Sellersburg amends retiree insurance fund and approves $5,000 pension appropriation

The Town of Sellersburg council on Dec. 15 adopted an ordinance amending the town’s retiree insurance fund and approved an additional appropriation of $5,000 to cover a pension payment for a widow.

Ordinance 2025-ORD-026 replaces Section 9 of Ordinance 2009-028 so that funds for the retirees insurance fund now originate from the general fund, the town’s water utility and its sewer utility rather than (previously) the police towing fund. Town staff explained the towing fund no longer reliably generates sufficient revenue to cover expected retiree payouts, so the funding sources were broadened.

The council opened a brief public hearing as required, received no comments from registered speakers, waived the full reading of the ordinance and approved adoption on a voice vote. The council then introduced Ordinance 2025-ORD-027 to appropriate additional sums, including a $5,000 appropriation for the Metro police pension, waived reading and approved that ordinance by voice vote as well.

Town staff and council members characterized both actions as administrative budget housekeeping designed to ensure funds are available when retiree liabilities come due; staff said future retiree payments will be budgeted from the department where the retiring employee served.

The ordinances take effect on passage; staff noted they will implement the revised funding plan and make the appropriation payment as budgeted.