Council gives OK to budget

The budget is a go.

Portland City Council during a brief meeting Monday approved its 2020 budget on second and final reading.

Council members Bill Gibson, Judy Aker, Kent McClung, Judy Hedges, Janet Powers, Don Gillespie and Michele Brewster unanimously approved the budget with no additional comment. It calls for $6,208,159 in spending for 2020, which is up by about 0.22 percent over the current year.

The general fund makes up the bulk of that budget at $3.6 million. Other fund totals include motor vehicle highway at $1.13 million, park at $396,575, cumulative capital improvement and cumulative capital development both at $257,646, aviation at $226,273 and park bond at $128,566.

Council passed its 2020 salary ordinance at its Sept. 3 meeting. It calls for $2,000 raises for all full-time employees, including Mayor Randy Geesaman and clerk-treasurer Lori Ferguson.

Council members also received a updates from Geesaman about a recent meeting with Indiana Department of Transportation officials about the proposed U.S. 27 (Meridian Street) project and the Stellar Communities application process.

The mayor said the possibility of reconnecting a 24-inch sewer line below Meridian Street is being explored as part of the U.S. 27 work. Decisions on other details of the project — the proposal included paving, reducing traffic to two lanes with a center turn lane, angle parking and removing two traffic signals — have not yet been made.

Geesaman reminded council that Stellar written redevelopment plans are due this week and in-person presentations will follow Nov. 14.

The winner — the Jay! Region is one of four finalists — will be announced Dec. 5.

“I think it’s an excellent plan,” said Geesaman. “Let’s hope for the best.”

In other business, council:

•Was reminded that Portland merchants will be holding a golf cart scavenger hunt Sept. 22. Registration will be from 1 to 1:30 p.m. in front of Remember When on Main Street and the event to follow.

•Heard Powers ask about progress on fixing the flashing “school zone” light for East Elementary School. Geesaman said an INDOT crew has evaluated the problem and it should be fixed soon.

•Learned from Geesaman that the county surveyor’s office is working on terracing the banks of the Salamonie River southwest of the city. He thanked the surveyor Brad Daniels for the efforts.

•Heard Geesaman congratulate The Commercial Review on the Hoosier State Press Association awards it received Saturday. The newspaper earned 16 awards, including second place for general excellence.