phenomenal people here. 00:57:08
But if you turn around and do it again, you're just. 00:57:10
You're kicking the can down a road again. 00:57:13
And you're allowing history to repeat itself. 00:57:15
With no tracking of where that money goes. 00:57:17
And so. 00:57:21
What I what I had said before. 00:57:22
Was. 00:57:25
If if everybody's OK with that, then. 00:57:26
New Albany Township, go right. Georgetown, check for $4 million and turn around and walk away. You have no control over where that 00:57:29
money goes. 00:57:32
Highlander ride at the Georgetown, Georgetown ride at the Highland, or whatever. 00:57:37
The only way. 00:57:40
To increase the services. 00:57:42
And to stop. 00:57:44
And solve a 40 year old problem. 00:57:46
Is to have structure. 00:57:48
Transparency and accountability of the taxpayer's money. 00:57:50
Who are the ones who are funding? 00:57:55
The entire. 00:57:57
Funding source for the proposed. 00:57:59
Service. 00:58:01
So that's all I've got to say. 00:58:03
Thank you. 00:58:05
Jeff Yep. 00:58:08
Thank you. 00:58:09
Any other public comments? Thank you. 00:58:15
I'm Aaron. I'm Aaron Simpson. I'm a Captain Highlander. 00:58:27
I just want to kind of reiterate what a couple of our guys have already said. 00:58:31
There's not anybody in this county that I don't think this is. 00:58:35
The direction of this county needs to go. 00:58:38
But there needs to be some thought. 00:58:41
Some planning. 00:58:42
Some big exercises done between all boards. 00:58:44
To make sure this is successful. 00:58:46
Because right now the way that this is currently set up. 00:58:49
Your EMS is not going to be successful because your EMS employees. 00:58:52
That are coming from us, those guys are going to look elsewhere. 00:58:55
Because they're not going to get their benefits. 00:58:59
They're not going to get their pay. 00:59:01
It's not from the lack of them not wanting to be here. 00:59:02
They had to provide for their family. 00:59:05
With them not being able to provide for their family. 00:59:06
Then in turn, they're not able to provide for our community. 00:59:09
We want what's best for our community. 00:59:12
And we want what's best for our people as well. 00:59:14
So I ask you. 00:59:16
To please take that into consideration. 00:59:18
Think about this if we need to. 00:59:20
Kick the can down the road for a year. 00:59:23
To make this work. 00:59:25
Then that's one year. 00:59:26
Let's make this work for everyone. 00:59:28
For this is done right. 00:59:30
And done once. 00:59:32
In the history of Floyd County. 00:59:33
This. 00:59:35
Has never happened. I've grown up here my whole life. 00:59:36
You've never got to see. 00:59:38
Every board in one setting. 00:59:40
Considering. 00:59:42
To be Floyd County fire. 00:59:42
They've always been. 00:59:44
On their own. 00:59:45
So this right here. 00:59:46
Is awesome. 00:59:48
But let's do it the right way. 00:59:49
Let's do this where it's successful for the. 00:59:51
County. 00:59:53
Let's do it worse successfully for your employees. 00:59:54
So we keep that top. 00:59:56
Level. 00:59:57
Knowledge. 00:59:59
In this county. 01:00:00
Thank you. 01:00:01
Bye, Karen. 01:00:03
Any other? 01:00:17
Public comments. 01:00:18
OK, the next agenda item are board comments. 01:00:21
I think we. 01:00:25
I remember which way we started last time, but. 01:00:28
They think. 01:00:30
OK. Anybody? 01:00:33
1. 01:00:36
OK. 01:00:38
Hello. 01:00:44
It's on, I do. 01:00:46
Thank you. 01:00:49
I think. 01:00:50
Quickly, first of all, I want to thank everyone who came up and spoke. 01:00:51
Because I think it does matter and I think we are listening. 01:00:55
So I think it's important. Thank you guys for coming up. 01:00:59
I do think that we haven't. 01:01:02
Recent history. 01:01:04
Kind of highlighted some areas of concern. 01:01:05
And those aren't going unnoticed. 01:01:09
So I think that that's stuff that we're actively working to resolve right now. 01:01:12
Between the boards. 01:01:17
But I want to assure you guys that that. 01:01:18
Is happening in those conversations are happening. We're trying to get this resolved. 01:01:20
As equitably as possible going forward. 01:01:24
Anybody else? 01:01:35
OK. 01:01:38
Thank you very much I'll. 01:01:39
Echo Mike's Michael's comments. 01:01:41
The state mandates that we have three of these public hearings, but really the intent is to be able to have a conversation with 01:01:45
the community. 01:01:48
So that we are able to hear. 01:01:51
And listen. And as Michael said, we are hearing and listening. 01:01:54
Those comments don't just go off into a vacuum. 01:01:59
So thank you very much for those that did make comments today. 01:02:02
At this point, I'm going to go ahead and close. 01:02:06
The public hearing. 01:02:08
For the expansion of the territory. 01:02:10
And upon closing it. 01:02:14
This is just an administrative task that. 01:02:16
Susan mentioned earlier. 01:02:18
We are now going to open the public hearing for the equipment replacement fund. 01:02:20
And I'll pass. 01:02:25
The mic over to Mr. 01:02:26
This will be a lot quicker. 01:02:30
Just so you know. 01:02:31
OK. 01:02:36
Notice was given to the taxpayers of a hearing on a proposed Fire Protection Territory Equipment Replacement Fund for the Flake 01:02:37
County Fire Territory. 01:02:41
That was to occur tonight. I received the proof of publication for the sake of the record. It ran on February 13th and it ran on 01:02:45
February 20th of 2026. 01:02:50
And what is being considered is the establishment of an equipment replacement fund. 01:02:55
In connection with the expansion of the Floyd County Fire Protection territory. 01:03:02
The provider unit, as you've heard, is going to be Georgetown Fire Protection District to participate in units are all at this 01:03:06
table. 01:03:09
The tax levied would be the point 0333 that you heard. 01:03:12
Miss that you heard Susan discuss earlier. 01:03:17
And the taxpayers appearing at this hearing will have the right to be heard at this public comment and just a few minutes. 01:03:20
If there's anything else you think we need to cover. 01:03:27
I I don't think so. Do you want to talk about the? 01:03:31
Impact or. 01:03:34
Impacts were covered already in. 01:03:38
Information that I gave. 01:03:40
The current fire territory has an equipment replacement fund at 3 and a third cents. 01:03:41
If expanded, the new territory would have the same capital equipment. 01:03:46
Find the frame third sense. 01:03:51
The only difference? 01:03:53
Really in the process. 01:03:54
Is the equipment replacement fund is subject to what is called remonstrance? 01:03:56
Meaning if you would like to go to under Diana Toppings office. 01:04:00
Within 30 days after. 01:04:05
The territory votes to put an equipment replacement fund in place. 01:04:07
You can file with colony remonstrance or grievance or. 01:04:12
In opposition to the territory, if there's enough, it gets bundled up and goes to the That's 25 people. 01:04:15
It goes to the Department of Local Government Finance. 01:04:22
The remonstrance of the. 01:04:25
Just to understand Remonstrance the equipment replacement fund. 01:04:27
Does not affect. 01:04:30
Territory itself. 01:04:31
Is not Vermonters in the legislation for the territory? 01:04:32
So if you have specific Vermonters on the equipment replacement fund, you can file that at the auditor's office within 30 days of 01:04:37
the publication of the notice in the in the newspaper, which will happen. 01:04:42
If the boards to phone because that they won't go ahead with the next step. 01:04:47
It just somehow the expansion ability. 01:04:51
Does not happen. 01:04:54
The current territory stays in place with its own equipment replacement fund. It doesn't have to be reestablished. 01:04:55
It only has to be established. 01:05:00
If they vote to proceed. 01:05:02
So that was listed in the notification. 01:05:04
Yeah. So I mean there are specific details about the remonstrance process and the number of taxpayers required to. 01:05:09
Petition. You can find that notice on the website for the fire territory. 01:05:15
And you can find that. 01:05:19
It was also published. 01:05:21
And again, this is public hearing for comment on that. 01:05:23
If the territory is adopted, then again we would publish notice of that adoption and that would start that. 01:05:27
The timing on that process. 01:05:33
OK, so and I'm sorry if this is a little bit confusing. 01:05:39
If there are any public comments. 01:05:42
On the creation of the equipment replacement fund. 01:05:44
For the expansion of the Floyd County fire territory. 01:05:48
Now is the opportunity for somebody to make public comments. 01:05:51
OK, no public comments then. I'll ask if there are any board comments. 01:05:59
Mr. Smith. 01:06:08
OK. 01:06:10
All right. In that case, I'll take a motion to adjourn. 01:06:12
Close. close the public hearing. 01:06:15
So motion to close the public hearing and adjourn. 01:06:20
Jeffrey, thank you very much. We are adjourned. 01:06:23
Thank you. 01:06:26
Thank you everybody. 01:06:27

Transcript

Event transcript
I pledge allegiance to the flag. 00:00:00
