Common Council agenda & minutes — January 6, 2026

January 6, 2026 · 6 pages
This text was read off the city’s scanned PDF by optical character recognition. It will contain misreadings — names and numbers especially. The original scan is the record — read it here ↗
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MARION COMMON COUNCIL AGENDA e

PRESIDENT - NICK MCKINLEY VICE PRESIDENT - GARY FORDYCE

Regular Meeting — Marion City Hall Council Chambers CITY of MARION
Date: January 6, 2026 COMMON COUNCIL
Time: 7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER

PRAYER: Pastor Joandy Angrand, God's House

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilman Nick McKinley

ROLL CALL

RECOGNITION-SPOTLIGHT:

CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 116, 2025
B. CONSIDERATION OF PRE-APPROVED CLAIMS
C. CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS

COMMITTEE REPORTS

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

General Ordinance 30-2025- Amending monthly water user rates vote to override Mayor’s veto

An ordinance amending the monthly water user rates and charges for the city of Marion, Indiana. Speaking:
Robin Shrader, Director of Marion Utilities

Executive summary: Introducing an ordinance to adopt water rates and charges sufficient to support the
Utility’s ongoing revenue requirements and obligations under Indiana Code 8-1.5-3-8.

General Ordinance 32-2025-Ecomomic Development Commission ordinance 2"4 reading public hearing
An ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Marion amending the City of Marion Code of Ordinances.
Speaking: Mayor Morrell, Jr. and Barnes & Thornburg, LLP

Executive summary: The City of Marion previously created the Marion Economic Development Commission. The
Commission assists the city in financing economic development facilities through the issuance

of economic development revenue bonds. While the Commission has been a longstanding body

of the City, their enabling authorities have never been codified into the City’s Municipal Code of

Ordinances. Additionally, the city would like to increase the number of Commissioners from 3

to 5, as is permitted by Indiana law, to meet the growing demands of the Commission.

ANNOUNCEMENTS


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REGULAR MEETING —~ MARION COMMON COUNCIL — JANUARY 6, 2026 — 7:00 P.M. —
CITY HALL

The Common Council of the City of Marion, Indiana met in a regular session on TUESDAY, the 6th day
of January 2026, at the hour of 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hail.

On the call of the roll the members were shown to be absent or present as follows:

Present: Cain, Marshall, Fordyce, Brunner, Cline, Devine, Whitton, Cowgill, McKinley.

Absent:

Prayer: Pastor Joandy Angrand, God’s House

Pledge of Allegiance: Councilman Nick McKinley

SPOTLIGHT/RECOGNITION: None.

CONSENT AGENDA FOR JANUARY 6th preapproved claims and claims for JANUARY 6", 2026.
President Brian Cowgill moves for a motion to approve the consent agenda, which includes the approval
of minutes for December 16, 2025, pre-approved claims, and claims.

Motion to approve consent agenda- McKinley, second Cline. Aye: Cain, Marshall, Fordyce, Brunner,
Cline, Devine, McKinley, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion passes.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
None

General Ordinance 30-2025- Amending monthly water use rates vote to override veto
An ordinance amending the monthly water user rates and charges for the city of Marion, Indiana.

¢ Robin Schrader introduces Chris Janak and Jennifer Wilson to discuss the financial situation of
the Marion utilities.

e Chris Janak explains the financial shortfall, the need for a 125% coverage ratio, and the potential
consequences of not meeting this requirement, including state intervention and increased rates.

e Jennifer Wilson elaborates on the financial flow and the impact of recent loan and bond payments
on the utility's financial health.

e Nick McKinley questions the timing of the financial crisis and the impact of employee pay raises
on the utility's finances.

Debate on Financial Responsibility and Employee Compensation

e Robin Schrader defends the utility's pay raise decisions, emphasizing the importance of employee
retention and the historical context of wage adjustments.

e Brian Cowgill and Nick McKinley express concerns about the financial management of the utility
and the impact on taxpayers.

¢ The discussion highlights the need for a compromise and the potential for future rate increases to
address the financial shortfail.

Final Considerations and Council Decision

e Mayor Ronald Morrell explains his decision to veto the rate increase, citing the financial burden
on citizens and the need for a collaborative approach to rate setting.

¢ Chris Janak reiterates the urgency of addressing the financial shortfall and the potential
consequences of not doing so.

Motion to uphold the mayor’s veto for General Ordinance 30-2025- Cain, second Brunner. Aye: Cain,
Marshall, Brunner, Devine, Whitton, Mc Kinley, Cowgill. Nay: Fordyce, and Cline. Motion passes.

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General Ordinance 32- 2025-Economic Development Commission Ordinance 2™ reading public hearing
An Ordinance of the Marion Common Council amending Order of Business on the Marion City Council
agenda.

e Mayor Ronald Morrell introduces the Economic Development Commission Ordinance, proposing
to increase the number of commissioners from three to five to better manage economic
development projects.

Public hearing
e Bill Creech raises concerns about adding positions during a financial crisis, but Nick McKinley
clarifies that the positions are voluntary and will not incur additional costs.
Public hearing closed.

Motion to suspend the rules for General Ordinance 32-2025 to -Cain, second McKinley Aye: Cain,
Marshall, Fordyce, Brunner, Cline, Devine, Whitton, Cowgill, McKinley. Nay: none. Motion passes.

Motion to pass General Ordinance 32-2025- McKinley, second Cain. Aye: Cain, Marshall, Fordyce,
Brunner, Cline, Devine, Whitton, McKinley, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion passes.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.

Motion to adjourn- McKinley, second Brunner. Aye: Cain, Marshall, Fordyce, Brunner, Cline, Devine,
Whitton, wan Nay: none. Motion passes.

d{ourned at 8:06 pm.

