Jeffersonville considers governmental overhaul

A new state classification could dramatically change the way Jeffersonville is governed.

Two new elected seats would be created — making for a nine-member Jeffersonville City Council. And the person in charge of the finances — an appointed city controller — would replace the elected clerk-treasurer.

All it would take is a new population count and an ordinance, after the city’s planned annexation of the Oak Park area goes through at the beginning of next year, to take Jeffersonville from a third-class to a second- class city.

While council member aren’t sold on asking for the new classification, it is being considered. The body met Monday in a special session with Ann Cottongim, associate executive director of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, regarding the matter.

Cottongim said she wouldn’t give the council a recommendation on whether to change its classification, but would highlight some of the differences between the two.

In order for Jeffersonville to qualify as a second-class city, it would have to have a population of more than 35,000. Right now, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates Jeffersonville’s population at 29,627. However, the Oak Park annexation — held up in court during the last year — is expected to bring in thousands more now living east and north of the city limits.

No elected official would lose office, but the changes would take effect during the next municipal election cycle in 2011.

What is now the clerk-treasurer’s office would become just the clerk’s office. It would be in charge of records management, ordinances, resolution, contracts, meeting notices, historic documents, public records and other matters, Cottongim said.

A controller — who would be appointed by the mayor — would oversee financial and budget matters.

“That’s a big change. For many communities, the larger communities, it does work,” Cottongim said.

She noted smaller changes, as well.

The threshold at which the city has to bid public projects would rise from $50,000 to $75,000. Jeffersonville also would have the power to create an extra sales tax, known as a Community Revitalization Enhancement District if it were a second-class city.

Additionally, she said, second-class cities tend to have more clout with state legislators. However, distribution of federal and state highway and other dollars would not change, because they are based on population rather than class.

Council members had mixed feelings on the issue.

“I’ve not made up my mind yet,” said Connie Sellers, council president.

She said it was too early to say definitively how she would vote if such an ordinance was pushed for.

“There’s a lot to think about,” she said.

“We have quite a bit of time before we have to make a decision,” said Councilman Nathan Samuel. “I think there’s a lot of value to it,” he added, saying it could give the city more credibility when petitioning the state.

According to Cottongim, there are 120 cities in Indiana — 100-third class cities; 19 second-class cities and one first-class city — Indianapolis.

In other business

• A resolution that would require the city council to go paperless was tabled, pending further review. A similar resolution — encouraging the council to do so — is on the books.

Keith Fetz, who introduced the measure, said he believed the council could save a half-million dollars in paper cost during the next 10 years by reducing paper usage.

The resolution would apply to packets that are given to council member before each meeting. Fetz believes the packets could be distributed via e-mail. Members could use city-provided laptops to view the packets.

They could also print the packets out at home, if they were completely opposed to going paperless, he said.

• The council approved an amendment to its credit card ordinance that allows the city’s Parks and Recreation Department to have two additional cards. Sellers, who sponsored the ordinance, said the cards were needed because the department doesn’t have a high enough credit limit to cover summer programs, such as youth trips.

The matter was passed on all three readings, meaning it will not have to come up for an additional vote. Council members voted unanimously to suspend parliamentary rules and pass it on all three readings. Councilman Mike Smith then voted against the ordinance itself, making it a 6-1 vote.

The change brings the total number of city credit cards to 21.

Clark County

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