Centerville council, clerk forego raises

Centerville’s council and clerk-treasurer won’t receive a pay increase in 2026 while the town sees how new state tax changes affect its finances.

Council approved the ordinance impacting its elected officials 5-0 during its Tuesday, Dec. 9, meeting.

Council President Dan Wandersee said the amount saved will be small, but it’s important to make sure employees’ compensation is secure.

Wandersee said the elected officials aren’t taking on the many meetings and other responsibilities for the money, but for their love of the community. He’s paid $4,113.69 per year; Vice President Gary Holbert earns $3,846.57; other members receive $3,579.44. Clerk-Treasurer Sarah Rice earns $39,150.

Employees’ 2026 compensation will be finalized at council’s 7 p.m. Dec. 30 work session at town hall, 220 E. Main St., Centerville. The public is invited.

Flood prevention

Gary Killen, stormwater board president, urged council to prioritize ditch clearing when water levels are at their minimums over the winter to prevent flooding in town during 2026.

Killen said when the board was formed, the town spent about $5,000 annually on maintenance, but it hasn’t spent those funds in several years. He said the town has been lucky recently. 

Wandersee asked Killen to compile a priority list for which areas need the most urgent work and submit it to council.

In other business

• The town will cover an increase in costs for employees to keep their 2025 insurance policies.
• Council reviewed a proposal from a broker to offer family life and accident policies to employees if desired. It wouldn’t be part of worker benefits.
• Police Chief Josh Millsaps said the department’s 2021 Tahoe is now paid off. Council granted permission to pursue quotes for a new vehicle. The department’s oldest vehicle on the road, a 2017 F-150, is used by a school resource officer. Its oldest reserve vehicles are a 2011 and a 2014 that are in rough shape, Millsaps said. Centerville Fire/Rescue is also considering purchasing a command vehicle.
• Centerville first responders were to deliver food boxes on Dec. 15 to help about 100 families, and police were to take eight children to Meijer on Dec. 13 to select gifts.
• Reserve police officer Eric Johnson’s resignation will take effect Dec. 31. He’s been in the department about seven years, assisting with parades and covering shifts. Millsaps said Johnson will be missed. Johnson told Millsaps that additional responsibilities have cut into the time he thought the department deserved.
• Council thanked Town Manager Kevin Slick for his efforts in Centerville receiving matching funds through Indiana’s Community Crossings program. Locust Lane will be paved from Elm Drive to Mulberry Boulevard as well as North Centerville Road from the northern town limits to Indiana Department of Transportation’s right of way. Council expects to award bids Feb. 10 to meet the state’s March 1 contract deadline.
• Council approved the town’s 2026 trash pickup schedule, which will be included in utility bills.
• Slick said Indiana Municipal Power Agency has paused work on the electric system conversion and will return after the holidays.

In addition, the town had no power outages in November caused by weather, tree branches or animals. “We must be doing something right,” Slick said.