IS IT TRUE that Mayor Winnecke told the local paper that the threat of a Police and Fire unions lawsuits concerning the Health Insurance offer to city employees will likely go forward as announced?  …we are glad to hear that the Mayor has decided to meet with members of the Police and Fire leadership today to discuss this issue?  …a trait of a good leader is to sit down with people adverse to his position and look for ways to compromise in order to resolve a problem?

IS IT TRUE reliable sources tell us that the projected enrollment for new Medical School will be around 200 not 2,000? …this is a developing story?

IS IT TRUE we been told that the Mayor, City Controller Russ Lloyd Jr, Missy Mosby, Connie Robinson, Dr. Dan Adams, Jonathan Weaver and Dan McGinn has known about the impending Employee Health Care deficits problems for over 2 plus years?

IS IT TRUE at last City Council meeting Councilwoman Anne Hargis CPA failed to ask an important question? …she should had asked “what are the unpaid bills in the General and Hospitalization Funds as of June 30, 2016 compared to 2015 which would affect the 2017 budget”?

IS IT TRUE that the unpaid bills in the General Fund at the beginning of 2016 was $6.1 million and two years earlier that amount was only $2.3 million? … we wonder why the only CPA on City Council has not noticed this trend but more importantly why hasn’t she spoke out about this issue  on the open floor of the Council?

IS IT TRUE it seems like the Council leadership (McGinn, Mosby and Weaver) answer to the City’s major financial challenges is to eliminated our Homestead Credits?

IS IT TRUE if City Council votes to reduce your Homestead Tax Credit by 2% in 2017 they will add around $500,000 to their coffers?  …if they have the political resolve to passed the Homestead Tax Credit ordinance we hope that they use this money to reduce the Employee Health care fund shortfall and not on a new Zoo exhibit?

IS IT TRUE when City Council reduces your Homestead Tax Credit your County Homestead Tax Credit taxe will also be reduced because the City control 67% of the vote on this issue?  …this simply means what the city decides on the Homestead Tax Credit the County must autonomically go along with what they decide?

IS IT TRUE if Council vote to take 2% from your Homestead Tax Credit  in 2017 it will effect  home owners County wide?  …the more valuable homes are located in the County which means they will be paying higher property taxes than the people living in the city?  …this is called taxation without representation?

IS IT TRUE that in the 2017 City Budget, the City Council has only $1,000 allocated for outside consultants?  … that Indianapolis’ Metro Council has two well paid full time financial analysts?

IS IT TRUE that former Councilman and Finance Chairman John Friend, CPA spent many hours not only analyzing the budget but also the ongoing expenditures of our City?  … he also submitted his analyses to the Council on a monthly basis as part of his regular duties without additional pay?

IS IT TRUE that Anna Hargis, CPA posted on her Facebook page the “ins and outs” of the City budget and the “How it works” mantra?   …to our knowledge Councilwoman Hargis has not submitted any financial analyses, i.e. monthly changes in fund balances compared to previous year changes to City Council?

FOOTNOTE: Todays READERS POLL question is: Are you getting sick and tired of our elected and appointed City officials playing political games with our hard earn tax dollars?

Please take time and read our newest feature articles entitled “BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS” and “LOCAL SPORTS” posted in our sections.

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1A
Sectional 48
Tecumseh vs Linton-Stockton
Tell City vs North Central (Farmersburg)
Perry Central vs North Daviess

2A
Sectional 40
Forest Park vs South Spencer
North Posey vs Mater Dei

3A
Sectional 31
Southridge vs Heritage Hills

Sectional 32
Pike Central vs Washington
Memorial vs Gibson Southern
Vincennes Lincoln vs Mount Vernon
Sullivan vs Princeton

4A
Sectional 24
Reitz vs Bosse
Owen Valley vs Central
Boonville vs Edgewood
Jasper vs Harrison

5A
Sectional 16
North vs Castle

The selection show will replay Monday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Indiana.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, behind lung cancer. Deaconess Cancer Services, Vantage Oncology and Tri-State Vin-Moto all teamed up sponsoring the event.

Heath Crecelius says he’s been riding motorcycles since the age of four and after his father survived prostate cancer, this event simply made sense, “He being a survivor…we’re into motorcycles, it just clicked, it went hand and hand. This is a cause near and dear to my heart, has to do with motorcycles, it’s a win-win so it’s a fun event, a good time and a great cause.”