Of the United States of America. 00:00:02
And to the Republic. 00:00:04
For which it stands one nation. 00:00:05
Under God. 00:00:08
Indivisible. 00:00:09
With liberty and justice for all. 00:00:10
OK. Thank you everybody for being here. This is the third joint public hearing of the Board of Fire Trustees of Georgetown. 00:00:19
Township Fire Protection District. Highlander Fire Protection District. 00:00:26
And New Albany Township. 00:00:29
Fire Protection District. 00:00:31
For the issue of Highlander joining the Floyd County Fire Territory. 00:00:33
We'll start with the roll call. 00:00:38
For Georgetown, I'm Michael Moody. I am the chairman of the Georgetown Township Fire Protection District. 00:00:40
Mark Ringenburg is not here. 00:00:46
Mark, are you participating virtually? 00:00:50
OK. 00:00:54
Jeffrey McNulty here. 00:00:55
Kyle Johnson. 00:00:58
Tom Fisher. 00:00:59
Do we put you down as 1 1/2? 00:01:01
OK, Highlander. Mr. Smith. 00:01:04
Matt Smith, chairman here. 00:01:07
Billy Stewart. 00:01:10
Michael Bloom. 00:01:11
Heather Schunkweiler and I think Bill Fender is on. 00:01:13
Teams. 00:01:17
OK. 00:01:18
Mr. Shears. 00:01:20
Scott Sears, chairman. 00:01:23
New Albany Township. 00:01:25
And you're kidding. 00:01:26
Daniel Jacobs. 00:01:29
Kyle and. 00:01:30
All present. 00:01:31
Thank you. 00:01:32
OK, we have a quorum from all three boards. 00:01:33
We'll go ahead and roll right into. We have two presentations. 00:01:36
This will be the third time that we have. 00:01:42
Presented them to the public. 00:01:44
They have not changed, so if you've seen them before. 00:01:46
You can sing along with your. 00:01:48
Hymnal. 00:01:50
The reason that we are here is to discuss. 00:01:52
The expansion of the Floyd County fire territory. 00:01:55
To include filing Highlander. 00:01:57
Fire Protection District. 00:01:59
So what is a fire territory? 00:02:06
When two or more taxing units, townships, municipalities, or fire districts. 00:02:08
That share physical borders. 00:02:13
Can join to form a new fire territory or may join an existing fire territory. 00:02:15
There are three fire districts in Floyd County. 00:02:20
Georgetown Highlander in New Albany Township. 00:02:23
Georgetown. 00:02:26
And New Albany Township. 00:02:27
Are already participants in the fire territory. 00:02:29
In May of 2024, New Albany Township approached Georgetown about forming a fire territory. 00:02:35
And the fire territory was started. 00:02:40
January 1st of this year. 00:02:43
Highlander Fire District has expressed an interest in joining Floyd County Fire territory. 00:02:45
As part of a large scale update to Fire EMS in Floyd County. 00:02:50
So why join fire territory? 00:02:59
Good. Thank you. 00:03:02
In addition to what's on the screen there. 00:03:07
Read some additional information. 00:03:10
By expanding the training division. 00:03:12
We will be able to better provide education and skill development for our members. 00:03:15
Will increase manpower on both the Highlander's engines, raising the number of crew members from 3:00 to 4:00. 00:03:19
Which will improve operational efficiency and safety. 00:03:25
Each of the Highlander stations also has a tanker. 00:03:28
Because a lot of that area is more of a rural nature. There are not hydrants. 00:03:31
Throughout the entire community. 00:03:35
So by staffing 4 on an engine, we ensure that there are three on the engine to respond to a fire. 00:03:37
And one on the tanker if needed. 00:03:43
Instead of only two on an engine, which is not a good idea. 00:03:45
We're also proposing adding three safety officers. 00:03:49
Who will also serve as fire marshals? 00:03:52
Those positions are vital to ensuring the safety of our members during emergency incidents, as well as protecting the community. 00:03:54
And by bringing all County Fire departments together under unified policies and procedures. 00:04:01
We will create one professional. 00:04:06
Department. 00:04:08
Capable of operating safely and efficiency. 00:04:09
Efficiently at emergency incidents. 00:04:11
This unified approach will further enhance both member and community safety. 00:04:14
So each fire district. 00:04:23
Will be a participating unit. 00:04:25
And this is from Indiana State statute. 00:04:27
The expansion will include Highlander. 00:04:30
As a. 00:04:33
Participating Unit. 00:04:34
Georgetown Township Fire Protection District is the provider unit. 00:04:36
And we'll continue in that role. 00:04:39
Chief Ned Wiseman is the chief of the Fire Territory. 00:04:41
Chief Tim Franklin. 00:04:45
Will be deputy chief of the Suppression Division. 00:04:47
And Chief Jake Barnes will be the deputy chief of the support. 00:04:49
Division. 00:04:52
All current firefighters will be employed by the single department. 00:04:54
Georgetown. 00:04:57
Under the fire territory. 00:04:58
And the existing 2023 collective bargaining agreement between Georgetown and the International Association of Firefighters. 00:05:00
Local 5393, as amended, will remained as the CBA for the fire territory. 00:05:07
I know this is a little bit of an eye chart and. 00:05:15
Can be a. 00:05:18
Difficult to see, especially on a smaller screen. 00:05:19
The take away? 00:05:22
Is that? 00:05:23
The territory we are proposing would have 85 positions. 00:05:25
85 employees. 00:05:29
Two of them would be office administrative. 00:05:31
A financial officer. 00:05:34
And an admin HR assistant. 00:05:36
There are three command staff members. 00:05:40
The Chief. 00:05:42
And two deputy chiefs. 00:05:43
Everybody else below. 00:05:45
Those three positions. 00:05:47
Is a firefighter. 00:05:49
And technically the command staff or firefighters also. 00:05:50
Another way of phrasing it would be. 00:05:54
Merit firefighters. They get hired into a position and have a rank. 00:05:56
Our proposal is to have. 00:06:01
80. 00:06:02
Merit firefighters. 00:06:03
Plus the three command staff members out of 85. 00:06:04
We're talking about 80. 00:06:07
3. 00:06:09
People in the department. 00:06:10
Would be firefighters. 00:06:12
Two appointed staff positions of assistant chief. 00:06:14
10 majors. 00:06:18
20 Captains. 00:06:19
18 sergeants and 30 firefighters. 00:06:20
Once the. 00:06:25
Construction project is completed on Budd Rd. 00:06:27
The territory would staff. 00:06:30
6 fire stations in the community. 00:06:32
We've talked about this a little bit in the past. 00:06:35
The location of the fire stations is a. 00:06:38
Component of the legacy Volunteer Fire departments that used to protect our communities. 00:06:41
203040 years ago. 00:06:47
As the community grows, population shifts. There may be. 00:06:50
They need to move fire stations or build new ones. 00:06:54
But for the foreseeable future, what we are proposing is staffing. 00:06:57
The six stations that are listed, Oh, I'm sorry. 00:07:01
Better listed down there in the corner. 00:07:08
All of those stations currently exist except Bud Rd. 00:07:11
Which is in the process of. 00:07:14
Building a new Firehouse. 00:07:17
This is the budget. 00:07:22
You can see that there are 85 positions on the top. 00:07:24
And then it breaks out into. 00:07:28
Standard Indiana State Board of Accounts accounting format. 00:07:31
The proposal that you're going to see from Baker Tilly. 00:07:36
In a little bit. 00:07:40
Is what we are calling a worst case scenario? 00:07:42
Because of some changes in state law. 00:07:45
This budget is proposed to be financed. 00:07:49
Strictly or solely by? 00:07:53
Property tax. 00:07:55
Levy if. 00:07:57
The territory has access to local income tax. 00:07:59
We would offset. 00:08:03
The property tax levy, dollar for dollar. 00:08:04
Historically, the fire districts have been funded by a combination of. 00:08:09
Property tax levy. 00:08:13
And local income tax. 00:08:14
Senate Enroll. Act One. 00:08:17
SCA One. 00:08:19
Got rid of a lot of the local income tax that local government used to help finance the services that are provided to the 00:08:23
community. 00:08:26
So we. 00:08:31
Are uncertain. 00:08:32
If local income tax will be a component of the revenue available to the territory. 00:08:33
But. 00:08:39
We have committed. 00:08:39
That it will be offset. 00:08:41
If we do receive local income tax. 00:08:43
When we made our. 00:08:45
Presentations last year. 00:08:47
For the creation of the territory, which started January 1st this year. 00:08:49
We. 00:08:54
All of the revenue would come from property taxes. 00:08:56
We were able to get some local income tax this year. 00:08:58
And we offset that. 00:09:02
Property tax levy, We reduced it and lowered it. 00:09:04
Based on us getting the local income tax. 00:09:07
And that is our intention going forward. 00:09:09
If we're able to get local income tax in the future. 00:09:12
So the process for expanding the fire territory is set by statute. 00:09:18
Between January 1st and March 31st of the year. 00:09:21
Each district must hold three public hearings to educate the community. 00:09:24
What we've done here is an attempt to try and make it. 00:09:29
Easier and simpler for the community. We're having all three boards meet at one time. 00:09:32
