Geneva adopts golf cart rules (08/08/07)

After extensive discussion at the last three Geneva Town Council meetings, an ordinance regulating golf cart usage was passed on the final reading Tuesday.

Council members and town residents spent time at all three meetings talking about the ordinance - including several changes that were included in the ordinance adopted Tuesday.

This ordinance will go into effect on Jan. 1.

Town residents wanting to operate golf carts on town streets are required to register their golf cart for a $5 annual fee at the town marshal's office, obtain liability insurance and install headlights and taillights on the golf cart.

Other rules set through the ordinance require golf cart operators to have a valid driver's license and to obey all state traffic laws - which include not operating the golf cart on U.S. 27 or Ind. 116.

No fine schedule was set, but those that violate this ordinance can be fined a minimum of $15 to a maximum of $1,000.

Also Tuesday, Geneva clerk-treasurer Doug Milligan presented council members with the proposed 2008 budget that is expected to be about $24,000 less than this year's budget.

The proposed budget totaling $804,557 is $24,378 less than the town's budget for this year ($828,935).

Reductions came from the general, MVH and the cumulative capital funds.

In other business, board members approved the second reading of the salary ordinance giving town employees and elected officials a 3 percent increase.

The increase will set board members' salaries at $1,982.05 a year, up from $1,924.32 a year and council president will receive $2,238.40, an increase from $2,173.20.

Milligan's salary will increase to $32,383.20 a year from $31,440.

This ordinance sets wages and salaries for town employees and department heads for the town hall, police, water, wastewater, street and fire departments.

Also Tuesday, council members:

•Approved the purchase of a new mower and RTV Kubota, not to exceed $12,000. The town's current mower and Kubota, which are both three years old, will be traded in.

•Heard Department of Natural Resources employee Ken Brunswick report on his plan to apply for a $3,000 grant from the DNR Division of Forestry to plant trees in wetlands located on the southwest side of town.

The area is currently not being mowed. Brunswick asked that one tenth of this area remain not mowed and trees be planted in the remaining area.

Brunswick told the council that the grant application is due Sept. 30. To apply for the grant the town must have a tree board. Brunswick said that he would recommend volunteers to serve on the board and council members can officially appoint them at the Sept. 11 meeting.

The town must also complete a tree inventory and include that with the grant application.

•Approved a memorandum of understanding with Red Gold. The Geneva plant is planning to apply for a $350,000 grant to build more housing at its Geneva plant in 2008. The application is due Aug. 15 and the town is again serving as the fiscal agent for the project.

•Voted to donate $120 this year and $1,020 in 2008 to the Adams County Learning Center in Decatur. This center offers college courses, workforce skills assessment, on-site training. The center also offers classes through Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Indiana Wesleyan and Vincennes University.

•Approved a request for $250 to the Adams County Council of Aging for transportation expenses in 2008.

•Were told the next council meeting will be held on Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. and a meeting will be held for adoption of 2008 budget on Sept. 21 at 5 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]