Redkey council president resigns

Redkey Town Council’s president has resigned.

At Thursday’s council meeting, Terri Taylor announced that she was giving up her seat on the board because of concerns about council’s decision-making.

Taylor, a Democrat, began her four-year term in 2019 and was elected council president that year. She previously served on the council from 2008 to 2011 before resigning for health-related reasons.

After opening the meeting Thursday, Taylor read her announcement from a prepared statement.

“As of Aug. 20, 2020, I will hereby resign my seat on the Redkey Council. My endurance to insubordination, disrespect, as well as the ordinances and personnel policies being ignored comes to an end,” Taylor said. “The decision-making of the board has been absent and consequently could lead to a downfall of our town and I cannot be part of it.”

With that, she stood up and left the Redkey Morgan Park cabin, saying, “It’s yours, Gary,” to vice president Gary Gardner. He subsequently took over running the meeting.

When contacted after the meeting, Taylor said the choice was not a difficult one but declined to comment further on her specific reasons for resigning. However, she said she decided to step down after council’s last meeting, in which the board voted to purchase a new police vehicle but continued to disagree on the make and model.

“It was affecting my health and testing my faith and I just thought it was time to get out,” Taylor said. “I wish our town nothing but the best, but I just don’t feel like I have a place on the board anymore.”

Town attorney Wes Schemenaur told council that Jay County Democrats will have to replace Taylor with another Democrat to finish out her term. He said anyone interested should contact the party.

Also on Thursday, council revisited several aspects of the town’s water ordinance, which was overhauled in 2018.

The discussion was prompted by a Redkey resident who is seeking an adjustment for a water leak under her house. In 2018, the water ordinance was changed to only allow adjustments for underground leaks.

Gardner indicated he was in favor of changing the ordinance back, allowing for refunds for both underground leaks and leaks under homes. He also said he wanted to discontinue assessing sewage charges (which are based on water usage) for residents who fill up their pools.

“I understand Redkey has to make enough money to pay the bills,” Gardner said. “But on the other hand, I also understand that people absorbing this cost is not easy.”

Another change proposed Thursday was refunding the $150 water deposits. According to the current ordinance, this deposit is nonrefundable, but is usually applied to the resident’s last water bill.

Before they make any changes, Schemenaur urged council members to read through the water ordinance thoroughly and to make note of any issues. He pointed out that the state has strict requirements for charging and accounting for water usage.

“We spent a lot of time on that and I would just encourage you to look through all of that,” Schemenaur said. “Your water department is really unlike the rest of your city government; it’s a business and you’re providing a service to your customers.”

He also encouraged council to talk with sewage plant operator Randy Young, who had a large role in crafting the 2018 ordinance. Council will discuss potential changes at a future meeting.

In other business, council members Randy May, Erik Hammers, John Pierce and Gardner:

•Heard an update on the effort to purchase a police vehicle. Town Marshal Todd Miller told council that it was too late to purchase a 2020 vehicle, but still too early in the year to order a 2021 model.

•Approved lowering the speed limit on the streets surrounding Redkey Morgan Park to 10 miles per hour from the current 20 miles per hour. The change will affect portions of Mooney Street and Central Avenue.

•Decided to amend its streets ordinance to prohibit through truck traffic on town streets. Delivery trucks and vehicles belonging to local businesses would still be allowed, but were encouraged to drive on state highways as much as possible.

•Revisited its decision to switch to direct deposit for town employees in January. Town clerk Debbie James told council that the town still has two and a half years’ worth of paper paychecks, which cost $340. Council decided to hold off on direct deposit until the checks are used up.

•Heard that fall clean-up will be Oct. 17.

•Gave approval for Gardner to host a dinner at the park cabin for jail inmates who have been working to clean up town streets, as long as Jay County Sheriff’s Office approves. Gardner said he would donate the food, but would like council members to be present.

•Heard May will take over the parks department, which was previously under Taylor’s supervision.

•Approved a water bill adjustment for an underground leak.

•Reminded residents not to blow grass clippings into the road.

•Approved the town’s updated road ratings map, which was prepared by Fleis & VandenBrink Engineering. The update is required every two years to remain eligible for the Indiana Department of Transportation Community Crossings grants.