Spencer Council approves 2027 budget, SPD policy update

Budget reconciliations, personnel policy updates, and infrastructure concerns dominated the evening as the Spencer Town Council met in regular session Oct. 19. Council president Jon Stantz, vice president Evan McKalip, and board member Ginger Kohr were present for the meeting, alongside town clerk-treasurer Cheryl Moke and town attorney John McKay of Hickam & Lorenz.

The session kicked off with a proposal from Ronald Remak and Warren Havenor of Bill C. Brown Associates. The representatives delivered a presentation requesting to serve as the town’s agent of record for group medical and ancillary benefits. Remak outlined the firm’s extensive background with local municipal entities and presented potential benefit plan alternatives through providers such as Anthem and United Healthcare, aiming to offer enhanced coverage for town personnel. Later in the meeting, the board unanimously approved a motion authorizing a letter of record, allowing Bill C. Brown Associates to prepare and submit a formal quote for future council review.

Considerable discussion was devoted to reviewing and passing the proposed 2027 town budget. Moke detailed the ongoing learning curve and operational challenges associated with navigating the state’s newly automated budget portal. While the council ultimately voted to pass the 2027 budget resolution as presented, members openly acknowledged remaining gaps between proposed departmental expenditures and projected revenues. To address these discrepancies, the council scheduled a follow-up working session for Oct. 29, with a heavy focus on reconciling public safety funding and specific departmental line items.

In other financial matters, the council voted to pay a $10,412 civil penalty invoice issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The fine stems from a previous local flooding incident.

The council later unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-07. The measure retroactively amends Section 509 of the town’s personnel policy, formally establishing a dedicated clothing allowance for Spencer Police Department (SPD) officers.

In public works actions, the council reviewed bids for an upcoming sewer and drainage improvement project, voting to accept the lowest bid submitted by Dirty Butt Excavating in the amount of $6,000.

Residents brought forward pressing neighborhood concerns during the open floor portion of the meeting, including concerns regarding a proposed residential development on East Street, highlighting historical neighborhood flooding, steep site density, and potential access bottlenecks. Another resident urged the council to evaluate the need for a new stop sign at a nearby intersection to curb speeding and enhance safety for pedestrians.

Department heads also delivered routine monthly updates to the board. SPD Chief Terry Sips reported on department fleet status, noting that ongoing vehicle repairs were being covered under warranty while highlighting upcoming community outreach and safety preparations for Halloween festivities. Public works and park board representatives noted routine seasonal maintenance updates across town properties and outlined preliminary plans for upcoming holiday community events.

The Spencer Town Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St.