September 16, 2016 at 5:24 p.m.
Redkey budget moves forward
Redkey budget moves forward
REDKEY — The 2017 budget moved a step closer to approval.
Redkey Town Council approved the 2017 budget on first reading at its meeting Thursday.
Also Thursday, council discussed a new voting site for the November election, heard a proposal from a council member about part-time employment and fielded a complaint about the town’s ordinance against weeds and abandoned vehicles.
Council members Charles “Red” Coons, Dave Dudelston, Ted Friddle, Doug Stanley and Mike Wright gave initial approval to the budget, which includes a general fund of $391,365. There was no discussion from council or the public on the budget before its was passed on the first reading.
The group plans to vote on it on second, and final, reading at its Oct. 20 meeting.
Council also discussed voting in the town, which was previously held at the former town hall at 20 S. Ash St.
That building was demolished this summer to make way for a new fire station.
Clerk-treasurer Debbie James noted that voting sites must have a paved parking lot and be handicapped accessible.
Redkey Town Council approved the 2017 budget on first reading at its meeting Thursday.
Also Thursday, council discussed a new voting site for the November election, heard a proposal from a council member about part-time employment and fielded a complaint about the town’s ordinance against weeds and abandoned vehicles.
Council members Charles “Red” Coons, Dave Dudelston, Ted Friddle, Doug Stanley and Mike Wright gave initial approval to the budget, which includes a general fund of $391,365. There was no discussion from council or the public on the budget before its was passed on the first reading.
The group plans to vote on it on second, and final, reading at its Oct. 20 meeting.
Council also discussed voting in the town, which was previously held at the former town hall at 20 S. Ash St.
That building was demolished this summer to make way for a new fire station.
Clerk-treasurer Debbie James noted that voting sites must have a paved parking lot and be handicapped accessible.
James suggested using town hall, but wasn’t sure if it would disrupt the Redkey Police Department. Redkey United Methodist Church was also suggested.
Friddle plans to talk with Pastor Randy Davis about using the church.
Coons suggested he become a part-time town employee. He has done work for the street and water departments in the past on a volunteer basis and proposed a wage of $20 per hour.
Town attorney Wes Schemenaur said Coons would need to file an updated conflict of interest form if he was hired for such a position.
“I just don’t think it’s good business,” Stanley told council, noting that he didn’t think council members should benefit financially from the town.
Wright expressed concern that Redkey residents might object to such an arrangement.
Council tabled a decision on the proposal and plans to discuss it again during its October meeting.
Jim Phillips brought the complaint about the ordinance against weeds and abandoned vehicles, telling council he recently went to city court after receiving a ticket for having abandoned vehicles on his property. He pleaded not guilty and had requested a jury trial, but still had to pay a $233 fine.
“Why wasn’t I allowed a trial by jury,” Phillips asked council while also questioning the court costs he was charged.
He said it was the second such fine he has had to pay and added that he has purchased license plates for the vehicles on his property.
“But the third time I will go to small claims court,” Phillips said.
Town marshal Todd Miller said 95 percent of the properties cited under the ordinance have cleaned up their properties of abandoned vehicles and weeds and he will cite the few again who haven’t complied.
In other business, council:
•Approved paying Watson Excavating $9,700 to install water lines at the new fire station and approved Mid-States using concrete instead of asphalt for the parking lot.
•Agreed to pay Bill Tressler a settled agreement of $1,500 for condemnation of real estate and to pay for a land survey not to exceed $1,000.
•Appointed Friddle as coordinator for the Americans with Disabilities Act resolution and James as Title VI coordinator against discrimination.
•Scheduled a meeting for 6 p.m. Sept. 29 to discuss town ordinances.
•Approved the purchase of a copier for Redkey Police Department for $599. The contract for the current copier ends in November.
•Heard the police department will visit Redkey Elementary School during Child Safety Week and check car seats.
•Heard trick-or treat hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 and line-up for the costume contest will be at 5:15 p.m. with the contest starting at 6 p.m.
•Heard that hydrants will be flushed the week of Oct. 3 to 7.
•Were informed Flashlight Candy Craze will be held at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Redkey Morgan Park.
•Approved water bill adjustments for three residents. One for Randy Mays was denied because the resident moved from the property, but the water bill showed 3,100 gallons of water were used and another was denied because a hose had been left running.
•Heard Friddle will invite community developmental director Ami Huffman to the next meeting to discuss doing a downtown revitalization study at a cost of $4,500.
•Agreed to advertise for town insurance bids for 2017.
Friddle plans to talk with Pastor Randy Davis about using the church.
Coons suggested he become a part-time town employee. He has done work for the street and water departments in the past on a volunteer basis and proposed a wage of $20 per hour.
Town attorney Wes Schemenaur said Coons would need to file an updated conflict of interest form if he was hired for such a position.
“I just don’t think it’s good business,” Stanley told council, noting that he didn’t think council members should benefit financially from the town.
Wright expressed concern that Redkey residents might object to such an arrangement.
Council tabled a decision on the proposal and plans to discuss it again during its October meeting.
Jim Phillips brought the complaint about the ordinance against weeds and abandoned vehicles, telling council he recently went to city court after receiving a ticket for having abandoned vehicles on his property. He pleaded not guilty and had requested a jury trial, but still had to pay a $233 fine.
“Why wasn’t I allowed a trial by jury,” Phillips asked council while also questioning the court costs he was charged.
He said it was the second such fine he has had to pay and added that he has purchased license plates for the vehicles on his property.
“But the third time I will go to small claims court,” Phillips said.
Town marshal Todd Miller said 95 percent of the properties cited under the ordinance have cleaned up their properties of abandoned vehicles and weeds and he will cite the few again who haven’t complied.
In other business, council:
•Approved paying Watson Excavating $9,700 to install water lines at the new fire station and approved Mid-States using concrete instead of asphalt for the parking lot.
•Agreed to pay Bill Tressler a settled agreement of $1,500 for condemnation of real estate and to pay for a land survey not to exceed $1,000.
•Appointed Friddle as coordinator for the Americans with Disabilities Act resolution and James as Title VI coordinator against discrimination.
•Scheduled a meeting for 6 p.m. Sept. 29 to discuss town ordinances.
•Approved the purchase of a copier for Redkey Police Department for $599. The contract for the current copier ends in November.
•Heard the police department will visit Redkey Elementary School during Child Safety Week and check car seats.
•Heard trick-or treat hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 and line-up for the costume contest will be at 5:15 p.m. with the contest starting at 6 p.m.
•Heard that hydrants will be flushed the week of Oct. 3 to 7.
•Were informed Flashlight Candy Craze will be held at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Redkey Morgan Park.
•Approved water bill adjustments for three residents. One for Randy Mays was denied because the resident moved from the property, but the water bill showed 3,100 gallons of water were used and another was denied because a hose had been left running.
•Heard Friddle will invite community developmental director Ami Huffman to the next meeting to discuss doing a downtown revitalization study at a cost of $4,500.
•Agreed to advertise for town insurance bids for 2017.
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