CHARLESTOWN, Ind. (WDRB) — Clark County officials are facing a financial crisis as they work to replace fire trucks and equipment that were illegally sold by former Sheriff Jamey Noel.

The fallout could cost taxpayers up to $30 million and potentially increase property taxes by as much as 30%. Property taxpayers in Utica can expect to shoulder the highest increases.

The burden will also extend to commercial property owners. 

The Utica Township Fire and EMS building now sits vacant, with a "No Trespassing" sign posted on the front. The department's trucks and equipment were sold by Noel without authorization, leaving the county scrambling to fill the void.

"You know, in a bit of a lurch from that, to say the least," Charlestown Mayor Treva Hodges said. "His poor management of that entire situation has sort of led us to where we are today."

To temporarily address the loss, the Jeffersonville Fire Department has stepped in to provide equipment and personnel. However, officials say a permanent solution is needed — a brand-new fire department.

That solution comes with a hefty price tag of $30 million. The funds would come from property taxes, but the impact would ripple across the budgets of other cities, schools, and townships. Indiana property taxpayers are protected from increases, but on the flip side, governing bodies are limited on how much they receive. 

Charlestown Mayor Treva Hodges said the city stands to lose nearly $500,000 over the next three years, forcing difficult budget decisions.

"The city of Charlestown is growing, which means we have to provide police, fire, library services," Hodges said. "By making this decision, they will be negatively impacting every other unit’s public safety fund. That’s just mind-boggling to me that this would be the go-to solution when we haven’t even had time to talk about it."

Hodges said she may have to cut police funding to offset the loss. Other officials also expressed concerns about the long-term impact.

At a recent meeting in Jeffersonville, Greater Clark County Schools Superintendent Mark Laughner warned that the financial strain could force the district to cut staff and adjust student transportation services.

"Because this will decimate our operations plan, our operations fund," Laughner said. "We will more than likely have to cut transportation routes. Instead of 1- or 2-mile walk zones, we’re talking about 3- or 4-mile walk zones, potentially."

As county leaders continue to weigh their options, taxpayers and local officials remain concerned about how to balance public safety needs with the financial burden. 

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