The weather outside is warming up, but in Shelby County government, the freeze is coming fast.

Members of the Shelby County Council on Tuesday evening are expected to approve a hiring freeze for the remainder of the year.

At their meeting Monday morning, the County Commissioners unanimously passed the ordinance to stop hiring new employees, effective May 1 to Dec. 31.

Commissioner Kevin Nigh (R-North District) said the county's financial situation makes the freeze necessary.

“I know it's on the council's agenda for tomorrow night. They been working on it, discussing it. It needs to be done just to make sure everything stays in order throughout the rest of the year,” said Nigh.

The county has been struggling with declining tax receipts, due in part to tax appeals from so-called “big box” stores following a decision by the Indiana Tax Court on how those stores are assessed.

The Indiana General Assembly has been working on a bill to correct that situation.

Related to the hiring freeze, the commissioners took no action on a request by Lori Springer, director of the Shelby County Drug Free Coalition, to replace a staff member who's leaving.

In other matters, the commissioners approved a request by Mike Obergfell, a vice president with USI Consultants, (pictured) to seek bids to replace Bridge 11.

The bridge is located on County Road 800 North and spans the Snodgrass Ditch about one-half mile east of County Road 400 West.