Redkey OK's budget for 2010

REDKEY - A 2010 budget totaling $508,000 with an estimated maximum tax levy limitation of $168,988 was approved on second and final reading Thursday night by town council members here.

The unanimous vote to approve the budget as advertised followed a brief public hearing where no objections from the public were raised.

However, Redkey clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby cautioned that she recently attended a meeting, sponsored by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, where officials pointed out that due to recently approved state legislation, some tax revenue predictions for local communities may fall short, requiring additional budget trimming.

As approved Thursday, the 2010 budget does not include any pay raises for employees or elected officials.

In other business Thursday, council members discussed the idea of purchasing audio and visual security cameras to record proceedings at town council meetings as well as activities in the police station and clerk-treasurer's office.

In all, four separate cameras and listening devices would be required, town council president Doug Stanley said.

Councilman Phil Philebaum explained that the police department could use this equipment to record interviews with witnesses and suspects, as cases are prepared for court hearings.

Stanley said that he and Kirby first discussed the idea of purchasing such surveillance cameras about two years ago. Since that time, Stanley said there have been some "pretty irate" people coming into the clerk's office with complaints. Kirby said that recently she had to order one person out of the office.

Stanley added that during council meetings, some of the discussions have become "volatile." He pointed out, "As the board knows, not everybody agrees with everything we do."

Also Stanley pointed out that having cameras with microphones in the council meeting room, would benefit the police department. He explained that police officers use the council meeting room to interview suspects and witnesses about crimes at times when the council is not in session.

Stanley and Philebaum said that so far two firms have submitted proposals on installing surveillance equipment. DCS Computer Sales and Service Inc., Dunkirk, submitted a quote of $4,249, and CIPS Inc. Telecommunications, Muncie, turned in a quote of $3,211.

However, town council members questioned if the equipment was basically the same, or if they were "comparing apples and oranges."

Following further discussion, Stanley suggested that the matter be tabled, pending presentations by both firms to the entire council at a future meeting.

"These are not the same systems," Stanley said, adding that he wasn't sure if the differences were worth $1,000.

"I'm for looking at both of them," council member Dottie Quakenbush said.

Stanley said that perhaps a meeting could be set up when both firms could demonstrate their equipment.

In other business, council members:

•Learned that the new water plant and reservoir tank were being tested and may come on-line as early as next Tuesday, if all the tests go well.

•Heard that crews may start work to dismantle the old water tower and tank, near the corner of High and Oak Streets, in late October or early November,

•Decided to concentrate on annexing the Redkey Industrial Park and Bell Aquaculture plant into the corporate limits. Stanley said that the annexation efforts should be limited to the Bell property and not involve attempts to annex all the surrounding land in that area. "We don't want a long drawn-out affair involving a lot of residences," Stanley pointed out. In other words, town officials don't want a "cat fight," he said. Attorney Leslie Matthewson was instructed to investigate exact boundary lines and get the annexation process under way.

•Agreed to advertise for quotes on temporary roof repair work for the historic fire station building at High and Oak Streets.

Fire Chief Randy Young pointed out that while the council is interested in applying for historic preservation and other grants for the structure and possibly the construction of a new fire station on a different site, something needs to be done as soon as possible to fix the leaks in the roof of the present station.

Quakenbush said "a temporary fix" which would last for a few years was needed immediately.

Councilman Charles Noble said he felt bids should be taken and a motion to that effect was approved. However, Stanley questioned how contractors could submit quotations on the repair work unless some sort of pre-approved specifications could be set down in writing.

"I'm a little uncomfortable with this," Stanley said.

Quakenbush said the council will have to analyze the various proposals after they are submitted. Stanley cautioned that he was not an expert carpenter with qualifications to review such proposals. However, Philebaum pointed out: "We've got to start somewhere."

•Discussed the need to talk to contractors and state highway officials about concerns relating to the ongoing Ind. 1 roadway renovation work in Redkey. Problems with garage driveway entrances, sidewalk elevations, traffic signs and school bus traffic were mentioned. Stanley said he would pass along this information to the various officials so corrective action could be taken.

•Noted that some residents would prefer to have the word, "Redkey" added to the new water reservoir tower insignia. Currently, there is only a red key painted on the white water tank. Kirby said that perhaps the word "Redkey" could be added in blue. That would give the tower a red, white and blue color scheme. Also the Redkey High School colors were blue.

Quakenbush said that the estimated cost for having "Redkey" painted in large letters in two different places on the tank was $3,800. "I'd like to see it up there," she said.

She then suggested that perhaps leftover contingency funds could be used to cover this expense. However, Stanley pointed out that contingency money was also being requested for several other water system improvement-related projects including the installation of a substantial fence around the water plant for security reasons.

"Why don't we wait to see if there will be $3,800 in contingency funds available," Philebaum said.

"Like I said before, we've got a wish-list on what to use the contingency funds for," Stanley said. "We can just add this to the wish list and decide on our priorities later," he added.

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