Brian Cowgill=President

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MARION COMMON COUNCIL AGENDA e

PRESIDENT - NICK MCKINLEY VICE PRESIDENT - GARY FORDYCE

Regular Meeting — Marion City Hall Council Chambers CITY of MARION
Date: January 6, 2026 COMMON COUNCIL
Time: 7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER

PRAYER: Pastor Joandy Angrand, God's House

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilman Nick McKinley

ROLL CALL

RECOGNITION-SPOTLIGHT:

CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 116, 2025
B. CONSIDERATION OF PRE-APPROVED CLAIMS
C. CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS

COMMITTEE REPORTS

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

General Ordinance 30-2025- Amending monthly water user rates vote to override Mayor’s veto

An ordinance amending the monthly water user rates and charges for the city of Marion, Indiana. Speaking:
Robin Shrader, Director of Marion Utilities

Executive summary: Introducing an ordinance to adopt water rates and charges sufficient to support the
Utility’s ongoing revenue requirements and obligations under Indiana Code 8-1.5-3-8.

General Ordinance 32-2025-Ecomomic Development Commission ordinance 2"4 reading public hearing
An ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Marion amending the City of Marion Code of Ordinances.
Speaking: Mayor Morrell, Jr. and Barnes & Thornburg, LLP

Executive summary: The City of Marion previously created the Marion Economic Development Commission. The
Commission assists the city in financing economic development facilities through the issuance

of economic development revenue bonds. While the Commission has been a longstanding body

of the City, their enabling authorities have never been codified into the City’s Municipal Code of

Ordinances. Additionally, the city would like to increase the number of Commissioners from 3

to 5, as is permitted by Indiana law, to meet the growing demands of the Commission.

ANNOUNCEMENTS


===== page 5 =====
REGULAR MEETING —~ MARION COMMON COUNCIL — JANUARY 6, 2026 — 7:00 P.M. —
CITY HALL

The Common Council of the City of Marion, Indiana met in a regular session on TUESDAY, the 6th day
of January 2026, at the hour of 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hail.

On the call of the roll the members were shown to be absent or present as follows:

Present: Cain, Marshall, Fordyce, Brunner, Cline, Devine, Whitton, Cowgill, McKinley.

Absent:

Prayer: Pastor Joandy Angrand, God’s House

Pledge of Allegiance: Councilman Nick McKinley

SPOTLIGHT/RECOGNITION: None.

CONSENT AGENDA FOR JANUARY 6th preapproved claims and claims for JANUARY 6", 2026.
President Brian Cowgill moves for a motion to approve the consent agenda, which includes the approval
of minutes for December 16, 2025, pre-approved claims, and claims.

Motion to approve consent agenda- McKinley, second Cline. Aye: Cain, Marshall, Fordyce, Brunner,
Cline, Devine, McKinley, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion passes.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
None

General Ordinance 30-2025- Amending monthly water use rates vote to override veto
An ordinance amending the monthly water user rates and charges for the city of Marion, Indiana.

¢ Robin Schrader introduces Chris Janak and Jennifer Wilson to discuss the financial situation of
the Marion utilities.

e Chris Janak explains the financial shortfall, the need for a 125% coverage ratio, and the potential
consequences of not meeting this requirement, including state intervention and increased rates.

e Jennifer Wilson elaborates on the financial flow and the impact of recent loan and bond payments
on the utility's financial health.

e Nick McKinley questions the timing of the financial crisis and the impact of employee pay raises
on the utility's finances.

Debate on Financial Responsibility and Employee Compensation

e Robin Schrader defends the utility's pay raise decisions, emphasizing the importance of employee
retention and the historical context of wage adjustments.

e Brian Cowgill and Nick McKinley express concerns about the financial management of the utility
and the impact on taxpayers.

¢ The discussion highlights the need for a compromise and the potential for future rate increases to
address the financial shortfail.

Final Considerations and Council Decision

e Mayor Ronald Morrell explains his decision to veto the rate increase, citing the financial burden
on citizens and the need for a collaborative approach to rate setting.

¢ Chris Janak reiterates the urgency of addressing the financial shortfall and the potential
consequences of not doing so.

Motion to uphold the mayor’s veto for General Ordinance 30-2025- Cain, second Brunner. Aye: Cain,
Marshall, Brunner, Devine, Whitton, Mc Kinley, Cowgill. Nay: Fordyce, and Cline. Motion passes.

===== page 6 =====
General Ordinance 32- 2025-Economic Development Commission Ordinance 2™ reading public hearing
An Ordinance of the Marion Common Council amending Order of Business on the Marion City Council
agenda.

e Mayor Ronald Morrell introduces the Economic Development Commission Ordinance, proposing
to increase the number of commissioners from three to five to better manage economic
development projects.

Public hearing
e Bill Creech raises concerns about adding positions during a financial crisis, but Nick McKinley
clarifies that the positions are voluntary and will not incur additional costs.
Public hearing closed.

Motion to suspend the rules for General Ordinance 32-2025 to -Cain, second McKinley Aye: Cain,
Marshall, Fordyce, Brunner, Cline, Devine, Whitton, Cowgill, McKinley. Nay: none. Motion passes.

Motion to pass General Ordinance 32-2025- McKinley, second Cain. Aye: Cain, Marshall, Fordyce,
Brunner, Cline, Devine, Whitton, McKinley, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion passes.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.

Motion to adjourn- McKinley, second Brunner. Aye: Cain, Marshall, Fordyce, Brunner, Cline, Devine,
Whitton, wan Nay: none. Motion passes.

d{ourned at 8:06 pm.

Brian Cowgill=President