As opposed to each board having three meetings. 00:09:37
That way the community doesn't have to go to 9. 00:09:40
Meetings you. 00:09:43
Only have to come to three of them. 00:09:43
This is the third. 00:09:45
And final public hearing to educate the community. 00:09:47
By statute, we are then required to hold a fourth adoption meeting. 00:09:50
To vote on resolutions to expand the territory. 00:09:54
That meeting will also be held in this room. 00:09:57
On March 11th at 5:30. 00:10:00
And if approved. 00:10:03
Highlander Fire Protection District would join the fire territory effective January 1st, 2027. 00:10:04
Yeah. OK. So I'm going to. 00:10:14
Pivot now and thankfully. 00:10:18
Allow Susan Cohen to give a presentation on the impact to the community as far as taxes. 00:10:21
Baker Tilly is the top 10 worldwide CPA firm and preeminent advisory tax and assurance firm in Indiana. 00:10:27
And we're very grateful Susan drove down from Indianapolis. 00:10:33
Join us this evening. 00:10:36
Do you want to use? 00:10:37
I'm gonna use this microphone. Thank you. 00:10:39
Sorry, my back to everybody again tonight. 00:10:45
Good evening. 00:10:49
The statute that controls formation of the fire territory tightly controls what information must be provided at each of these 00:10:50
meetings. 00:10:54
If you haven't been here previously or you got here before me tonight, there are copies of my presentation at each door if you 00:10:57
don't already have one. 00:11:01
But we have to discuss. 00:11:06
The impacts. 00:11:07
To taxpayers. 00:11:08
Within. 00:11:10
These three fire districts taxing areas. 00:11:11
As well as potential impacts to other units in the county. 00:11:13
So Michael's pretty well effectively covered already why they're joining. 00:11:19
They're choosing to go forward with the territory, why they did it last year and why they're expanding this year. 00:11:23
Georgetown will continue to operate. 00:11:31
As what's called the provider unit. 00:11:34
These three boards together will form 1 Fire Territory Advisory Board. 00:11:37
But one unit acts as the point of tax receipt, and somewhat. 00:11:42
Of the administrative functions for the territory. 00:11:46
They will then be responsible for putting the budget together. 00:11:50
Because these are all fire districts, they still have to go before the County Council for ultimate approval of their budgets each 00:11:53
year. 00:11:56
So Georgetown in working with the others and the boards. 00:12:00
Will take care of that going forward as well. 00:12:03
So these rates would change. 00:12:07
With taxes effective and payable in 2027. 00:12:09
All the work they did last year set a new rate for this year. 00:12:14
And anything that changes this year? 00:12:18
Would set a new tax rate for next year. 00:12:20
So the way that we determine what the new required tax rate is to support the fire territory, we look currently first at what the 00:12:24
units. 00:12:29
Currently pay for fire service. 00:12:33
What kind of receipts they're bringing in for their current budgets? 00:12:36
And then how much of that is actually property tax? 00:12:39
We determine what that current rate is. 00:12:43
We then. 00:12:46
Determine what the rate is based upon the budget they've provided. 00:12:47
For the revised or expanded territory. 00:12:51
Evaluate what the net impact is. 00:12:54
Between the existing and the new because statute says if you form a fire territory. 00:12:57
All existing rates for fire are removed and replaced with the new. 00:13:02
Fire territory rate. 00:13:06
Then we look at what how that rate. 00:13:10
Impacts taxpayers. 00:13:11
Within the taxing districts for these fire districts. 00:13:13
And then potentially how these? 00:13:17
The fire territory changes could impact other units across the county. 00:13:19
So this schedule shows how the units are currently paying for fire service. 00:13:25
And not all of this, in either case, is property tax. 00:13:29
Any unit that receives property tax also receives something called motor vehicle highway tax. 00:13:33
So that's whether it's a library, a school or a county. If you get property tax, you get a share. 00:13:39
Of the motor vehicle highway taxes in the county. 00:13:44
Based upon relative proportion of levy when you compare it to all levies in the county. 00:13:49
So currently on the left hand side of the screen. 00:13:54
That's the current territory between the New Albany District and the Georgetown District. 00:13:57
They have operating receipts. 00:14:02
Of not quite six and a half million dollars six point. 00:14:05
4 to 8 million. 00:14:08
And then they currently have what's called an equipment replacement fund or a capital fund. 00:14:10
In that capital fund they get almost $600,000. 00:14:14
That's a total for them of $7,026,000 and. 00:14:18
26800. 00:14:22
26,800 Sorry. 00:14:24
And then? 00:14:26
Highlander on the other side. 00:14:27
Their current operating receipts are. 00:14:29
5,017,400. 00:14:31
And there. 00:14:34
Capital fund is 437,600. 00:14:35
Like I said, not quite all of that is property tax. 00:14:39
When we look at the portion of it that is property tax. 00:14:42
The current rate for the Highlander District in 2026. 00:14:45
Is .3039. 00:14:49
Or slightly over $0.30. 00:14:51
Per $100.00 of net assessed valuation. 00:14:53
For the the territory, the current Floyd County territory. 00:14:57
Their rate this year is .39. 00:15:00
1. 00:15:03
So after we determined what that is, we next look at the budget. 00:15:05
That was provided. 00:15:09
Michael showed you the budget as well. This is just another copy of it. 00:15:10
And then we on this page. 00:15:16
Determine what the rate is necessary to support. 00:15:18
Fire. 00:15:21
We do take into account. 00:15:22
Those motor vehicle excise taxes that the territory will will receive. 00:15:24
So it's not right now considered 100%. 00:15:28
Property tax, but it is mostly property tax. 00:15:31
And as Michael referenced, if they find that they have access to other revenues in the future. 00:15:34
They can make adjustments. 00:15:39
And bring the amount of property tax down. 00:15:40
To allow. 00:15:43
In the eventuality that they give property or local income tax from the county in the future. 00:15:43
So right now based upon the budget and this is both the capital and the operating at the same time. 00:15:50
The operating. 00:15:56
Is based upon the detailed budget that was turned in. 00:15:58
That doesn't include things like fire trucks or buildings. It's not big capital it can include. 00:16:01
Smaller, what they call annually replaceable capital. 00:16:07
Like Scott Air packs, breather packs. 00:16:10
Turn out gear some PPE. 00:16:13
Those kind of things can be included in operating, but it doesn't have any of your large apparatus. 00:16:15
The equipment replacement fund. 00:16:20
The capital portion. 00:16:22
Is where they can either accrue that money. 00:16:24
Year after year to save up to purchase an apparatus. 00:16:26
Or use it to make lease payments on an apparatus. 00:16:30
Or. 00:16:33
Buy lease payments on a building, loan payments, anything of that nature. 00:16:34
So anytime I talk about tax rate. 00:16:38
Going forward, I'm looking at both types. 00:16:41
The operating and the capital that equipment replacement fund is held. 00:16:44
To a maximum rate of .0333. 00:16:48
It will not get larger. 00:16:51
The other rate, the other portion for operating. 00:16:54
This is basically their. 00:16:57
Way to set a new levy for the first year of the territory, meaning next year of the revised territory. 00:17:00
Going forward, it will only grow based upon what's called the Max Levy Growth quotient. 00:17:06
That is the amount at which. 00:17:11
Every other unit in the state. 00:17:13
The county, any libraries, any schools, any towns, any townships. 00:17:15
Can grow their levees. 00:17:19
The past few years that's been 4%. 00:17:21
And we understand that in the current legislation. 00:17:23
Legislative session, they're in a cap it at 4% again for this coming year. 00:17:26
So it's not. 00:17:29
In future years, there won't be growth greater than what any other unit in the state is allowed growth wise. 00:17:32
On that operating levy if they ever want to. 00:17:38
Make a big leap again for any reason. 00:17:41
They would have to go through this whole process again and somebody new would also have to join the territory. 00:17:43
So whether that's. 00:17:49
Another unit from. 00:17:50
This county, another unit from the county next door. You have to add units at any point. 00:17:52
To get growth greater than the Max levy growth. 00:17:57
So for the first year of the territory. 00:18:01
We're estimating that the new rate will be .3683. 00:18:04
This is the row across the bottom of this. 00:18:08
Page of the presentation. 00:18:10
The second year. 00:18:13
Based upon growth and of what we were assuming in net assessed value. 00:18:14
It's .3617. 00:18:19
And then in the third year of the territory, 2029. 00:18:21
It's .35. 00:18:24
552 or a little over $0.35. 00:18:26
Another thing we have to discuss is debt. 00:18:31
Exist units that have existing debt cannot roll that debt into the fire territory. 00:18:35
So currently New Albany Township. 00:18:40
Has some outstanding debt. 00:18:43
And the Lafayette Township portion of the Highlander District has some debt. 00:18:45
So there's information here about those individual. 00:18:49
Debt issuances. 00:18:52
New Albany's will be up the end of 2029. 00:18:54
And Highlander, the one for Lafayette Township portion of Highlander goes out a little bit further to 2036. So those rates stay. 00:18:57
With the portion. 00:19:04
Of the. 00:19:06
Of the. 00:19:07
Taxing districts that were originally. 00:19:08
Subject to that debt levy. 00:19:10
The fire territory cannot itself issue debt. 00:19:13
It would have to be the responsibility of one of the underlying providing. 00:19:17
Fire districts to do that. 00:19:21
But at current, there are no plans for any future debt issuances. 00:19:22
For the territory. 00:19:26
So this page. 00:19:32
Shows the impact. 00:19:33
To the individual taxing districts. 00:19:35
Within. 00:19:38
That what would be the expanded territory? 00:19:39
So a taxing district. 00:19:42
Involves one where you live. 00:19:44
And what? 00:19:46
Units within the county. 00:19:47
Have the authority. 00:19:48
To tax on that property. 00:19:50
So when you pay your property taxes, it doesn't go just one place in the county, it goes multiple places. Some of it goes to the 00:19:52
county, some of it goes to the Township, some of it goes to a school, some of it goes to the library. 00:19:58
So those are what we talk about is taxing districts, each individual taxing unit. 00:20:03
Has a rate. 00:20:08
Then those units are rates are combined to a district rate. 00:20:09
So in this case there are 6 taxing districts affected. 00:20:14
Even though there's technically 3 taxing units. 00:20:18
Each one has. 00:20:22
Multiple just. 00:20:23
Taxing districts within it so. 00:20:25
For the current. 00:20:27
This page. 00:20:29
Is the current. 00:20:30
Fire territory as it is now. 00:20:31
That's Georgetown Township. 00:20:32
Georgetown Town and New Albany Township. 00:20:34
So for Georgetown Township. 00:20:37
Their current district rate is 1.7772. 00:20:39
If you take out their current rate which is .3910 and replace it with the new territory rate. 00:20:44
A .3683. 00:20:50
In this case, it's actually a net decrease. 00:20:52
For the current territory. 00:20:54
Their new rate would be 1.7545. That's about a 1.3%. 00:20:57
Decrease. 00:21:01
Georgetown Town. The math is the same. The result is slightly different. 00:21:03
Because. 00:21:07
Currently. 00:21:08
Paying the same rate for fire and we're replacing it with the same rate. That's why their net impact is the same for each one. 00:21:09
So the new rate for Georgetown Town would be 2.0060. 00:21:16
That's about a 1.1% decrease. 00:21:22
The new rate for New Albany Township would be 1.7709. 00:21:24
Again, about a 1.3%. 00:21:28
Increase. 00:21:31
This page then covers the three new districts that would come in under Highlander. 00:21:33
Greenville Township, Greenville Town and Lafayette Township. 00:21:38
They all have relatively similar tax rates, currently 1.68291.7243. 00:21:42
And 1.7046. 00:21:48
When you replace. 00:21:51
The rate they're currently paying of .3039 with the .3683 for year one. 00:21:52
That's a net impact of .0644. 00:21:58
Each of them receive about a 3.7 to 3.8% increase in the tax rate. 00:22:02
So remember I have some examples coming up. 00:22:07
For different value homes and how that changes? 00:22:10
Potentially, the value of the tax bill for those homes. 00:22:12
But if your home isn't one of the values I'm discussing, remember these percentages. 00:22:16
If you apply it. 00:22:20
To your. 00:22:22
Current tax bills are what your tax bills, when you get them in April, will look like if you live in Greenville Township. 00:22:22
And you on your primary home if you take. 00:22:30
The current bill, the amount that you're paying. 00:22:33
Multiply it times 1.038. 00:22:36
Taking into account that 3.8% increase. 00:22:38
That would give you an idea of what your tax bill would be if the territory is expanded and you're brought in. 00:22:42
To the territory. 00:22:48
The next page is a summary. 00:22:50
Of all of those. 00:22:52
Annual impacts in one place actually going out, then to 28 and 29. 00:22:53
Really. 00:22:59
The biggest impact is the first year. 00:23:00
On. 00:23:02
The current Highlander district from then on everybody house has pretty much the same. 00:23:03
Annual slight decrease of about 4/10 of a percent. 00:23:07
Going forward. 00:23:11
And that's because we are accounting for some estimate of net assessed value growth. 00:23:12
In general, as net assessed value grows, tax rates decrease. 00:23:16
If there's a larger increase in net assessed value. 00:23:20
Tax rates could decrease more than we are anticipating here. 00:23:23
So we have a couple illustrative examples here. 00:23:28
Different homes at different values in different districts. 00:23:30
So for example on. 00:23:36
This one the top line. 00:23:38
Is if. 00:23:40
You have a $150,000 value. 00:23:40
That's your taxable value, not what you bought your house for. 00:23:44
Not what you can sell your house for. Not what Redfin tells you your house is worth. 00:23:47
This is what comes every year on your assessment that you get from the county auditor. 00:23:51
So this is that number if your house is near 150,000 you live in. 00:23:56
The Georgetown Township District, Taxing district, Georgetown Town or New Albany. 00:24:01
You will have about a $14.00 annual decrease in your tax bill in 2027. 00:24:06
If the territory goes into place. 00:24:11
If you live in the current Highlander district. 00:24:15
You have about a $39.00. 00:24:17
Annual increase to your tax bill roughly $3 a month. 00:24:19
And then? 00:24:24
If your home value and that that. 00:24:27
Item we have in the center that 267,100. 00:24:29
Is what we found that says the average tax value of a home is. 00:24:32
In. 00:24:37
Floyd County in these in these areas. 00:24:38
So again, if you're in the current Georgetown, New Albany district, it's about a $29.00 annual decrease to your bill. 00:24:41
In the current Highlander district, it's about an 83 dollar annual increase. 00:24:47
Stepping up. 00:24:52
One more level to a $300,000 home. 00:24:53
If you're in the current. 00:24:57
Georgetown or New Albany District, about a $34 annual decrease. 00:24:58
And in the Highlander District, it's about a $95 annual increase. 00:25:03
This is sort of a visual to show you on the. 00:25:10
Property value of that mid range. 00:25:12
Or that average home that 267,000? 00:25:14
Just how the difference? 00:25:17
Comes down There's one of these for each of the taxing districts. 00:25:19
I'll explain one of them. 00:25:22
And if you you know find yours on a subsequent page, if you have a question, please feel free to let me know. 00:25:23
So in this case, we're looking at the Georgetown Township. 00:25:28
District. 00:25:32
Their current tax bill? 00:25:33
In 26. 00:25:34
Is estimated at. 00:25:36
$2298. 00:25:37
If the territory is revised. 00:25:40
In place. 00:25:43
For 27, that bill would be $2269. 00:25:44
That's that roughly $29.00 decrease I referenced on the previous page. 00:25:48
This also illustrates the district rate that I was talking to you about earlier. There's a chunk there for the New Albany School. 00:25:52
There's a piece for the New Albany Library. 00:25:59
A piece for Floyd County, there's a small piece for. 00:26:02
The other. 00:26:04
Services that Georgetown Township provides. 00:26:05
And then that sort of orange part. 00:26:08
Is current fire service. 00:26:10
So if your home is in that range of 267,000. 00:26:12
Dollars. 00:26:16
Assessed Value. Gross. Assessed Value. 00:26:17
You're currently paying about 5:05 for fire. It'll drop to roughly 476. That's the fire portion. 00:26:20
Of the bill. 00:26:26
So that's what that decrease I said came in. 00:26:27
We will take a look at 1:00. 00:26:31
Though for the. 00:26:33
Highlander District. 00:26:36
To show you. 00:26:37
What 1 looks like with an increase. 00:26:39
So this is the Greenville Town District. 00:26:42
Again. 00:26:44
This bill currently would start. 00:26:45
And 26 at 2231 dollars. 00:26:47
With if the territory is approved and goes forward in 27, that again everything is is the same except that orange piece of the pie 00:26:51
that's fire. 00:26:55
So currently. 00:26:59
Fires about $383. 00:27:01
It would then go up to 470. 00:27:04
$6. 00:27:06
If the territory goes through. 00:27:08
And that roughly it will be the same actually the. 00:27:10
The fire change will be the same for all of the taxing districts that are in the Highlander district. 00:27:13
Of course we know that not. 00:27:20
There's other types of property, not just your primary residential home. 00:27:22
This schedule shows some other illustrative property types. 00:27:27
We have agricultural land. 00:27:31
Agricultural land is considered in the same tax calculation as. 00:27:33
Second homes. 00:27:37
Rental homes, Assisted living facilities. 00:27:38
So we look at residential rental and agricultural land. Those are both what are considered. 00:27:42
