January 6, 2026 - Council Meeting

Council Meeting

January 6, 2026

6:00 pm

Present:          Council President: Cameron Emond, Council Vice President: Betty Hoster

Council Members: Michael Johnson, Janet Gross, and Chris Dye

Clerk Treasurer: Karie Holder, Deputy Clerk: Breanna Plantenga

Town Marshal/Street Commissioner: Jared Baer

Town Attorney: Jacob Ahler

Other: Steven Boyd, Daryl Orns, Carey Jordan, Chuck Watts, Steve Young, Janell Hofstetter, and Mindy Emond.

Council President Cameron Emond opened the Council Meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Nominations for Council president and Vice president were brought up for discussion. Council member Janet Gross made a motion to nominate Betty Hoster as Council President. Council member Chris Dye second the motion. Betty accepted the nomination, motion carried 5-0. Council president Betty Hoster made a motion to nominate Michael Johnson as Council vice President. Council member Janet Gross second the motion. Michael accepted the position, motion carried 5-0.

Department heads were presented for approval. Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to approve Kenneth Burns as Fire Chief, Steve Young as Ambulance Director, and Lori Bussell as the Wolcott Park Board Department Head. Council member Cameron Emond second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

The News & Review and the Herald Journal were presented for approval as the Town’s primary newspaper. Council Member Cameron Emond made a motion to approve the News & Review and the Herald Journal as the primary newspapers. Council Member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

The Bank of Wolcott was presented for approval as the Town’s primary depository. Council Member Janet Gross made a motion to approve the Bank of Wolcott as the primary depository. Council Vice President Michael Johsnon second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

The IACT, ILMCT, IIMC, Indiana Rural Water Alliance, American Water Works Association, and AIM Legal Counsel memberships were presented for approval. Council Vice President Michael Johsnon made a motion to approve the listed organization memberships. Council member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

The Council each signed their Compliance with Municipal Nepotism Policy.

The 2026 contract for janitorial services, done by Patty Stortz, was presented. Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to approve the contract. Council Member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

A 2026 representative is needed for KIRPC. Council Member Cameron Emond made a motion to keep Janet Gross as the KIRPC representative for 2026. Council Vice President Michael Johnson second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

A 2026 representative is needed for WCED. Council Member Cameron Emond made a motion to keep Michael Johnson as the 2026 representative for WCED. Council member Chris Dye second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

A 2026 representative is needed for RWCDC. Council member Chris Dye made a motion to keep Michael Johnson as the 2026 representative for RWCDC. Council Member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

The December 16, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes were presented for approval. Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes. Council Member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Jared Baer announced that Wastewater Superintendent, Jeff Province, is back at work after a couple weeks off. Jared stated that Justin Bowman filled in for Jeff while he was gone, and did a great job. Egglife has started their 30-day wastewater testing for IDEM. Jared then notified the Council that Deputy JR Northcutt’s truck is currently having repairs done.

Kenneth Burns, Fire Chief, announced that Santa did not go over as well this year, compared to last year. Kenny then told the Council that the surrounding Township Trustees are looking at putting warning sirens out in the county, for county residents.

Clerk treasurer Karie Holder stated that she has been working with consultant, Treeva Sarles, on 2025 Year-End reports.

Town Marshal Jared Baer reported that he has placed three cameras up around town for crime deterrent. Jared still has three more cameras to put up.

Resident, Steve Boyd, is requesting that the alley by his house be closed. Town Attorney Jacob Ahler, stated that the Town would have to vacate the alley with the county. After some discussion, Council President Betty Hoster told Steve to get a survey done to establish property lines. After the survey is done, the Council will move forward how they see fit.

White County Amendment A86 was brought up for discussion. Town Attorney Jacob Ahler, spoke with the White County attorney. Jacob then explained that if the Council does not pass the amendment, as written, then the town would resort back to the previous standing ordinance. The previous ordinance has less restrictions, than the amendment being presented. After much discussion, Council member Chris Dye made a motion to approve Amendment A86 as written. Council Vice President Michael Johnson second the motion. Motion carried 3-2, Council Members Cameron Emond and Janet Gross opposed.

Resolution 2026-0106 to encumber budget appropriations from 2025-2026, was presented for approval. Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-0106. Council Member Cameron Emond second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Organization donations were presented for consideration -

WCED: Council Member Cameron Emond made a motion to not donate anything to White County Economic Development. Council Member Chris Dye second the motion. Motion carried 4-1. Council Vice President Michael Johnson opposed.

Wolcott Mainstreet: Council President Betty Hoster asked Janell Hofstetter what the Mainstreet plans on spending their donation on this year. Janell gave a brief report on some of their plans for this year, as well as projects that they have done in the past. Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to donate $3000 to the Wolcott Mainstreet. Council Member Cameron Emond second the motion. Motion carried 4-0, Council Member Janet Gross abstained, as she is a member of the committee.

Wolcott Summer Festival Committee: Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to donate $3000 to the Wolcott Summer Festival Committee. Council member Cameron Emond second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Remington Wolcott Community Development Committee: Council Member Cameron Emond made a motion to donate $3000 to the RWCDC. Council Member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 4-0, Council Vice President Michael Johnson abstained, as he is a member of the committee.

The 2026 Council Meeting dates were presented for approval. Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to approve the dates as the first and third Tuesday of every month, with the second meeting being strictly for financials. Council Member Cameron Emond second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Chuck Watts, from the Wolcott Country & Gospel Music Series Committee, approached the Council to ask for a donation to his organization. Michael Johnson recommended a $250 donation, since that is what the Council gave to the Rockin’ Revival committee. Council Member Chris Dye made a motion to donated $250 to the Wolcott Country & Gospel Music Series. Council Member Cameron Emond second the motion. Motion carried 3-0, Council Vice President Michael Johnson and Council Member Janet Gross abstained due to being on the committee.

Council member Cameron Emond asked Town Attorney, Jacob Ahler, if there would be a way to annex west of town, without increasing the property taxes for land owners. Jacob will look into the details and will report back to the Council.

Meeting adjourned.