Dunkirk looks at 2016 budget

DUNKIRK — City council took another look at its budget.
Mayor Dan Watson opened Monday’s Dunkirk City Council meeting with the second reading of the 2016 budget. A vote on the budget is planned for council’s Oct. 12 meeting.
Council members also approved purchases for the city’s water and wastewater treatment plants.
The 2016 budget comes in at $1,702,603, which is down about $40,000 from what was advertised in 2015. Of that total, more than two-thirds — $1.22 million — is in the general fund, with $247,160 in the motor vehicle highway fund.
Council gave its approval to pay $21,870 to United Piping to fix a leak by the headworks building at the wastewater treatment plant. Council member Jesse Bivens, who oversees the plant, said Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering, which recently completed work there, will reimburse the city. Bivens was also given permission to buy two recertified sealers for testing at the plant from IDEXX Laboratories at a cost of $1,700.
For the water treatment plant, council approved another three-year contract with W.W. Williams for $3,900 for yearly general inspections. The contract will begin in 2016.
Water treatment plant superintendent Dace Mumbower also received permission to get two quotes to replace the roofs on four well houses at the plant and to purchase six new water meters from Utility Supply Company at a cost of $1,199.94.
Watson reminded council that Milestone Contractors will begin paving in mid October at a cost of $179,367.50. Paving was approved in August for all streets at Dunkirk City Park and in the Shadyside addition as well as Commerce Street, West Washington Street between Main and Angle streets, Eaton Pike from Main Street to Layne Drive and Hoover Street from Ardagh to West Jay Community Center.
In other business, Tom Johnson, Jack Robbins, Bivens and Garr, absent member Lisa Street:
•Heard from Robbins that two blighted homes have been torn down and they will begin on the remaining seven. Dunkirk was awarded an Indiana Hardest Hit Fund Blight Elimination grant of $176,000 in October 2014 to raze the homes.
•Heard from Watson that he will advertise for bids for leaf pick-up, which will be held Oct. 31 and Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28.
•Agreed to have trick-or-treat from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31.
•Heard from Johnson that the pool was broken into but no damage was done. He also said six planters, which were purchased with a Dunkirk Foundation grant, will be set around the city and filled with flowers.
•Approved a sewage bill adjustment for a $697.56 bill for Pizza King in Dunkirk because of a leak.
•Learned from Garr that hydrants will be flushed Oct. 5 through 9. Residents are reminded that water may be discolored during that time.
•Approved payment of claims totaling $226,811.67.