2%. 00:27:46
Tax cap properties. I'll talk more a little bit more about tax caps here in a couple slides. 00:27:47
So in this case. 00:27:53
The top three lines again are the current Georgetown and New Albany district if you have a $100,000 piece of agricultural land. 00:27:54
That bill will drop by about $23 a year. 00:28:01
In the current Highlander district, that bill would increase roughly $64 a year, or about $5.00 a month. 00:28:04
A $300,000 either rental property or combination of rental properties or someone's second or vacation home in the area. 00:28:10
If you're the current Georgetown and New Albany district, it would decrease by about $68. 00:28:18
If you are in current Highlander district, the increase would be about $193 annually and this is annually. Not on each portion, 00:28:23
not on each semi annual portion of your tax bill. 00:28:29
And then on commercial property? 00:28:35
If you have a $500,000 piece of commercial, whether that's business, whether it's business, personal property, whether it's just 00:28:38
basically any property that doesn't fall into the other classifications. 00:28:43
Current New Albany and Highlander districts. 00:28:48
Would see about $114.00 annual decrease. 00:28:50
Then the Georgetown Highlander district, I'm sorry, would see roughly a 322 dollar annual increase. That's about $27.00 a month. 00:28:54
So that's the information that I have on. 00:29:05
Taxpayer impacts. 00:29:08
The last few slides I have are on impacts to other units in the county. And when I say other units in the county I don't mean 00:29:09
people that live in other townships like. 00:29:13
People that live in Franklin Township, their tax bills won't change. 00:29:18
Because of the territory. 00:29:21
But the revenues that Franklin Township itself receives as a unit of government could potentially change. 00:29:23
The first way that can change. 00:29:30
Is because of circuit breaker tax cap credits. 00:29:32
This links back to the. 00:29:35
1%, two percent, 3% properties I just mentioned. 00:29:37
Indiana has something written into their tax code in their constitution called Circuit breaker tax caps. 00:29:41
Prior to 2012. 00:29:47
There was no limit. 00:29:49
To what a tax bill could be. 00:29:50
Each year. 00:29:52
It could vary widely up and down. 00:29:52
A lot of people complain to their. 00:29:55
Legislators about that. It took him a number of years to figure out the plan, but in 2012 they put tax caps into place. 00:29:57
It created a maximum amount. 00:30:04
For tax bills. 00:30:06
Based upon the gross assessed value of your home. 00:30:08
That gross assessed value again is what I said the. 00:30:11
Auditor sends you each year, usually in June, that says what you're. 00:30:14
Assessed value is in your home for the upcoming year. 00:30:17
So if your home is your primary residential, your primary home. 00:30:21
In normally up to about one acre of land. 00:30:25
That's considered a 1% property. 00:30:28
Or homestead credit property. 00:30:31
So if it's about $100,000. 00:30:34
Your Max bill would be $1000. 00:30:36
So if due to tax rate, that bill calculates at higher than 1000. 00:30:39
With certain exceptions, such as school debt, that's been voted by referendum. 00:30:43
You don't. The homeowner does not pay it. And then? 00:30:48
Government units don't collect it. 00:30:50
So each unit across the county has what's called circuit breaker loss. It's a combination from. 00:30:53
The calculations and the limitations on each type of property. 00:30:58
1% properties are treated differently than all others. 00:31:02
1% properties, as long as you've gone to the auditor's office and you've filed your homestead credit. 00:31:05
You get a $48,000 deduction off the top. 00:31:11
Value of your The gross assessed value of your home. 00:31:14
You then receive a percentage based supplemental deduction. 00:31:17
And right now? 00:31:21
If your home is worth $100,000 you. 00:31:22
Pay on roughly. 00:31:24
38 to $39,000 of that. So your tax bill is not calculated. 00:31:26
On the full $100,000. 00:31:30
For your primary residential. 00:31:32
Residents, I'm sorry, it's calculated on what's called the net assessed value. 00:31:34
Or gross assessed value. 00:31:38
Less those two deductions. 00:31:39
Historically. 00:31:43
The 2% properties have not had any deductions similar to that, however, in 2026. 00:31:44
Again, because of Senate Enrolled Act One. 00:31:50
We will start a six year step in of deductions on 2% properties. 00:31:52
Agricultural Residential. 00:31:57
Residential. 00:31:58
Traditionally, those 2% properties. 00:32:00
Their Max bills. 00:32:01
Have been 2%. 00:32:03
Of their gross assessed value. 00:32:05
So if it's a $100,000 piece of property, the Max bill is $2000. 00:32:07
Starting this year. 00:32:12
There will be a 6%. 00:32:13
Deduction in that gross assessed value. 00:32:15
So they want you will now be charged. 00:32:18
Your tax bill will be calculated on roughly 94%. 00:32:20
Of your gross assessed value and you'll have a net assessed value that's different than gross assessed. 00:32:24
Then on the 3% properties. 00:32:30
The commercial and everything else. 00:32:32
Their Max bill can be. 00:32:35
3%. 00:32:36
Of the total gross assessed value. 00:32:37
So that would be $3000 on a $100,000 piece of property. 00:32:39
So again, because of those calculations if. 00:32:44
Units hit their tax caps. 00:32:47
In general, if you have tax rates at $2.00. 00:32:50
The agricultural properties. 00:32:54
And residential rental homes. 00:32:56
And. 00:32:57
Second residential, second homes. 00:32:58
Hit their tax caps. 00:33:00
It depends on the what the tax rate is for the. 00:33:02
1% There's no hard and fast rule. 00:33:07
Usually when you hit 1.7 to 1.8, there's. 00:33:09
Tax cap loss. 00:33:13
Because of Senate Enrolled Act One, there are new credits that are being now applied to tax bills that will create. 00:33:14
More loss to governmental units. 00:33:21
So what that means is. 00:33:23
Your tax bills will likely be lower in 2026 than they were in 25. 00:33:24
Because of a new credit. 00:33:29
But units will also have more. 00:33:31
Cap loss. 00:33:34
So that cap loss is going to happen in 2026, whether the fire territory goes into place or not. 00:33:36
For other units. 00:33:43
So this page is all. 00:33:44
Representing. 00:33:46
Lost revenue, I should have have them negative but I don't so. 00:33:47
If we look at Floyd County. 00:33:51
Because of. 00:33:53
Senate enrolled Act One in 2026. They're expecting about $1.3 million in property tax loss. 00:33:55
In 2027, about. 00:34:02
1.356 without the new territory going in place. 00:34:04
So it goes up. 00:34:09
By about $45. 00:34:11
$45,000. 00:34:13
Because of the territory in 2027 for the county. 00:34:15
So the county. 00:34:18
Obviously be losing money anyway, but it does increase a bit with. 00:34:20
The expansion of the territory, because in general, when you add levy. 00:34:25
You get more units potentially getting to their circuit breaker tax caps. 00:34:31
And then with the new credits, there will also be loss. 00:34:36
So that's why we experience when you add new levy, it increases the circuit breaker loss going forward. 00:34:40
And of course the. 00:34:46
Territory will lose some of its own. They're highlighted there in Peach at the bottom. 00:34:48
The territory will lose. 00:34:53
When it expands Levy potentially in 2027. 00:34:55
Will lose between their. 00:34:58
Both operating and capital funds about $1.7 million. 00:35:00
The other kind of revenue we'll discuss is local income tax. 00:35:06
You know, Michael referenced earlier that the current local income tax structure is being revamped. 00:35:10
We as the way legislation is today, it's in 2028, it's being revamped. 00:35:14
If it gets adopted in time by Friday, it may be pushed out to 2029. 00:35:20
Traditionally. 00:35:26
Anything that happens with local income tax causes changes to other units revenues. 00:35:28
A year behind? 00:35:33
So in 2026. 00:35:34
Any changes? 00:35:37
Made in the territory would potentially affect. 00:35:38
2027. 00:35:41
But that did not happen because. 00:35:43
These units now do not receive. 00:35:46
Their own. 00:35:48
Local income tax. 00:35:49
So 2026. 00:35:52
Local income tax will flow into 2027 and 2027 will only be affected by. 00:35:54
Any growth in AGI across the county because local income taxes are. 00:36:00
Taxes that come off of your paycheck. 00:36:04
So whether you work here or over in Clark County. 00:36:06
Your HR person takes the. 00:36:10
The county tax rate out of your paycheck that comes back to the county. 00:36:12
And the county then distributes it based upon the types and rules. 00:36:16
That go along with those types. 00:36:20
Of what they have adopted in the county. 00:36:22
Conversely, if somebody. 00:36:24
Lives in Clark County but works here. 00:36:25
Their local income tax goes back to Clark County with them. 00:36:27
So currently. 00:36:31
Here there is certified shares, local income tax. 00:36:33
That goes to the county unit, municipal units, Township units. 00:36:37
