Small business center asks county to keep $15,000 support level

Five Wayne County small businesses that began last year received help from the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center.

The Muncie-based regional location to assist entrepreneurs and small business owners met with 44 Wayne County clients last year, said Judy Porter, the regional director, during a June 18 presentation to Wayne County Council members and commissioners at their monthly workshop. Porter requested the county continue during 2026 with its $15,000 annual support for the 11-county regional center.

Support from the counties helps the regional center provide workshops and advise clients at no cost about business planning, financials and marketing, while also connecting them to other available resources. The Indiana Small Business Development Center, which was established in 1984, is housed within the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Porter said the regional group is now collaborating with Indiana University East and Earlham College to reach students.

The county’s financial contributions have come from the consolidated economic development income tax fund designated to support economic development.

2026 budgets

Council has scheduled a full day of departmental budget hearings for July 16; however, they got an early start during workshop with two department heads who are not available that day.

Matthew Cain, director of the emergency management agency and emergency communications center, and Sheriff Randy Retter presented their proposed budgets to council, explaining changes those budgets contain.

The 911 call software has been replaced, and the new, pricier maintenance contract adds $21,000 to Cain’s requests. The ongoing emergency radio communications project that will install equipment on two new towers also created increases in Cain’s budgets. The monthly lease payment for putting the county’s equipment on the towers is $8,350, or $100,200 for the year. Cain also will now receive utility bills for the equipment on site; however, he does not yet know how much those bills will be.

Retter presented an increase in the jail budget because of a new May-to-April contract with Quality Correctional Care to provide inmate medical care. The care will cost $1,003,650.09 in 2026, which is an increase of about $138,000; however, with other savings, Retter requests an overall budget increase of $132,000.

In the enforcement budget, Retter’s request includes an additional $126,337 for pension fund contributions. Those are anticipated at $663,207 in 2026.

WCTV contract

Council members and commissioners agreed the county should pursue a six-month trial contract with Whitewater Community Television to livestream and record county government meetings in accordance with new state requirements taking effect July 1.

WCTV proposed charging $250 per hour for meeting coverage, including a half-hour for travel and preparation work. The proposal anticipates 237 hours during a year, which would make a 12-month contract $59,250.

The proposal replaces the money Wayne County pays from Comcast franchise fees it receives. The county has committed $25,000 for 2025, leaving $12,500 still to be paid. With that money applied to the contract, it’s expected council would only need to fund about $17,500 for the remainder of 2025.

Among points spoken in favor of the six-month trial contract are not tying up the county’s IT department with it handling the streaming and recording, WCTV’s professional quality, and the transparency of having a third party provide the service.

Health board

Rodger Smith, a former county council member, was appointed during workshop to the county’s Board of Health. He will replace Jeff Butler, who is no longer eligible for the board after moving to Indianapolis.

The health board recommended Smith and Brandon Guth to council for consideration, noting that Smith has budgeting and administration skills and Guth has medical skills. Council, with the exception of member Cathy Williams, preferred Smith’s skill set for the board, recommending 6-1 that commissioners appoint him.

The commissioners then immediately voted 3-0 to appoint Smith.

Job postings

Council members supported posting three jobs to attract applicants.

The positions are a civil process clerk in the sheriff’s department, a truck driver in the highway department and a legal assistant in Superior Court 1. 

Council has budgeted the past two years for three courts to have a legal assistant. Moore plans to share the position with the other two courts to help cover when staff members are absent. Council member Misty Hollis voted against posting that position, preferring council to discuss it during the 2026 budgeting process.