Welcome to The Timesheet. This column is a report of work done on behalf of the people of Hamilton County. It’s to be informative, too – a place to learn about projects and how our county government works.
As your employee, it’s important to me that you know what is being worked on as transparently as possible in county government. You hired me as your County Councilman, and my hope is that you will choose to be informed by regularly reading this column, getting involved, considering volunteering, and by asking questions.
Council meetings are at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month at the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center in downtown Noblesville. Meetings are also available to watch online for those unable to attend in person.
Here is where my time this past month has been spent.
In addition to the County Council public meetings, January work included: watching Board of Commissioners public meetings, a Regional Development Commission meeting, attending and watching Noblesville and Cicero Town Council meetings, meeting with the government affairs team from Parkview Health, attending a Cicero Jackson Township Planning meeting, attending the IMMI Culture Amplifier: Faith Forward Collaboration meeting with several local business leaders, and a Council Executive session.
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The in-person January personnel committee meeting was cancelled in lieu of a poll of the voting committee members. The poll addressed one request for reclassification of three part-time law clerk positions from Judicial Services, two requests from the Sheriff’s Department to reclassify two existing positions, and one request to hire above basic level one from the Prosecutor’s Office.
All requests were approved after committee members reviewed the supporting documentation. The requests were moved on to the full council for a final approval vote. The finance committee did not meet this past month. The insurance committee did not meet this past month.
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During January I received two constituent service requests and communications. A local not-for-profit organization, Rapha Road, works with reentry and recovering individuals helping them with beating addiction, housing, employment, and recovery. They asked for assistance in finding a place in Hamilton County that could be used as a working farm and to create affordable housing for those whom they serve. After researching their organization and potential available solutions I connected their leadership team with Commissioner Altman as she champions so many of the initiatives in County Government that address these issues.
The second request focused on where in Hamilton County acreage could be found to build affordable housing. The constituent, frustrated with many of the local planning and zoning authorities, had already met with two Hamilton County Commissioners and was asking me about the possibility of securing county assistance in locating ground for development of affordable housing within the county. After meeting and reviewing his plans for development, I offered my thoughts and suggestions on potential locations for this type of development. I reminded him that the council is merely the financial oversight body for County Government and that the Commissioners were the Executive branch, so any action from the County on this topic would come from the Commissioners. If it had financial implications to the taxpayers, then it would require Council’s involvement.
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Lastly, it was an honor to represent you this month at the Hamilton County Sherriff’s annual awards. It is always a special event to honor the men and women who serve the residents of Hamilton County in such an important way.
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Of special note this month, was a study of Hamilton County’s Real Time Information Center. It was quite a learning experience working with Lt. Brian Niec to get an in-depth understanding of the capabilities of this unit within the Sherriff’s Department.
The Hamilton County Real Time Information Center (HCRTIC or RTIC) is a centralized intelligence hub launched in November 2024 by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Carmel Police Department, Noblesville Police Department, and Hamilton County Public Safety Communications Center.
Located in Noblesville, it integrates real-time data from 911 dispatches, license plate readers, traffic/video surveillance cameras, and deployable drones to assist law enforcement and first responders. This enables faster suspect tracking, missing person location, efficient dispatching, and quicker emergency responses – such as during winter weather incidents – enhancing public safety across the county. As one example, recently, the location of a fire within a home was determined after the resident called 911 and before fire apparatus even arrived on scene. Images were available for first responders as they arrived.
I am pleased to report that Hamilton County is leading the way with state-of-the-art technology, information, and collaboration with first responders and other agencies. This use of technology is truly revolutionary and can serve the citizens well.
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This is my timesheet. This is where my time went during January 2026. While my job is primarily the financial oversight of the county budget, it is important that I understand the Board of Commissioners’ priorities and balance them with the stewardship of taxpayer dollars. That is the job, and I am excited to do the people’s business.
As a taxpayer myself, and listening to so many of you, our employers, it’s important for the taxpayers to have access to all the information you want. I work for you, and although you may not choose to do a deep dive into what your County Council does, it’s important that you can always do so.
Feel free to contact me at (317) 832-1104 or mark.hall@hamiltoncounty.in.gov with questions, feedback, or if you would like to talk about county business.
