Jeff Plough loses board appointment after falling out of favor; questions emerge about city hall construction project
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Reorganization is a largely performative act for the Kokomo Common Council in most years. The council members appoint their leaders with little to no resistance and then head for home to govern another day. But not this year.
On Jan. 5, the council convened to conduct the housekeeping, but this time a political game was afoot. And in the process, the council members may have uncovered a significant misstep by the administration of Mayor Tyler Moore.
The reorganization began with little fanfare. Mayor Moore presided over the session as the council chose Greg Davis as its president for 2026. Davis assumed leadership over the meeting and opened the floor for nominations for vice president. Ray Collins was elected to the post after serving as president for the previous four years.
The council then chose to return Councilman Matt Grecu to the Kokomo Plan Commission as its representative. But the next assignment -- representation on the Kokomo Traffic Commission -- brought politics into the picture.
Councilman Jeff Plough had served in the position in 2025, and he accepted a nomination from Councilwoman Crystal Sanburn to return to the role. However, some among the council had other ideas.
Grecu quickly nominated Councilman Tony Stewart for the traffic commission position. Davis then called for a hand vote but was advised that the vote needed to be taken by roll call. As City Clerk Diane Howard called for a vote on Plough’s candidacy from Councilman Dave Capshaw, the First District representative gave pause, clearly distressed by the contest.
“I abstain,” said Capshaw. “Do they want to say anything before we vote?”
Davis agreed to allow each of the candidates to speak, and Plough took the opportunity.
“I’ve been on the traffic commission now for the past year,” said Plough. “I’ve appreciated being a part of that group and committee and believe that I still have the ability to offer some input and share information with our council members regarding those topics that come from that direction.”
Stewart declined to speak in favor of his candidacy, and Davis again called for a vote. This time, Capshaw voted against Plough. The vote went against Plough, 3-6, with Stephenson and Sanburn voting with him. The council again went through a roll call vote, and not surprisingly, Stewart received six votes in his favor.
The challenge against Plough was not unexpected. Certain council members were incensed last October when Plough voted against giving the council and the mayor pay raises in 2026, citing the establishment of new fees and tax assessments the council had just placed upon citizens.
“I advocated well over a month ago that we not have raises at all in leadership due to the increase in taxes and fees that we’re having proposed,” said Plough on Oct. 27. “Honestly, I think it’s a way we can show that we’re supporting the city.”
He was confronted following the vote and criticized by other councilmen for his position, and that animosity carried throughout the late months of 2025 to the present day, leading to his replacement on the traffic commission.
Though not on the agenda, Davis next called for nominations to the City Hall Citizens Review Commission, a position that is required by ordinance to be elected, though the council had simply made an appointment in the past.
Stephenson, who previously had been appointed to the commission, was elected unanimously despite some uncertainty.
“Can I ask a question?” said Sanburn after the vote was taken. “I don’t even know anything about that commission. Can you give us a little bit of information?”
“We’ve never met,” Stephenson responded.
The citizens review commission is tasked with conducting an annual inspection of the city hall building and grounds each March, providing a report to the mayor and the council within 30 days of the inspection.
“I did not take part in any inspection,” Stephenson said when asked about the commission’s activities. “Nor do I recall any report being given to the council.”
The commission is also required to review any requests for changes inside and outside of the building, encompassing everything from landscaping to building alterations -- inside or outside -- to furniture, carpets, and drapes.
The commission also must approve or disapprove of these proposed changes, then ask the Kokomo City Hall Building Corporation, which actually owns the building, for consent to perform these changes.
“I am not aware of the city administration making any request to make changes to the building, and I was not notified of or involved in approving or disapproving any proposed changes,” Stephenson said.
This last statement is problematic, as last year Mayor Moore ordered the construction of a new main entry into City Hall, limiting access to a single entrance on the building’s east side, and gating the facility with a passcard system to prohibit entry to the building after 4 p.m. daily.
That construction was completed and the passcard system was installed by November 2025. Minutes from the Kokomo Board of Works and Public Safety that might indicate whether the commission made a recommendation on the project are not readily accessible.
The commission also is required to make recommendations each year for the city hall capital improvement budget and develop long-term maintenance plans for the facility. All recommendations by the commission must be approved by the Board of Works and Public Safety before any action is taken.
“I find it very concerning that as a member of the commission I was never notified or involved in any of this,” said Stephenson. “I don’t believe the commission ever met.”