Normally it would go to fire districts. 00:36:42
It goes to libraries. 00:36:45
It's it's shared more widely across the county. 00:36:47
The next two types, public safety and economic development. 00:36:49
Those go only to the county unit. 00:36:53
And to the municipal units it does not go. To townships it does not go. 00:36:56
Currently to districts or fire territories. 00:37:00
There's a correctional facilities lit. 00:37:03
That goes straight to the county for jail purposes. 00:37:05
There's something called property tax relief. 00:37:09
Which is used to lessen the impact of. 00:37:12
Circuit breaker loss that I just discussed. 00:37:16
But that will be going away in 2028 or 2029, depending upon legislation. 00:37:18
Then there is also. 00:37:24
Judicial system split that goes directly to the county for use in the county court system. 00:37:26
So that top type the certified shares total. 00:37:31
Is traditionally allocated based upon. 00:37:35
A unit's portion of their levy as a proportion of all the levees in the county. 00:37:38
So if the county levy is equivalent to 25% of all the levies in the county. 00:37:43
They would get 25% of the certified shares lit that would come back to them. 00:37:48
But because of Senate enrolled Act One. 00:37:54
We do not expect changes impacting. 00:37:57
Being impacted by the fire territory. 00:38:00
Even if the legislation gets bumped back. 00:38:03
A year. 00:38:05
Any change that would flow because of? 00:38:07
The territory. 00:38:10
Will have to be approved by the county. 00:38:11
Otherwise there will be no change if they stick with the 28 implementation. 00:38:14
There are some. 00:38:19
Some information here about the new types. 00:38:21
One potential type going forward is something called Fire and EMS specific lit. 00:38:25
It's no longer general public safety. General public safety can currently be used for fire, EMS, or police. 00:38:29
Under the new schema, unless it's somehow changed. 00:38:35
It would only be for fire and EMS service. 00:38:38
The county can use a portion of it to pay for any contracts they have. 00:38:41
Or they can give it directly to territories, districts and municipal fire departments. 00:38:45
If they choose, they can also give it to volunteer departments. 00:38:49
Or. 00:38:53
Township Departments. 00:38:54
But going forward, that would be the one kind to keep your eye on to see what the county does with that in 2028 or after. 00:38:56
So the schedules I have showing lit are basically showing no change because any change that occurs will not be due to the fire 00:39:03
territory. 00:39:06
Anything would be either legislative or due to changes in adjusted gross income. 00:39:11
The last kind we have to talk about is vehicle excise taxes. Those are the taxes I referenced that you pay when you go. 00:39:16
To the license branch for your car, your truck, your boat. 00:39:22
This does not mean that your plate taxes are going up. 00:39:25
Because of the territory. 00:39:28
This just means that it will be reallocated across the county. 00:39:30
So by adding Levy. 00:39:34
To the territory. 00:39:36
The territory stands to bring in. 00:39:37
More. 00:39:40
Of the motor vehicle taxes than they did previously. 00:39:41
So it's reallocated. 00:39:45
It was reallocated this year slightly towards the territory from how it was last year. 00:39:47
And if the territory is expanded, it will be reallocated going again. 00:39:53
Next year. 00:39:56
So that concludes my presentation. 00:40:01
I will say that we have another technical function that we have to do tonight called an equipment replacement fund. 00:40:04
So I believe we will. 00:40:11
Go ahead and take questions now. 00:40:13
On anything about the general presentations that you've heard so far? 00:40:15
We will close the public hearing related specifically to the fire territory. 00:40:19
We will then open a second public hearing. 00:40:24
That will be specifically for the equipment replacement fund. 00:40:26
At which time, Keith. 00:40:29
And I will both provide some more information. 00:40:31
OK. Thank you, Susan. And before we go to the next, I just want to point out one thing that. 00:40:37
We got some feedback from the community on our previous presentations. 00:40:42
The slides that Susan Susan showed where there's a decrease. 00:40:47
In the levy for Georgetown Township, New Albany Township and a. 00:40:52
Increase for Highlander. 00:40:56
That decrease? 00:40:58
For Georgetown Township in New Albany. 00:41:00
Was already built in. 00:41:03
To the creation of the territory. 00:41:05
Whether Highlander joins the territory or not. 00:41:08
The levy for Georgetown and Albany Township is going to go down. 00:41:11
In 2027. 00:41:15
And the reason that happens is. 00:41:17
When you create a fire territory. 00:41:19
The state allows you to collect a little bit extra. 00:41:23
Cash the first year. 00:41:26
So you can pay your bills. 00:41:28
The next year. 00:41:29
But that goes away after the first year. 00:41:31
So whether or not Highlander joins the territory. 00:41:33
The levy is going to decrease for Georgetown Township. 00:41:37
Georgetown Town in New Albany Township. 00:41:41
Next item on our agenda is legal presentation. I'll turn it over to Mr. Pulliam. 00:41:44
Good evening. Uh, my name is Keith Poliam. I'm with the. 00:41:50
Law firm of stalking in. 00:41:53
And I've worked with the Georgetown Township Fire Protection District for quite some time now. 00:41:55
I've been asked I'm I'm going to. 00:42:01
Go quickly this time I won't bore everyone to tears like the last meeting. 00:42:03
But this time I was going to just hit a few high points. 00:42:09
If you think about conceptually what a fire territory is, it's not a merger. 00:42:13
It's not a. 00:42:19
Consolidation per say it is. 00:42:22
In essence, we have 3. 00:42:24
Units. We have 3 governmental units that are all coming together. 00:42:26
And contracting with each other. 00:42:31
To provide. 00:42:33
Fire Protection under one umbrella called the Floyd County Fire Territory. 00:42:35
Under that you heard reference to a provider unit SO1. 00:42:40
Unit has to have their fire department serve in that capacity. 00:42:43
And. 00:42:48
The other units, actually all of the units here are all. 00:42:50
Participating units. 00:42:54
And. 00:42:55
So again. 00:42:56
None of these governmental units go away with a fire territory. 00:42:58
They continue. 00:43:02
But their purpose changes. 00:43:03
They just become participants in the overall fire territory. 00:43:05
So in this. 00:43:09
Iteration we've. 00:43:11
The the attorneys are working on a draft resolutions. Those resolutions would be considered at the next hearing, which would be 00:43:13
the adoption hearing. 00:43:17
And the attorneys have also worked on a interlocal agreement. 00:43:22
There's a current interlocal agreement which is just a contract between. 00:43:25
New Albany Township and Georgetown Township's Fire Protection districts for the current territory. 00:43:30
And that new interlocal would just add Highlander. 00:43:35
Under the new Interlocal, there would be a uniform tax rate has been described. 00:43:39
You've already heard about the. 00:43:45
Dissipated units and who's the provider unit? 00:43:46
There would be two funds. Those funds are the operating fund and the equipment replacement fund that you heard mentioned too. 00:43:49
Those would essentially replace the funds that exist now for all three units. They've already done that for Georgetown. 00:43:57
As far as how it would work from a structural standpoint. 00:44:05
Under the agreement being considered. 00:44:09
The. 00:44:11
There would be a creation of a joint board. 00:44:13
That joint board would have. 00:44:15
3 appointees from each of the participating units, for a total of 9. 00:44:17
And one sitting Commissioner. 00:44:23
Which would be an EMS advisory member. 00:44:25
And then that joint board of 10 people would appoint a chair, a vice chair and a secretary. 00:44:28
That joint board would have administrative, budgetary and fiscal powers and responsibilities for. 00:44:35
The fire territory. 00:44:41
And moving forward. 00:44:42
The each of the participating units would contribute their money. 00:44:45
In this case, two of the units have already contributed. 00:44:50
Into the territory, but Highlander, if they join, would. 00:44:53
Contribute. 00:44:56
Their money, their equipment and apparatus to the fire territory. 00:44:57
Just the point of distinction here. 00:45:01
Each of the units retains the assets and ownerships to their fire apparatus to their equipment. 00:45:03
To their fire stations they are just agreeing contractually to make those of use to the fire territory. 00:45:11
So again, it's not a true merger consolidation, but it is a. 00:45:18
Coming together for everyone working together. 00:45:22
For one, unified. 00:45:25
Department. 00:45:27
And any newly acquired assets that would be? 00:45:29
Those might become territory assets. There would be. 00:45:33
A mechanism by which, if ever. 00:45:36
There was a withdrawal or a dissolution of the territory that those would be equitably. 00:45:39
