LOOGOOTEE, Ind. — The Loogootee City Council convened Tuesday night in a meeting that combined routine municipal business with significant updates to city policies and heartfelt farewells to long-serving officials. The session, which included the approval of claims, adoption of key ordinances, and appointments for the year 2026, also introduced new officers and concluded with gratitude for outgoing members.
Council Leadership and Routine Business
The meeting began with a moment of silence to honor the life of former Loogootee Mayor Don Bowling, who passed away last week at the age of 97. Then, after a short moment of silence, the meeting started with the board discussing customary procedures, including roll call. Council President Dave Smith, Mayor Brian Ader, Carol Rayhill, Mary Holland, Mark McAtee, the Clerk Treasurer Lori Corrico, and Attorney Steve Teverbaugh were among those present. After a moment of silence to honor community members, the council quickly moved to approve the claims docket.
“You have a docket in front of you,” a council member said. “I did email that to you. I said there may be changes or something added today, but nothing was added. So this is exactly what you had to review in that email.” Another member affirmed, “I’ll make a motion that the claims are approved as presented.”
The claims were approved unanimously, and the council proceeded to new business, beginning with the election of council president for the coming year. “I nominate Dave Smith to be council president,” one member stated, a motion that was quickly seconded and approved.
Employee Handbook Changes: Flexibility for New Hires
The first major ordinance addressed amendments to the city’s employee handbook, specifically regarding vacation time. The proposed change would “allow, with the approval of the Board of Works, to deviate from the vacation allotment based on years of service for the purpose of hiring employees based on years of service and other similar jobs.”
“This allows them, kind of a lateral move, to bring vacation days with them,” another council member explained. “So we’re able to hire — yeah, basically allows the Board of Works to negotiate with particular potential employees.”
The motion passed with unanimous approval, a move the council hopes will make Loogootee more competitive in recruiting experienced municipal workers.
Fee Schedule for Extraordinary Services
The next ordinance established a new fee schedule for extraordinary services required during special events. The council outlined costs including “$300 per street intersection that would need to be closed, covering the cost for the use of concrete barriers and cones and labor involved; $100 flat fee per use of each electrical receptacle; restroom cleaning fee of $50 per day; and a $100 security deposit.”
Council members emphasized the need for clear and fair fees as the city continues to host and support a variety of community events. “Motion for this ordinance?” one member prompted, quickly followed by, “I’ll make the motion. Second.” The ordinance passed without opposition.
Special Events Ordinance: New Requirements and Restrictions
Perhaps the most debated topic was amendments to the special events ordinance. Notably, the council decided to “remove from the ordinance…the requirement to map out and a special…to a removed from it is no longer a plan for emergency evacuations, and other than that, and a requirement that 100% of the special of the extraordinary services will be paid prior to the prior to the event, as opposed to 50% of the extraordinary services paid prior to the event.”
Additionally, the amendment restricts event locations: “Any location besides the city park and green space may be considered with the exception that no location within 240 feet of the center of the town fountain shall be permitted as a location for special events.”
Before voting, a council member raised a clarifying question: “Have we really ever defined what a special event is?”
The response was immediate: “Special event is defined in the ordinance. It is defined in the ordinance.”
The council approved the changes, aiming to streamline event planning while ensuring city resources are managed responsibly.
Appointments for 2026: Boards and Committees Named
As the new year approaches, the council turned its attention to appointments for 2026, naming members to a lengthy list of boards and committees. These included the Board of Public Works and Safety, the Stormwater Utility Board, the Oversight Committee, the Martin County Solid Waste Board, the Land Use Planning/Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Redevelopment Commission, and several others.
Among the appointments:
- “Board of Public Works and Safety: Dana Strange, Mark McAtee, Danny Clark, Brandon Carrickle, and myself.”
- “Public Works Superintendent Daniel Schultz will be replacing both since his retirement. John Wagner will carry out the role where he’s currently at until he is leaving the ninth. Is that correct? Yes, sir, yeah, till the ninth, and then we’ll revisit that.”
- “Eric Thomas be the fire chief. Mr. Kebaul as the city attorney. Custodian is going to be Jana. Stormwater Utility Board: Bo Wilson. Oversight Committee: Karen Hill.”
- “Martin County Solid Waste Board: myself and Mike Engleman.”
- “Land Use Planning/Planning Commission: Eric Thomas, Jimmy Hunt, Lonnie Gregory, and Dana Strange.”
- “Board of Zoning Appeals: Dana Strange, Eric Thomas, Brandon Carrickle, Jim Floyd, and Jimmy Hunt.”
- “White River Military Coordination Alliance: Dana Strange takes care of that.”
- “Community Corrections Board: myself.”
- “Emergency Advisory Board: myself.”
- “Redevelopment Commission: Dana Strange, Mark Sheets, Samantha Alvarez, Justin Carrical and Dave Smith.”
The comprehensive list reflects the city’s broad range of civic activities and the council’s commitment to ensuring continuity and community involvement.
Farewells and New Faces
The meeting concluded with several members expressing gratitude for long-serving officials and welcoming new additions to the city’s team.
“I’d like to thank John for his service to the village. Good luck to you. Thank you,” one member said, while another added, “He stuck it out here. So we do appreciate.”
The introduction of new officers followed, with a council member noting, “Yeah, some of you have probably met Jared Stokey here. He’s still three. And then Bailey Reynolds here is one of our new officers. He goes to the academy January 5. He’s l6 right now. I don’t know him.”
Wrapping up the session, the council extended well wishes for the new year. “Alright, well, nothing else I make that motion. All in favor. Want to wish everybody a happy new year coming up, safe and happy new year.”
Looking Ahead
The Loogootee City Council’s actions reflect a city in transition, balancing the needs of its residents with the practicalities of municipal governance. With new leadership, updated ordinances, and a slate of appointments for the coming year, the council is positioning Loogootee for continued growth and effective management in 2026.
As the city moves forward, the council’s discussions—and the voices of its members—underscore the ongoing importance of local government in shaping community life. “The purpose mainly on this was to get the claims that need to be signed,” one member summarized early in the meeting, but by the end, it was clear the evening had been about much more: tradition, change, and planning for a vibrant future.