Council sets $100,000 buffer for fire levy fallout

Council is scheduled to vote on Resolution 2026-33R, which would let the city sign a one-year contract with Morton Salt for water-softening rock salt at $159.19 per ton, running from January through December 2027. A second resolution would add Finance Director Ellis Andrew Nichols as a backup signer on the Mayor's Court bank accounts, alongside the court's clerk. City of New Carlisle

Council is also set to take final action on four ordinances first introduced October 19. One would add about $7,500 to this year's budget for water and wastewater capital funds. Another would set rules for when city workers can use the tax-exempt certificate and get sales tax reimbursed. Two more would rewrite how large vehicles, campers and trailers may be parked on city streets and private property, citing emergency-vehicle access. City of New Carlisle

At its October 19 meeting, council voted 5-1 to move $100,000 from the roads fund into the EMS contingency fund, a move members discussed as a buffer in case the city's upcoming fire levy does not pass. Councilwoman Wright cast the only no vote; council then voted 6-0 to send the money back to roads if the levy does pass, keeping the shift temporary. City of New Carlisle

That night, Fire Chief Trusty reported the department's new engine is on track to be in full service by December 1, and that crews helped contain a recent school fire. One resident at the meeting said he had never seen a fire levy fail before but was not sure this one would pass, and asked for data on patient transports. City of New Carlisle

At the October 20 session, Mayor Lindsey announced Councilman Cook would resign effective November 4. Council then scheduled a special meeting for November 9 in response. That same packet had also carried applications for a council seat that was already vacant. City of New Carlisle +1

The October 27 session, whose packet had been expected to cover only a closed-door personnel matter, is where Mayor Lindsey announced Cook had rescinded his resignation. The seat Cook holds remains filled, and the other council vacancy remains open. City of New Carlisle +1

• $159.19 per ton: the rock salt price in the proposed 2027 Morton Salt contract City of New Carlisle.
• $100,000: moved from the roads fund to the EMS contingency fund ahead of the fire levy City of New Carlisle.
• $7,511.16: the total supplemental appropriation for water and wastewater capital funds City of New Carlisle.
• 165: new residential homes permitted citywide from January through October 2026 City of New Carlisle.
• 87%: the closure rate on the 1,553 code-enforcement violations addressed in that span City of New Carlisle.

Council meets at 6 p.m. Monday, November 2, at the Civic Chambers at 212 W. Jefferson St., with public comment limited to five minutes per speaker. The next regular meeting is set for November 16, also at Civic Chambers. City of New Carlisle