After a lack of attendance postponed Monday’s meeting, the five-member Ellettsville Town Council held a special meeting Friday morning to address a packed agenda — including the town’s 2026 budget, annexation, fee increases and more.
Councilmembers adopted an $8,461,781 budget for 2026. Last year, the budget was $7,981,903. The budget was fairly tight this year, Town Manager Mike Farmer said. The town can’t afford to fill a vacant police officer position, which has been open since May, he said. The town also could not raise town officials' salaries.
“This is in reaction to SB1 legislation,” he said. “We anticipate this being the status quo in the next budget.”
Early this year, Gov. Mike Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1, a law that restricts local governments’ ability to raise revenue through property taxes.
The council approved the Ripley annexation — three neighboring parcels located in Richland Township between Bloomington and Ellettsville — that will add nearly 72 acres of land. The annexed properties are located along North Union Valley Road and West McNeely Street.
Michael and Megan Ripley, who own the properties, filed a petition requesting annexation of the areas Sept. 11. According to meeting documents, the fiscal plan for the property shows little impact on town revenue.
“Nothing to say but welcome Mike Ripley’s property into town,” Farmer said during the meeting.
The annexed areas will be zoned for agricultural use.
Councilmembers also approved a $19,825.64 transfer from the Parks Department to Town Improvements. The funds originally budgeted for a part-time director and parks laborer will now support town improvements including finishing pavements for the half-mile Heritage Trail in downtown Ellettsville.
Councilmembers adopted a resolution amending pay for Plan Commision, Board of Zoning Appeals, Parks Board and Redevelopment Commission members. Farmer said at the meeting they are increasing the pay for board members from $50 to $100 for attending board meetings. Board members are members of the public selected by the council or by other local government officials. He said a spot is open on the Board of Zoning Appeals that the town hasn’t been able to fill, and he thinks the raise could encourage more public engagement.
The council supported the motion — which also applies to town councilmembers who serve on the boards. Town councilmember William Ellis called it double-dipping.
The council also voted to increase non-recurring water utility fees, due to an increase in labor and material costs for providing services to customers. Farmer referred to the cost as a “hook-on fee.”
“When somebody does a commercial building or a new home, and also, they need water, they call it a hook-on fee, when they ask for us to hook them on to the system,” he said.
The Ellettsville Municipal Water Utility serves about 5,200 customers. The rate changes are pending final approval by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, which will make a decision by Nov. 19. The proposed increases will not affect retail water rates. According to the legal notice of filing, residents may submit objections to the filing to the Utility Regulatory Commission.
Madelyn Hanes covers issues in southern Indiana. Her work is supported by a rural reporting grant from the Hearst Foundation.
