Sellersburg Town Council Meeting Tackles Public Safety, Animal Shelter Funding, and Community Engagement

In a comprehensive Town Council meeting, Sellersburg officials discussed critical issues ranging from police overtime pay to community engagement and animal shelter funding.

The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of the evening's agendas and minutes from the previous meeting.

One of the key discussions focused on an ordinance to amend overtime pay for police officers. The ordinance, specifically related to Indiana criminal justice grants, aims to address a significant issue: officers' reluctance to work on these grants due to inadequate pay. “The rate of pay has not kept up with the demand,” stated a council member, highlighting that the environment since 2020 has deterred officers from participating in these essential traffic safety programs. The ordinance proposes to double the pay for officers working on these grants, using funds allocated by the state.

The financial discussions extended to the town's obligations toward the county animal shelter. The council reviewed the proposed increase in contributions from approximately $28,000 to $68,000. This budget adjustment reflects the expanded services and rising operational costs of the shelter, which handled 237 animal intakes from Sellersburg alone last year.

Council members also provided updates on the outgoing community award survey, which has seen substantial participation with 120 responses so far. The survey, open until August 1st, aims to recognize significant contributions by community members. The council is considering various ways to honor awardees, including plaques, lapel pins, and potentially a commemorative wall.

Public safety was another critical topic, with discussions about the current state of emergency medical services (EMS) in the town. Concerns were raised about extended wait times for ambulances and the need for a reliable backup plan. Tri-Township Fire Department has stepped up to assist, but the council emphasized the importance of a long-time solution to ensure residents receive prompt and effective emergency care.

In addition to these discussions, the council announced several upcoming community events, including the Brass Rabbit Antique and Handmade Market scheduled for October 5th. Updates on public works projects, such as road striping and new crosswalks installations, were also shared, highlighting the town's commitment to improving infrastructure and public safety.

As the meeting concluded, council members reiterated their commitment to addressing the town's needs proactively and efficiently, ensuring that Sellersburg remains a safe, engaged, and well-managed community.