Bartholomew County could be looking at a drop in revenues next year of nearly $1.8 million dollars. That’s based on calculations by County Auditor Pia O’Connor.

O’Connor briefed the County Council members at their work session this week on what she sees confronting the council as it begins to put together next year’s budget. By her estimates, property tax revenue should be up by just over 4 percent. But income taxes, which make up more than half of the county’s revenues, could be down by 13 percent or more she said. That would mean $1.8 million less than this year’s $36.2 million in revenue, she said.

O’Connor cautioned that the state is not yet providing any estimates on income taxes, but with the high unemployment rate and the fact that Cummins is cutting many employees pay by 20 percent, there will be a substantial drop in funds. She said that the county will likely see the first state predictions about the time the county starts preparing its budget next month.

Income taxes now pay for the jail operations, along with local funds to fight the opioid epidemic, public safety needs and other projects.

O’Connor said that county department heads turned in their budgets for next year last week, and for the most part those budgets were flat. The only exception was the sheriff’s department budget submission which actually grew and included employee raises, while other departments kept those flat.

Bartholomew Consolidated Schools are laying out their first elements of a plan to reopen schools on August 6th. The plan assumes minimal to moderate spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Under the plan, school would operate five days a week, in regular school hours in BCSC school buildings but families could also choose a remote learning option. Cloth face coverings would be strongly encouraged for staff and students and screenings would happen for all staff and students when they enter a BCSC facility. Water fountains would not be used, but individual water bottles would be given out that can be filled during the day.

The schools will give frequent handwashing opportunities and hand sanitizer will be provided. Schools would be cleaned and disinfected according to CDC guidelines with frequently touched areas receiving additional attention.

Field trips would be postponed and only essential visitors would be allowed to enters chool facilities.

Parents are asked to review the plan and then fill out a survey by Friday with their concerns about reopening. A detailed plan and answers to the frequently asked questions will be available on Monday, July 13th.

BCSC reopening plan link

Parents survey (English)

Bartholomew County Council members remain skeptical of whether the county can afford cameras for deputies to wear and for their patrol cars.

The council heard a presentation from the sheriff’s department at their work session last night, held by Zoom conference call. Capt. Brandon Slate with the sheriff’s department said the department had identified the Axon company’s product as the one they would like to purchase. The cameras would turn on automatically when emergency lights are activated, or when an officer draws a weapon. All footage would be uploaded to the internet for cloud storage with no additional storage cost to the county. The Axon cameras are the same used by Columbus police officers.

The total cost of the project, over five years would be $738 thousand dollars with $280 thousand dollars in first year costs, including $50 thousand in installation charges, coming in the next few weeks, if approved by the council. After that initial outlay, the costs would be $127 thousand per year in years two through five.

Council members including former Sheriff Mark Gorbett, and Evelyn Pence said they did not support the spending right now because of the uncertainty over future funding for the county budget. The county is expecting large hits to tax revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council president Matt Miller suggested the sheriff split off the car cameras from the body cams, as the car cameras are about twice as expensive as the body cameras. Miller also wanted the sheriff to come back with quotes from different body cam companies, with possibly lower costs.

The council did not vote on the proposal because it was a work session. But agreed to hear the sheriff’s formal proposal at next Tuesday’s regular council meeting.

The National Weather Service is warning that it is going to be a hot one this afternoon. You can expect a heat Index of 95 to 100 Degrees this afternoon and early evening.

The combination of temperatures in the lower to mid 90s and dew point temperatures in the lower 70s could lead to some dangerous conditions. You should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and plan to limit your outdoor activity.

The heat index is also expected to reach 95 to 100 degrees during
the afternoon and early evening Tuesday through Thursday.

Four teens were hospitalized after a crash that stemmed from drag racing in Jackson County last week involving a Columbus driver.

According to Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, officers were called to the area of County Road 550 North in the 4000 block East Thursday around 10 p.m. on reports of a rollover crash. That’s about 4.5 miles west of downtown Seymour. When officers arrived they found a red 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck on its top in a field nearly 50 yards away from the road, according to our news-gathering partners at Network Indiana.

The driver of the truck, Brandon Stuckwisch, 17, of Vallonia, and a 15-year-old front seat passenger from Seymour were both ejected from the vehicle. A 15-year-old girl from Seymour and a 16-year-old girl from Freetown were also passengers in the truck.

Both Stuckwisch, who was listed in critical condition, and his front seat passenger were airlifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. The other passengers were also hospitalized for their injuries.

Investigators at the scene learned the crash happened after Stuckwisch and another driver, Sidney Williams, 23, of Columbus, were drag racing in the area. According to authorities, Williams’ white 2004 Dodge Ram and Stuckwisch’s truck made contact before Stuckwisch’s truck spun out of control and rolled over several times.

Neither Williams nor his two passengers were injured in the crash.

The crash remains under investigation.