Dunkirk OKs 2016 budget

DUNKIRK — The 2016 budget has been approved.
Dunkirk City Council on Monday gave final approval for its 2016 budget.
It also got a progress report on the removal of blighted homes and heard from Mayor Dan Watson about bidding for leaf pick-up.
Council members Tom Johnson, Jesse Bivens, Judy Garr, Lisa Street and Jack Robbins adopted the budget of $1,702,603. More than two-thirds of that total — $1,220,913 — is in the general fund.
The next largest fund is motor vehicle highway, which comes in at $247,160. Other fund totals include $64,000 for economic development income tax credit, $50,000 for local income tax, $50,000 for economic development, $23,200 for police pension, $15,000 for rainy day, $11,330 for parks and $11,000 for local roads and streets.
Robbins, who serves as health and safety officer and zoning administrator, said four homes on Indiana, Shatto, Franklin and Railroad streets have been torn down as part of the blight elimination program, with five more to go.
“We’re moving right along,” Robbins said.
Dunkirk was awarded an Indiana Hardest Hit Fund Blight Elimination grant of $176,000 in October 2014 to raze the homes.
Watson said bids will be taken until Oct. 23 for those interested in handling leaf pick-up in the city.
The sealed bids will be opened at the Oct. 26 meeting and leaf pick-ups will be held on Oct. 31 and Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28.
In other business, council:
•Learned from Garr that KK Construction and Hatzell Brothers, both of Redkey, submitted quotes to replace the roofs on well houses at the Dunkirk Water Department. Garr asked council to review the quotes. A decision will be made at the Oct. 26 meeting.   
•Gave $100 for the West Jay Optimists Head Start Christmas party.
•Learned that the Dunkirk Beautification Committee has put planters filled with mums in the downtown area.
•Heard that the Dunkirk Police Department handled 153 complaints and drove approximately 3,388 miles in September.
•Approved claims totaling $157,550.57.