Divided. 00:45:43
And that's. 00:45:44
Pretty much the highlights for that. 00:45:45
OK. Thank you, Keith. 00:45:52
Next agenda item are public comments. 00:45:54
The way we've done this in the past is if anybody wishes to make public comments, there's a sign up sheet over here. If you could 00:45:58
please sign up. 00:46:01
And then? 00:46:05
Step up to the microphone. 00:46:06
We've generally tried to limit it to about 3 minutes so everybody gets a chance, but if we've got extra time. 00:46:08
Running a little bit over, we haven't. 00:46:15
Shut anybody down. 00:46:17
So far. 00:46:19
So any public comments? 00:46:20
Sorry. 00:46:48
Hello everyone. My name is Trevor Combs and I serve as the President of the Floyd Knobs Professional Firefighters Local 5426. 00:46:49
We proudly represent the firefighters and EMS personnel of the Highlander Fire Department. 00:46:57
Throughout the formation of this territory and the entire transition process. 00:47:01
We have consistently extended grace and respect both our department board. 00:47:04
And the territory. 00:47:08
We have worked diligently and alongside the other union to ensure we are active, cooperative participants in this process. 00:47:11
We were reassured by county officials that we would not lose a dime. 00:47:17
Because we believed in the vision being presented. 00:47:20
Unfortunately, it is now become apparent. 00:47:23
That not only are we facing a loss in compensation, but the loss is substantial. 00:47:25
We are losing longevity pay. 00:47:30
Our insurance costs are increasing. 00:47:32
We are losing earned time off. 00:47:33
We are losing specialty pay. 00:47:35
Our pension base is being reduced. 00:47:37
While a required contributions increase. 00:47:38
These changes represent a significant financial and professional setback for the men and women that serve this community every 00:47:41
day. 00:47:44
Additionally. 00:47:47
Being told who can and cannot be part of the Union is beyond comprehension. 00:47:48
That action is deeply concerning. 00:47:52
And to understand. 00:47:54
To my understanding, a statutory violation. 00:47:55
I strongly urge our board. 00:47:58
To take these concerns into serious consideration. 00:47:59
To the Territory Board, I hope you understand that trust and respect, once lost, are not easily restored. 00:48:03
Thank you for your time. 00:48:07
Thank you. 00:48:11
If you could sign in please. 00:48:18
OK, great. Thank you. 00:48:20
Good evening. 00:48:28
My name is Kelly Hammer. 00:48:29
And I'm a lifelong resident of Boyd County. 00:48:31
I want to start out by. 00:48:34
That I'm not against change. 00:48:36
And I'm aware that change is inevitable. 00:48:38
And needed. 00:48:40
In today's society. 00:48:41
Across all facets of light. 00:48:43
However. 00:48:46
I have a few concerns regarding. 00:48:48
This consolidation which I just realized the sun was be called that but I'm calling it that. 00:48:50
Of Highland fire. 00:48:56
Into the fire territory. 00:48:57
First and foremost. 00:49:00
Is my distrust. 00:49:02
Of the county commissioners. 00:49:05
Red flag #1. 00:49:08
A few of the commissioners. 00:49:10
Had and still may have. 00:49:13
Ties with Jamie Knoll. 00:49:17
Red flag #2. 00:49:20
Highlander Fire. 00:49:23
Has been given an ultimatum. 00:49:25
By these Commissioners. 00:49:28
That states. 00:49:30
If you don't join the territory. 00:49:31
We will no longer. 00:49:34
Fund your fire ambulance. 00:49:36
I think we can all agree. 00:49:41
That our far ambulance services. 00:49:44
And those. 00:49:47
Pointy is. 00:49:48
Whom oversee these services? 00:49:49
Should always. 00:49:52
Put our county residents. 00:49:54
1st. 00:49:56
Especially. 00:49:58
When 80 plus percent. 00:50:00
Of emergency calls. 00:50:02
Are medical. 00:50:04
In my opinion. 00:50:06
That. 00:50:08
By the Commissioners. 00:50:10
Speaks volumes. 00:50:12
And points. 00:50:15
To hidden agendas. 00:50:16
By the Commissioners. 00:50:18
Red flag #3. 00:50:21
Highland. 00:50:24
Local Union. 00:50:25
Is considered. 00:50:27
Better. 00:50:29
By pay and benefits. 00:50:31
Then Georgetown's current local. 00:50:34
In the current. 00:50:38
Interlocal agreement. 00:50:39
It states. 00:50:41
That all firefighters. 00:50:42
Would move to Georgetown's local. 00:50:44
However. 00:50:48
There were. 00:50:49
Going discussions going on about. 00:50:52
Georgetown. 00:50:55
Moving to Highlands local. 00:50:57
Due to the better pay and benefits. 00:50:59
But Georgetown? 00:51:03
Suddenly. 00:51:04
At this 11th hour. 00:51:06
Decided. 00:51:08
It doesn't want. 00:51:09
To change locals and doesn't want to discuss that any longer. 00:51:10
So this means that the Highland firefighters would lose money? 00:51:15
And benefits with this consolidation? 00:51:19
So I'm once again wondering. 00:51:22
If these talk. 00:51:25
Broke down. 00:51:27
At this late date. 00:51:28
Due to more hidden agendas. 00:51:30
Highlander Fire. 00:51:34
Is a first class institution. 00:51:35
All you need to do is look at our history. 00:51:39
Are accolades. 00:51:41
Training, response times, etcetera to know this. 00:51:43
I am worried we will lose. 00:51:47
Excellent firefighters. 00:51:50
If union change. 00:51:52
Is made. 00:51:54
And the firefighters lose money and benefits. 00:51:55
In closing. 00:52:00
Let me say. 00:52:02
That I am not naive in thinking. 00:52:03
That the time. 00:52:06
I have spent coming to these meetings. 00:52:08
For the last two months. 00:52:10
Nor my voice opposing. 00:52:12
This consolidation. 00:52:16
Makes a difference. 00:52:18
The decision for Highlander Fire to join the territory. 00:52:20
Has already been made behind closed doors. 00:52:24
And these meetings and discussions. 00:52:27
Have only been a formality. 00:52:29
Once again. 00:52:32
Politics. 00:52:34
Has played its hand. 00:52:35
And the residents of Floyd County. 00:52:38
Was Delta losing hand? 00:52:40
Through raise taxes. 00:52:43
Decreased services. 00:52:46
Possibility of staffing. 00:52:48
And loss of wages. 00:52:51
Thank you. 00:52:54
Thank you. 00:52:55
Hello. 00:53:09
My name is Jim Baker. 00:53:10
I'm a Sergeant for Highlander fire. 00:53:11
I've got a big ask for you guys. 00:53:16
And I know this has to, the decision has to come from the Commissioner. 00:53:19
But. 00:53:23
With the power of all three boards put together. 00:53:25
If you. 00:53:28
Could impress upon the commissioners. 00:53:30
To extend our. 00:53:32
Emergency medical services contract one year. 00:53:34
And push forward. 00:53:37
The signing. 00:53:39
Of us potentially joining the territory for one year. 00:53:41
That gives. 00:53:45
More time for planning. 00:53:46
More time for. 00:53:48
More proposals. 00:53:50
More time for. 00:53:52
Better judgment. 00:53:54
And decision making. 00:53:56
We all feel that this is being. 00:53:59
That were being rushed into it. 00:54:01
And as the territory. 00:54:03
Is supposed to provide. 00:54:05
Better service to the citizens and. 00:54:07
All for better positions for the firefighters, well. 00:54:10
It's not going to do that. 00:54:13
We're going to lose. 00:54:14
Top notch EMS people. 00:54:16
We're going to lose firefighters. 00:54:19
And it will just. 00:54:22
It will not be good for. 00:54:25
The services in the public. 00:54:27
So I'm asking you. 00:54:29
To impress upon the Commissioners. 00:54:31
The push this movement forward just one year. 00:54:33
Ask for an extension of the EMS contract. 00:54:37
And push forward one year. 00:54:40
And we'll have more time. 00:54:42
To make better decisions. 00:54:45
At that time. 00:54:48
Thank you. Thank you. 00:54:49
Hello, I'm Josh Norman, Battalion Chief, Highlander Fire Department. 00:55:23
I would like to impress upon. 00:55:29
This word how many people will leave? 00:55:31
If we lose our benefits. 00:55:34
And I'm one of them. 00:55:37
I will admit that publicly. 00:55:38
That's really all I have to say. 00:55:44
I'll sign it here in a minute. 00:55:54
So I just want to. 00:55:56
Say this just for clarification purposes, so I'm sorry, can you introduce yourself? 00:55:58
I'm sorry, Jeff Dixon. 00:56:03
Thank you SO. 00:56:04
I want the public to understand that, like it or not, the local government implemented A funding source for EMS completely 00:56:08
separate from the fire department. 00:56:11
So. 00:56:16
This this lady over here mentioned Jamie Knoll. 00:56:17
So. 00:56:20
And mentioned the past so. 00:56:21
Essentially by maintaining what? 00:56:24
The county is doing right now. 00:56:26
Is you're going to take tax money that is taxed from everyone in this county? 00:56:27
And give it to 1 taxing district. 00:56:32
To provide a service that they choose to provide. 00:56:35
When the county commissioners and the county government is required to provide it and they and they created a funding. 00:56:39
To fund the service that they are required to provide. 00:56:45
But they're being asked to hand over money. 00:56:49
And turn around and walk away with no oversight of where that money goes. 00:56:52
It seems to me like that's been trialed before in this county and I don't think it really worked out too well for anybody. 00:56:57
