Budget funds ‘face of the city building’

An information clerk could again greet visitors to Richmond Police Department next year.

The clerk’s position was eliminated during 2026 budget cuts; however, during Sept. 22 discussions for the 2027 budget, Richmond Common Council voted to fund two part-time clerk positions.

Council President Justin Burkhardt initiated discussion about staffing the information desk, which is at the lower-level entrance to Richmond Municipal Building during the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. business hours. He said it would benefit all city offices, because in addition to handling police business, the clerk provides wayfinding assistance for building visitors.

This year, those conducting business with RPD ring a doorbell communication device that is answered by an officer. RPD Chief Kyle Weatherly said it “would be wonderful” to again have an information clerk, but his budget could not support it. Burkhardt recommended the city as a whole fund a position that would be the “face of the city building.” 

Because all of the departments’ budgets are in the general fund, council decided funding for the position would be placed in the police department budget. Beth Fields, the city’s director of strategic initiatives, said the city could dip into cash reserves to fulfill council’s wish. Council initially approved a full-time position, but at the administration’s request, modified the approval to two part-time positions.

Two days after the Committee of the Whole meeting, the city advertised a total $60,710,700 budget on the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance’s Gateway website. See budget details at wwn.to/richmond27budget. 

That budget is lower than the $61,251,182 budget adopted for 2026. The 2027 budget is the second in council’s three-year mandate to balance the city’s budget. 

The proposed general fund budget of $27,093,910 is more than $2.3 million higher than the $24,738,254 adopted for 2026. The general fund budget proposals included $10,823,173 for RPD and $10,992,216 for Richmond Fire Department.

Other multi-million-dollar funds include health insurance, $9,293,737; motor vehicle highway, $3,539,863; emergency medical services, $3,337,576; parks and recreation, $3,202,445; fire pension, $2,305,853; and police pension, $2,176,044.

Council will conduct a 7 p.m. Oct. 5 public hearing about the budget, then plans budget adoption at 7 p.m. Oct. 19.

In addition to the information clerk positions, the budget restructures the infrastructure and development, human resources, finance and information technology departments. 

Infrastructure and development now includes a new building safety and community standards division with the building commissioner, three full-time and one part-time inspectors, a crew leader and two full-time and one part-time laborers. The part-time laborer is moving from off-street parking to boost the division’s capacity for mowing and maintenance.

A new city engineer position will head an engineering division that also includes a permit coordinator. Fields said not having an engineer has created delays and outsourcing for projects.

The department also plans to hire a mechanic to replace a retired contract worker. The mechanic would maintain all infrastructure and development vehicles, including Rose View Transit.

The city’s payroll and benefits administrator and payroll and benefits specialist move from the finance department to human resources. The GIS coordinator and the sanitary district IT position move to the IT department’s budget.

In addition, RFD plans to hire three civilian medics to alleviate overtime costs and member burnout.

Other discussions

• Council debated the best way to maintain oversight of spending once the budget is passed. This year, council appropriates money for expenditures exceeding $5,000; however, state financial agencies question the practice. Jerry Purcell moved that council approve all transfers within budgets, but that motion died for lack of a second.
• Council decided to explore reducing its contribution to Whitewater Community Television from cable television franchise fees Comcast pays the city. The city budgeted $92,255, which is half of its anticipated franchise fee revenue.
• Council delayed discussion about downtown parking issues. With more than 250 new apartments being created downtown, parking in the city’s parking garage and nine city-owned lots could become an issue. “If it works the way it’s supposed to work, we won’t have room for these cars,” said Larry Parker, adding the issue should be visited during a council meeting.
• Council indicated it would create a committee to evaluate spending the city’s disbursement from state settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers.