The Shelbyville Common Council voted down a measure Monday that would raise taxes for residents.
The council considered an ordinance that would re-establish the cumulative capital development fund rate at up to 5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation on properties.
That fund is used to fund police cars, firetrucks, ambulance leases and other such emergency vehicles.
The rate for the fund decreases gradually on its own unless it is re-established, and is now 2.54 cents per $100. The fund can be used to receive about $500,000 per year and now receives about $270,000.
The council hadn't seriously considered re-establishing the fund this year until Monday's meeting. Mayor Tom DeBaun mentioned that the city was using a financial consultant to help restructure the city's budget and finances. Re-establishing the rate was one of the consultant's recommendations to improve revenue.
"I think raising taxes should be our last option," said council member Ron Hamilton, R-Ward 4, who voted against the measure.
Voting nay with Hamilton was David Carmony, R-Ward 2, to make the vote 3-2 with Rob Nolley, R-Ward 3, and council President Brian Asher, R-At Large, absent. Since a majority of the seven-member council did not vote for the ordinance, it died.
If either of those members had voted for the ordinance, it would have passed on the first reading. Another vote at another meeting and a 30-day remonstrance period were also needed to make the ordinance law.
The council had used racino money to bolster the cumulative capital development fund, allowing the police department to purchase several new squad cars a few months ago.
The ordinance is all but dead because of the time it would take to advertise the ordinance again, the remonstrance period and the two votes. All that would have to take place before August.
"Due to time constraints, it's unlikely to be brought back up again," City Attorney Trent Meltzer said.
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