Hosier asks for federal funding

A Portland official is hoping that spending some time with senators and congressman will mean cash for city projects.
Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier will be traveling to Washington D.C. next week to lobby for federal funds for the north side sewer separation project and the Lafayette Street extension project.
On Monday, Portland City Council members voted to spend up to $1,500 in Portland Economic Development Income Tax Funds to send Hosier to the nation’s capital.
He will be in Washington D.C. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week (Sept. 27-29).
The mayor hopes to strengthen his relationships with the state’s U.S. Representatives and Senators.
Prior to Monday’s council meeting, the Portland EDIT Advisory Committee met briefly and voted to recommend that the council approve the expenditure.
The north side sewer separation project includes the separation of storm water and sewer lines north of Votaw Street, mostly between Industrial Park Drive and Meridian Street. The project is expected to cost $5.8 million.
The Lafayette Street extension project will extend Lafayette Street west to Industrial Park Drive.
A majority of the project will be paid through a $740,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation, but Hosier is hoping the city can receive more funds for the project. The total cost has been estimated at $1.3 million.
In other business Monday, council members approved the 2011 budget.
The $5,380,000 budget is $1.3 million less than the 2010 budget because of reductions in the general fund, street and park department funds, aviation fund and cumulative capital development and cumulative capital improvement funds.
These funds are smaller to cut costs and because there will be lower state revenue in 2011, a city official said. Several of the funds had dramatic decreases because of large one-time capital expenses during the current year’s budget, city officials said.
This year’s budget was $6,732,000 after cuts were made by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance.
Also Monday, council members:
•Voted to close a portion of Pierce Street for the Jay County Heritage Festival.
See Funding page 5
Continued A portion of Pierce Street north of Water Street to near the Jay County Historical Society Museum will be closed Oct. 1-3 for the event.
•Learned that a grand opening event for Phase IV of Hudson Family Park will be held in the spring.
Hosier said the work is nearly complete. This work includes a restroom/concession stand/ticket booth building for the amphitheater, the addition of a back wall and posts to hold lighting and sound equipment to the amphitheater, a playground, additional trails throughout the park and a shelter.
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