Be Kind
Weekly update #291 8/17/2025 to 8/23/2025
Every week is full of ups and downs, but this past week has seemed to have had more than usual. Before that though, let me share some of my week serving as mayor of the best small town in America.
This past week, I gave the 2026 budget one last look before I shared it with council for their review. With the signing of Senate Enrolled Act 1 at the state level earlier this year I knew it would be a year of challenges as we prepared the budget for next year. Trying to project inflation on everything from everyday supplies to fuel and utilities, as well as wanting to give our team members as much of a raise as possible, the decrease in revenue is noticeable. While the state has allowed local government to implement a local income tax down the road, that doesn’t make up for the lost property tax in 2026. Originally, we were told that 2028 would be the first year for the new LIT. Now, we are hearing that it may be longer. The first draft of the budget will show roughly a $250,000 decrease in cash on hand, which I believe we will make up for with a supplemental LIT payment similar to what we have received over the last few years, but we don’t figure that in as it is not guaranteed. Our department heads have also proven themselves over the years as being good at having unused appropriations at the end of the year which will help to offset that $250,000 as well. I look forward to Clerk-Treasurer Boas and Common Council reviewing it as I believe we have done a good job of finding the balance of tightening an already thin belt and still keeping the lights on and key staff in place. Thank you to all who have helped with input to get the budget where it currently is.
If you have read many of the previous 290 weekly updates, you have probably read about the Mayor’s Youth Council. Back in September of 2020 I spoke of the first meeting of the first group. Here we are in the sixth group of MYC members, and I am still just as impressed as I was back then. To say our community's future is bright is an understatement, and each year we find a few more ways to harness their energy as we try to help prepare them for the next steps in life. Areas like local history, food insecurity, and even the different cultures in our community have all been projects the members have brought to the group to be explored. Last year, for example, they chose to partner with Leadership Jackson County and host the first Crossroads of Culture event where they explored the different cultures here in Seymour. They took it a step farther by realizing that culture isn’t just different nationalities but can also be built in places like the firehouse or police station. The event had many booths with everything from exchange students sharing about the culture in their home countries to a booth that shared many interesting details about the Native American culture here in Indiana and beyond. One booth was hosted by someone that taught English as a Second Language in both Germany and Russia before they started a family back home here in Indiana. Youth council members, I will say an early thank you as I know you will help me grow over the coming year.
I started out this weekly update talking about highs and lows. This week, I saw friends receive good and bad medical news. I watched as a local company celebrated bringing production back to America. I learned that Jackson County unemployment has risen for the third straight month. I learned of the death of my cousin from a heart attack. While a funeral can often be a sad time, I made an observation at hers that brought a smile to my face. At 78, she had made an impact on many people from many different walks of life. The crowd at the viewing held hair colors both natural and not so natural. Tattoos, or none, didn’t matter to this group. Long hair or short hair, dread locks or buzz cuts, you could find it all. Marcy, thank you for one last reminder that looks don’t matter, and it is what is on the inside that counts and that being kind in today’s world can leave a strong, lasting memory. Today, I would like to leave you with a quote from novelist Brad Meltzer, “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”