Mike Emery

For about five hours July 22, Wayne County department heads and elected officials made modest budget requests to the county council members who control county finances. There were unavoidable increases, such as for dues, travel or increasing maintenance contracts, but requests for new positions were completely absent. By comparison, in 2022 council received 13 requests […]

Wayne County Council selected C.L. Coonrod & Company to serve as its financial advisor amid the changing state financial landscape. Four companies had pitched their services to council, and during the joint council and commissioners workshop July 22, council unanimously voted to engage the Indianapolis-based Coonrod. The full proposal could cost $24,500 this year and […]

Imagine Richmond’s Depot District drawing residents and visitors for dinner, dancing and performances, while a few blocks south downtown, residents enjoy walking to buy groceries, coffee and more. That’s a vision residents shared with Wayne County Land Trust staff members during a public information meeting July 30 inside First Presbyterian Church’s sanctuary. About 30 people […]

A serious staffing shortage caused Union County in April to request Wayne County’s assistance handling 911 emergency calls. Now, the shortage has become more dire. In April, Wayne County’s commissioners approved an interlocal agreement for the Wayne County Emergency Communications Center to handle Union County’s 911 calls overnight Tuesday through Saturday and all day Sunday […]

Unhappy taxpayers thinking this year’s property tax bills didn’t provide them promised relief won’t fully see the state legislature’s reforms for a few more years. Comprehensive legislation passed during the Indiana General Assembly’s 2025 session phases in reforms through 2031 payments. At that time, property owners will pay taxes on just one-third of their properties’ […]

A planned electrical substation took another step forward July 29. The Richmond Plat Committee unanimously approved a split of 5.5 acres from a 124.344-acre farm field at 6155 Hodgin Road. American Electric Power plans to build a substation on about 2 acres of the land, with the rest containing a driveway and retention pond. Shannon […]

Mayor Ron Oler will decide whether the city’s police or fire department undergoes an efficiency study this year. After debating which department should be scrutinized first, Richmond Common Council had delayed action on an ordinance appropriating $62,000 from the local income tax fund to pay consultant Baker Tilly for the efficiency study. The other department’s […]

Ashley Green will begin serving as Wayne County’s prosecuting attorney before voters officially elect her. Green was chosen by a Republican caucus Aug. 6 to finish Mike Shipman’s term that ends Dec. 31. Sept. 1 will be the final work day for Shipman, who is not running for reelection this year. Green takes over Sept. […]

A new roof covers the Hagerstown Public Library, but the library’s budget can’t cover loan payments incurred for the roof and other projects. Jennifer Taylor, the library’s current director, appeared Aug. 5 before Wayne County Council to request that council approve a bond to pay off the library’s debt. Taylor said that the previous director […]

Sunny days help 24 Richmond Power & Light customers generate their own electricity. Seventeen customers operate solar systems that generate less than 10 kilowatts, while seven more operate larger systems. RP&L General Manager Tony Foster provided the utility’s board, which is composed of Richmond Common Council members, with a solar update during an Aug. 3 […]