Redkey cuts $ from budget

REDKEY — The town has a little less to spend than it expected this year.
Redkey Town Council on Thursday made more than $15,000 in budget cuts, which were necessary because less tax money was collected than had been expected.
Council also heard the start of construction on the town’s sewer separation project has been delayed a week, agreed to move forward with an asset management plan for future road repairs, heard an update from a local pastor and discussed the dog problem in town.
Clerk-treasurer Debbie James informed council members Charles “Red” Coons, David Dudelston, Doug Stanley and Mike Wright, absent Ted Friddle, that more than $15,000 has to be cut from the budget because of circuit breaker caps.
James told council the Department of Local Government Finance budgets money as if taxes on every property will be paid. When they are not, the difference — in this case $15,526.38 — is the amount that needs to be cut from.
Council agreed on James’ recommendation to cut $14,438.58 from the general fund, $68.42 from both the motor vehicle highway and park funds and $950.97 from the cumulative capital improvement fund.
Mitch Hansel of Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering said bid opening for the sewer separation project has been delayed until June 9.
Council also decided to notify residents with a door hanger, on the radio, through Facebook and via phone calls when their streets will be worked on as part of the project.
“We’re just going to have to deal with it on a need to know basis,” Randy Young, wastewater treatment plant operator, said.
Council approved having Hansel develop an asset management plan to be eligible for Indiana Department of Transportation grants to fix roads. The cost of the plan will be $5,500.
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Also, Coons will begin working on a transition plan for public buildings to make them Americans with Disabilities Act accessible.
A donation of $300 was given to “A Better Life-Brianna’s Hope” after council heard an update from Pastor Randy Davis, leader of the group. Davis said between 50 and 55 attend the Redkey meeting each Wednesday. He and members of the group have spoken to about 2,000 students at area schools.
“Tremendous program,” said Stanley. “I mean it really is a tremendous program,” Stanley said.
Davis said a “Meet the Addicts” event is being planned for June 2 in Pennville.
Town Marshal Todd Miller again discussed the dog problem in town after there were three incidents with dogs running loose in one day and Critter Control couldn’t take care of the issues until the following day. REdkey resident Jimmy Coons has been helping police with the situation.
Miller plans to talk to representatives from Jay County Humane Society about regulations, will review Dunkirk and Pennville ordinances and call the dog catcher and Dunkirk Mayor Gene Ritter for advice.
“I think we’ve got the problem and we need to take care of it,” Miller said.
In other business, council:
•Approved ordinance 2016-3 to set up a local option income tax (LOIT) special distribution fund.
•Hired Sean Winget as a new part-time utility worker. He will work 20 hours per week.
•Heard that the old town hall building at 20 S. Ash St. is torn down to make way for the new fire station and a fence will be put around the area Monday.
•Agreed to keep a $75 fee to shut off or turn on water at residents’ homes on nights and weekends if they don’t have a shut-off valve installed.
•Heard the security light on the water tower is out and a bucket truck needs to be rented to replace it.
•Heard a new light bar was put on the police car.
•Will have James call the owner of a vacant property at 237 S. Meridian St. to have it mowed because neighbors are complaining.
•Approved water bill adjustments of $169.44 for two properties.
•Paid claims of $165,796.30.