Hearing held on Redkey budget (09/12/2008)

REDKEY - Full-time employees here will receive a 2 percent pay increase, according to the proposed 2009 town budget, which got its first public hearing Thursday evening.

No residents commented on the budget proposal, which is scheduled for approval Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.

Also Thursday night, Redkey council members decided to cancel their regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 18 in favor of holding their next regular business session immediately following the budget hearing Sept. 25.

The 2009 proposed budget totals $541,000 with maximum funds to be raised from property taxes set at approximately $212,500, Redkey clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby said.

In other business Thursday night, council member Dottie Quakenbush and Redkey Park Board member Terri Heston said volunteers are still needed to help with the planned relocation of playground equipment Saturday morning from Redkey Elementary School to Morgan Park. Jay School Corporation has agreed to donate the equipment to the park, if the town gets it moved.

Redkey Fire Chief Randy Young is also helping to coordinate this project. Heston said that volunteers are urged to come with tools useful in dismantling the playground equipment. Quakenbush said if the weather proves unfavorable Saturday morning, a rain date for the project will be set later.

Also Thursday night, Redkey council members:

•Were told by Young that a new free-standing radio tower for the police and fire departments will be needed, once the current water tower is taken down. The new tower will be located at approximately the same location as the current water tower and will cost about $3,000 to install, Young said.

After the meeting Redkey Marshal Donnie James said town officials want to keep the police and fire radio tower near its current location, close to the fire and police stations, so that it can be near radio repeater equipment which is currently housed in those buildings.

However, James and Young pointed out that a free-standing radio tower would not support the weight of the current tornado siren, so some other arrangements will have to be made for that piece of equipment.

Town council president Doug Stanley said this would be studied further before the changeover takes place.

The new town water tower will be located in the Morgan Park area near Central Avenue and Morgan Drive.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Engineering, Indianapolis, is still in the process of developing plans for the Redkey water system improvements and new tower which will be funded with help from grants and loans. Plans call for seeking bids for the new water tower, as soon as those specifications are ready with the project being completed in 2009.

Redkey was awarded a $500,000 Community Focus Fund grant through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs last spring for the water system improvement work. The state's CFF grant will be combined with a $220,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, already approved for Redkey, as well as USDA loans totaling approximately $1.2 million. Total price tag for the overall project will be close to $2 million, town officials estimate.

•Voted unanimously to have the new reservoir tank painted white with a large key, painted red, on two sides. The new water tower will be 147 feet tall which is approximately the same height as the old one, Stanley said.

•Reviewed proposals for insulation and other work to weatherproof the town hall in preparation for winter. Quotes totaled $1,870 from Young Builders of Redkey, and $5,170 from Miller Construction of Redkey. Council members unanimously voted in favor of Young the quote from Young.[[In-content Ad]]