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The Clerk-Treasurer’s office manages the collection, investment, and safeguarding of all City of New Castle funds. We handle the final financial reconciliation for all city departments—overseeing revenue from utility payments, bus fares, permits, fines, and more.
Our mission is to maintain the highest standards of fiscal integrity and transparency for the citizens of New Castle.
Accounts Payable & Public Records: The Clerk-Treasurer’s
office oversees all city expenditures, including municipal payroll and
state/federal tax compliance. Additionally, the office serves as the
secretary to the City Council and Board of Public Works—preparing
agendas, recording meeting minutes, and maintaining the official custody
of all public records, ordinances, and contracts.
Leadership: Elected to a four-year term, the
Clerk-Treasurer independently manages office policies, personnel, and
the department's general fund budget, which is submitted annually to the
City Council for approval.
Public Information & Public Records: Citizens may view or request copies of public records at the
Clerk-Treasurer's office during regular business hours. Available public
information includes:
How do General and Utility Funds differ?
The primary difference is how they are funded and what they pay for:
The General Fund covers the city's day-to-day operations and public services (like police, fire, and parks). It is primarily funded by local property taxes, income taxes, state taxes (like gasoline and cigarette taxes), and city service fees.
The Utilities Fund operates strictly like a business. New Castle’s water and sewer utilities do not use tax dollars. Instead, they are completely self-funded through user fees and the utility rates paid by the residents and businesses who use the services. These rates are established and approved by the City Council.
How is the city's annual budget determined?
Each year, the Mayor (executive branch) prepares a proposed budget detailing the funds needed to run the city. The City Council (legislative branch) reviews, adjusts, and adopts this budget, officially setting the spending limits for the calendar year.
Once approved, the Mayor cannot spend more than the Council has authorized unless the Common Council determines there is an emergency need for additional funding.
Which state agencies oversee city finances?
Two main Indiana state agencies review these financial decisions:
City Budgets: After the City Council passes the annual budget, it is reviewed by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) to ensure it complies with state spending controls and tax limits.
Utility Rates: Water department rate changes are reviewed and approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Sewer rates are classified as a service rather than a commodity, so they do not require state-level agency review.
Why use short-term financing?
The city relies heavily on property tax revenues, which are collected by the county and distributed to the city twice a year. If state-level delays push back these distributions, or if state caps limit the funds the city can carry over from the previous year, short-term financing bridges the gap until those tax revenues arrive.
By law, any short-term funds borrowed for this purpose must be fully repaid by December 31st of that same year.
How are major city projects funded?
Large capital projects—like road improvements or new city facilities—are funded separate from the day-to-day annual budget using three main methods:
Grants: The city aggressively pursues state and federal grants, though these usually require local matching funds and rarely cover the entire cost.
Bonds (General Fund): For community projects, the city borrows funds through long-term bonds approved by the City Council and the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF). These are repaid over time through local property tax levies.
Utility Revenues: For water or sewer infrastructure, projects are funded by bonds repaid through utility rates, with water rate adjustments subject to approval by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).
What is a utility rate study?
A utility rate study is an independent financial review conducted by professional auditors or accountants. Because city utilities operate like standalone businesses, these studies analyze operational costs to determine if current customer rates are sufficient to cover expenses and infrastructure maintenance.
These studies are legally required by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) whenever a change to the water rate structure is proposed.
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