The need to reinforce Munster’s police department is more important than what could happen with the town’s tax increment financing district that the town’s using to pay for it, according to one town councilman.
The Town Council at its August 19 meeting took up on second reading the ordinances that allow the town to use its TIF money to purchase 20 new police vehicles and hire eight new officers. The new salary increases, retroactive to June 21, will give First Class officers a 6% to 21% raise, bringing their average salaries to $88,000 from $84,000, the Post-Tribune previously reported.
Sergeants will receive a 5% to 15% raise; and Police Chief Steve Scheckel who, according to the Indiana Gateway was paid $122,844.14 in 2023, will get a $25,000 raise, bringing his salary to $147,844.14.
Probationary and Second-Class officers won’t be included in the raises, the Post-Tribune previously reported, but the ordinance changes the incoming officer hourly rate to $31.44.
Munster resident Ryan Dean said he was concerned that the town can’t meet its financial obligations without using its rainy-day fund — the TIF, “whose main purpose is for redevelopment.”
“If you took the minimum starting salary for a First-Class officer, it’ll cost an additional $650,000 a year, not including overtime,” Dean said. “There would be also an additional cost for take-home cars of roughly $150,000 per year. With the additional costs of benefits and considering that Munster is self-insured, we’re looking at $3 million per year in additional appropriations.”
“If you consider that both candidates who’re running for governor are looking at property-tax reductions — the town’s main source of income – we’re going to have some serious issues paying our debt going forward. I want the council to consider what they want to do with these funds going forward if the (TIF) allocations are not infinite and are going to end in roughly 10 years.”
All three of Indiana’s gubernatorial candidates — Republican Mike Braun, Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater — are proposing shifts in the property tax cap systems that will likely reduce the amount of property tax funds to municipalities. None of the plans, however, address how, or even if, the state will step in to shore up those funds.
Councilman Jonathan Petersen, R-5, said Dean’s comment “grossly mischaracterizes what is occurring here with this ordinance.”
“There was some suggestion that we are going deeply into debt in a way that’s unaffordable. That’s well beyond the truth,” Petersen said. “The reality here is that this is a process that has been studied by this council. Part of this purchase includes automobiles – police automobiles that won’t be occurring for a number of years. The alternative would be leasing these vehicles, but it was studied and determined that the purchase would provide enhanced benefits including staff retention and recruiting.
“I think the concern about what may happen 10 years from now — if and when with all the contingencies that go into that — pales in comparison to the immediate needs. I’m happy to support this motion.”
The council voted unanimously to pass it.
Councilman Chuck Gardiner, R-4, then questioned the second ordinance, which was a salary-ordinance amendment allowing for an additional four patrol officers, two sergeants and a deputy, by asking why the town was hiring six new officers before the budget process was completed in a few weeks.
Council President Dave Nellans, R-3, said it was because the town wants “to be prepared if we’re lucky enough to find officers worthy enough to be here.”
Gardiner pointed out that the police department will likely ask for more things during the budgeting process, but in the meantime, the Public Works department has had people leave, including its water-department lead two months ago, to which Nellans said another water-department employee passed some tests they need and the town has hired a firm to look for a new Public Works director.
For that ordinance, Gardiner cast the lone “No” vote.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter at the Post-Tribune.