Dozens of distinguished gentleman took off Sunday afternoon from Deaconess Gateway making several stops along the way. Event organizers say they hope the ride continues to grow every year.

“TEDx” is an independently funded event featuring speakers from various backgrounds. Organizers say the “TEDx” program is designed to help communities and spark conversation. Today’s event featured speakers discussing patriotism, education, and other social issues.

Organizers say speakers from the area are going to be given an even larger platform to spread their ideas than just event-attendees.

“About ten speakers here who are giving those talks on things related to their personal and professional lives that are compelling inspiring and interesting and we’re going to take those talks and put them up on YouTube in about a month or so and share them with the rest of the world” organizer Zac Parsons said.

The event was held in the Koch Immersive Theater. Organizers say the turnout was great.

Lawrenceburg Sued For Discrimination In zoning Issue

A zoning dispute has led to a lawsuit accusing the City of Lawrenceburg of discriminating against people with disabilities. The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana (ACLU) filed the lawsuit on behalf of New Horizons Rehabilitation, Inc. against the city in U.S. District Court in New Albany.

In 2013, New Horizons was donated property in Lawrenceburg with the understanding that a home for individuals with disabilities would be built on the site zoned R-1 for “single, two, and multi family residential,” according to the city zoning code. The planned four-bedroom home would provide housing for three unrelated, disabled adults. But when the city’s zoning director learned of the home’s purpose, he told New Horizons that the home was considered a “four-unit boarding house/medical facility”.

The organization was asked to seek a variance from the Lawrenceburg Advisory Plan Commission. New Horizons officials and attorneys attempted to persuade the zoning director and city attorney over the past two years that the home would not be a boarding facility, but the city has maintained its position. Click here for a copy of the ACLU’s complaint.

Carmel Elected Officials Seek Big Pay Raises

Carmel elected officials could award themselves significant pay raises that would start next year. Under the salary ordinance that will be introduced at the Carmel City Council meeting on Monday, Mayor Jim Brainard would receive a 40% salary increase, and council members would see a 28% hike in salaries.

Brainard’s salary this year is $127,946. His proposed 2017 salary would rise to $179,344. The salary for council members would increase from $17,246 to $22,167. The higher salaries are a result of a citywide review recently conducted that compared compensation of Carmel employees to government workers in other Indiana cities and out-of-state communities. Click here for a full story from the Indianapolis Business Journal. The Fishers Town Council this month approved a 58-percent raise for its members starting next year.

Indy Council, Mayor At Odds Over Funding

Indianapolis Republicans on Thursday introduced a proposal to spend a portion of the road funding released by the state, but Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration has proposed keeping the money in a rainy day fund in 2017 to shore up the city’s dwindling reserves. Hogsett does propose his own infrastructure plan, but suggests funding it differently. Hogsett’s plan calls for a $50 million infrastructure plan with $20 million in road bonds, part of a larger $75 million series of bonds for parks, two new fire stations, and a public safety dispatch system, among other items. Click here for the full story from the Indianapolis Star.

BMV Still Grappling With lawsuit

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and attorneys launching a class-action lawsuit against the agency are more than $100 million apart on what they say the BMV owes its customers for years of inflated fees for titles and registrations. Marion Superior Court Judge John Hanley asked for an extension to decide whether the BMV owes state residents more than the $32 million it is in the process of refunding. This is the second class-action suit regarding overcharging. In 2013, the BMV settled a lawsuit for $30 million that focused on fees for driver’s licenses.

EDITOR FOOTNOTE:  Joshua A. Claybourn is Counsel in the Firm’s Evansville, Indiana, office. As a member of the Commercial Law and Health Care and Finance Practice Groups, Mr. Claybourn advises clients in matters of business and corporate law, governmental services and public finance. He has extensive experience providing solutions‑oriented advice on a wide range of legal issues, including complex commercial transactions, regulatory compliance and economic development.

A native of Evansville, Mr. Claybourn is a graduate of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and the Indiana University McKinney School of Law. He was recognized by Indiana Lawyer in its first statewide award as an “Up and Coming” lawyer. He is actively involved in the community and helps lead and support several civic and non‑profit organizations.

Joshua Claybourn is Counsel in Jackson Kelly’s Evansville office. He advises clients in matters of business and corporate law, governmental services, and public finance.