So. And it's nothing against. 00:57:03
What's currently being done? 00:57:06
There's some phenomenal people here. 00:57:08
But if you turn around and do it again, you're just. 00:57:10
You're kicking the can down a road again. 00:57:13
And you're allowing history to repeat itself. 00:57:15
With no tracking of where that money goes. 00:57:17
And so. 00:57:21
What I what I had said before. 00:57:22
Was. 00:57:25
If if everybody's OK with that, then. 00:57:26
New Albany Township, go right. Georgetown, check for $4 million and turn around and walk away. You have no control over where that 00:57:29
money goes. 00:57:32
Highlander ride at the Georgetown, Georgetown ride at the Highland, or whatever. 00:57:37
The only way. 00:57:40
To increase the services. 00:57:42
And to stop. 00:57:44
And solve a 40 year old problem. 00:57:46
Is to have structure. 00:57:48
Transparency and accountability of the taxpayer's money. 00:57:50
Who are the ones who are funding? 00:57:55
The entire. 00:57:57
Funding source for the proposed. 00:57:59
Service. 00:58:01
So that's all I've got to say. 00:58:03
Thank you. 00:58:05
Jeff Yep. 00:58:08
Thank you. 00:58:09
Any other public comments? Thank you. 00:58:15
I'm Aaron. I'm Aaron Simpson. I'm a Captain Highlander. 00:58:27
I just want to kind of reiterate what a couple of our guys have already said. 00:58:31
There's not anybody in this county that I don't think this is. 00:58:35
The direction of this county needs to go. 00:58:38
But there needs to be some thought. 00:58:41
Some planning. 00:58:42
Some big exercises done between all boards. 00:58:44
To make sure this is successful. 00:58:46
Because right now the way that this is currently set up. 00:58:49
Your EMS is not going to be successful because your EMS employees. 00:58:52
That are coming from us, those guys are going to look elsewhere. 00:58:55
Because they're not going to get their benefits. 00:58:59
They're not going to get their pay. 00:59:01
It's not from the lack of them not wanting to be here. 00:59:02
They had to provide for their family. 00:59:05
With them not being able to provide for their family. 00:59:06
Then in turn, they're not able to provide for our community. 00:59:09
We want what's best for our community. 00:59:12
And we want what's best for our people as well. 00:59:14
So I ask you. 00:59:16
To please take that into consideration. 00:59:18
Think about this if we need to. 00:59:20
Kick the can down the road for a year. 00:59:23
To make this work. 00:59:25
Then that's one year. 00:59:26
Let's make this work for everyone. 00:59:28
For this is done right. 00:59:30
And done once. 00:59:32
In the history of Floyd County. 00:59:33
This. 00:59:35
Has never happened. I've grown up here my whole life. 00:59:36
You've never got to see. 00:59:38
Every board in one setting. 00:59:40
Considering. 00:59:42
To be Floyd County fire. 00:59:42
They've always been. 00:59:44
On their own. 00:59:45
So this right here. 00:59:46
Is awesome. 00:59:48
But let's do it the right way. 00:59:49
Let's do this where it's successful for the. 00:59:51
County. 00:59:53
Let's do it worse successfully for your employees. 00:59:54
So we keep that top. 00:59:56
Level. 00:59:57
Knowledge. 00:59:59
In this county. 01:00:00
Thank you. 01:00:01
Bye, Karen. 01:00:03
Any other? 01:00:17
Public comments. 01:00:18
OK, the next agenda item are board comments. 01:00:21
I think we. 01:00:25
I remember which way we started last time, but. 01:00:28
They think. 01:00:30
OK. Anybody? 01:00:33
1. 01:00:36
OK. 01:00:38
Hello. 01:00:44
It's on, I do. 01:00:46
Thank you. 01:00:49
I think. 01:00:50
Quickly, first of all, I want to thank everyone who came up and spoke. 01:00:51
Because I think it does matter and I think we are listening. 01:00:55
So I think it's important. Thank you guys for coming up. 01:00:59
I do think that we haven't. 01:01:02
Recent history. 01:01:04
Kind of highlighted some areas of concern. 01:01:05
And those aren't going unnoticed. 01:01:09
So I think that that's stuff that we're actively working to resolve right now. 01:01:12
Between the boards. 01:01:17
But I want to assure you guys that that. 01:01:18
Is happening in those conversations are happening. We're trying to get this resolved. 01:01:20
As equitably as possible going forward. 01:01:24
Anybody else? 01:01:35
OK. 01:01:38
Thank you very much I'll. 01:01:39
Echo Mike's Michael's comments. 01:01:41
The state mandates that we have three of these public hearings, but really the intent is to be able to have a conversation with 01:01:45
the community. 01:01:48
So that we are able to hear. 01:01:51
And listen. And as Michael said, we are hearing and listening. 01:01:54
Those comments don't just go off into a vacuum. 01:01:59
So thank you very much for those that did make comments today. 01:02:02
At this point, I'm going to go ahead and close. 01:02:06
The public hearing. 01:02:08
For the expansion of the territory. 01:02:10
And upon closing it. 01:02:14
This is just an administrative task that. 01:02:16
Susan mentioned earlier. 01:02:18
We are now going to open the public hearing for the equipment replacement fund. 01:02:20
And I'll pass. 01:02:25
The mic over to Mr. 01:02:26
This will be a lot quicker. 01:02:30
Just so you know. 01:02:31
OK. 01:02:36
Notice was given to the taxpayers of a hearing on a proposed Fire Protection Territory Equipment Replacement Fund for the Flake 01:02:37
County Fire Territory. 01:02:41
That was to occur tonight. I received the proof of publication for the sake of the record. It ran on February 13th and it ran on 01:02:45
February 20th of 2026. 01:02:50
And what is being considered is the establishment of an equipment replacement fund. 01:02:55
In connection with the expansion of the Floyd County Fire Protection territory. 01:03:02
The provider unit, as you've heard, is going to be Georgetown Fire Protection District to participate in units are all at this 01:03:06
table. 01:03:09
The tax levied would be the point 0333 that you heard. 01:03:12
Miss that you heard Susan discuss earlier. 01:03:17
And the taxpayers appearing at this hearing will have the right to be heard at this public comment and just a few minutes. 01:03:20
If there's anything else you think we need to cover. 01:03:27
I I don't think so. Do you want to talk about the? 01:03:31
Impact or. 01:03:34
Impacts were covered already in. 01:03:38
Information that I gave. 01:03:40
The current fire territory has an equipment replacement fund at 3 and a third cents. 01:03:41
If expanded, the new territory would have the same capital equipment. 01:03:46
Find the frame third sense. 01:03:51
The only difference? 01:03:53
Really in the process. 01:03:54
Is the equipment replacement fund is subject to what is called remonstrance? 01:03:56
Meaning if you would like to go to under Diana Toppings office. 01:04:00
Within 30 days after. 01:04:05
The territory votes to put an equipment replacement fund in place. 01:04:07
You can file with colony remonstrance or grievance or. 01:04:12
In opposition to the territory, if there's enough, it gets bundled up and goes to the That's 25 people. 01:04:15
It goes to the Department of Local Government Finance. 01:04:22
The remonstrance of the. 01:04:25
Just to understand Remonstrance the equipment replacement fund. 01:04:27
Does not affect. 01:04:30
Territory itself. 01:04:31
Is not Vermonters in the legislation for the territory? 01:04:32
So if you have specific Vermonters on the equipment replacement fund, you can file that at the auditor's office within 30 days of 01:04:37
the publication of the notice in the in the newspaper, which will happen. 01:04:42
If the boards to phone because that they won't go ahead with the next step. 01:04:47
It just somehow the expansion ability. 01:04:51
Does not happen. 01:04:54
The current territory stays in place with its own equipment replacement fund. It doesn't have to be reestablished. 01:04:55
It only has to be established. 01:05:00
If they vote to proceed. 01:05:02
So that was listed in the notification. 01:05:04
Yeah. So I mean there are specific details about the remonstrance process and the number of taxpayers required to. 01:05:09
Petition. You can find that notice on the website for the fire territory. 01:05:15
And you can find that. 01:05:19
It was also published. 01:05:21
And again, this is public hearing for comment on that. 01:05:23
If the territory is adopted, then again we would publish notice of that adoption and that would start that. 01:05:27
The timing on that process. 01:05:33
OK, so and I'm sorry if this is a little bit confusing. 01:05:39
If there are any public comments. 01:05:42
On the creation of the equipment replacement fund. 01:05:44
For the expansion of the Floyd County fire territory. 01:05:48
Now is the opportunity for somebody to make public comments. 01:05:51
OK, no public comments then. I'll ask if there are any board comments. 01:05:59
Mr. Smith. 01:06:08
OK. 01:06:10
All right. In that case, I'll take a motion to adjourn. 01:06:12
Close. close the public hearing. 01:06:15
So motion to close the public hearing and adjourn. 01:06:20
Jeffrey, thank you very much. We are adjourned. 01:06:23
Thank you. 01:06:26
Thank you everybody. 01:06:27