Hartford City council passes 2027 salary ordinance 3-1 over Dudelston's objection to council raise

The Hartford City Common Council approved its 2027 salary ordinance Nov. 2 in a 3-1 vote. The ordinance raises each council member's pay up from $7,908 in 2026.

Council members Michael Wolfe, Tracey Witt and Bill Aspy voted yes. Councilman Ron Dudelston of District 4 voted no. Councilman Tony Scaggs was absent.

No council member discussed the ordinance before the vote, according to the city's recording of the meeting.

Dudelston commented on council pay in September

Dudelston first spoke about council pay on Sept. 8, when the council held the first reading of the 2027 budget.

"I believe, in my opinion and my opinion only at this point, the council is adequately compensated for what we do," Dudelston said. He said he wanted no increase in council pay for 2027.

Scaggs responded, "I would support that as well."

Clerk-Treasurer Dana Whatley asked whether the council wanted a motion on the issue. She said she would be drafting the salary ordinance and wanted to know what to put in it. No motion was made.

The council then approved the first reading of the budget 4-1. Dudelston voted no.

'A good place to hold the line'

The Blackford Ledger asked Dudelston about his votes in October. He said in an email exchange that the city budget was fair and lean. He pointed to a 2025 state tax law as a reason to limit spending.

"As you may be aware, Indiana Senate Bill 1, passed in 2025 and in its current form, may negatively impact local government budgets," Dudelston wrote. "Although the increase for 2027 Hartford City budget was minimal and the overall budget is very fair and lean, the Common Council's salary would be a good place to hold the line on spending. Therefore, I voted no."

The state law, Senate Enrolled Act 1, changes how local income taxes are set and shared. At the Sept. 8 meeting, Mayor Dan Eckstein announced a Sept. 16 meeting of local governments to discuss the changes. Council minutes describe the changes as beginning in 2029.

The Ledger reported on a state consultant's forecast of the law's local effects on Sept. 29.

The 2027 budget

At a Sept. 8 public hearing, Whatley described the 2027 budget.

"It's pretty similar to last year's budget with a 1% increase for salaries," she said. She said the salary ordinances would come to the council in October.

The 2027 budget totals $6,280,085. That figure does not include the city's water, wastewater and sanitation utilities.

The city's total property tax levy for 2027 is $3,564,886, up from $3,306,149 in 2026. That is an increase of about 7.8%.

Two funds account for the increase:

• Motor Vehicle Highway, up 61.6%, from $324,890 to $525,000

• Debt Service, up 45.4%, from $165,307 to $240,350

The general fund levy dropped 0.6%.

What council members earn

In 2026, each of the five council members earns $7,908 a year. The council's combined pay for 2026 is $39,540.

Council members can also earn stipends of $500 each, up to three per member. Stipends cover serving as council president pro tem and on boards such as the Area Plan Commission, Animal Control Board and Solid Waste Board. To qualify, a member must attend at least 75% of that board's meetings.

Other members did not respond

The Ledger emailed Wolfe, Witt, Aspy and Scaggs on Nov. 4. Each was asked to explain their vote and whether the council pay increase was appropriate. Scaggs was also asked about his Sept. 8 comment and how he would have voted, since he was absent for the final vote.

None had responded by publication.