Council OKs full-time assistant

DUNKIRK — The clerk’s office will be able to keep its third full-time employee next year.

Dunkirk City Council gave its OK to the 2021 budget for the city, which includes the salary for a full-time clerk’s assistant.

Council members also decided to adjust its utility shut-off policy and deposits in light of a house bill passed this year.

The clerk’s office currently has three employees: clerk-treasurer Tina Elliott, a deputy clerk and a clerk’s assistant. The assistant was hired part-time, but has been working full-time this year because of increased workload in the office. Her full-time salary currently comes from a surplus in Elliott’s budget.

Elliott planned to keep the assistant on full-time moving forward and budgeted that for 2021. However, council member Jesse Bivens previously questioned this decision, given that Elliott and the deputy clerk both received raises in 2016 intended to offset the need for a third full-time employee.

He again expressed his disapproval of the change at Monday’s meeting, pointing out that the full-time salary will be funded not only by the clerk’s budget, but from the sewage and water departments as well. Each will contribute $9,901 to total $29,703.

However, council member Bryan Jessup supported Elliott’s decision to add a third full-time employee. He said he had discussed the issue with the clerk’s office and Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins.

“I see Jesse’s concerns because there was a promise made … but that was five years ago. Times change, work changes, expenses change,” Jessup said. “In my personal opinion, I’m just not that worried about that compared to some of the things that we have seen with the budget.”

While Elliott has oversight over her budget and department, Jessup asked that she consult council in the future when making staffing changes.

“Especially since we have to vote on it,” Jessup said. “Because now, I’m not voting to add someone on, I’m voting to take away her job. I don’t want to do that over that amount of money.”

All other council members expressed support for keeping the third employee full-time.

The budget was approved on a 4-1 vote, with Bivens dissenting. The public hearing for the budget will take place at a special meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 28, with the final reading scheduled for Oct. 12.

Also Tuesday, council amended its utilities ordinance to raise its deposits after the Indiana General Assembly passed a bill concerning municipally owned utilities.

City attorney Wes Schemenaur explained that House Bill 1165, which was passed in March, eliminates landlords’ responsibilities for overdue utility bills incurred by their tenants. In the past, Dunkirk has required landlords to co-sign new utility applications from their tenants.

To ensure that the city does not lose money as a result of the bill, Schemenaur suggested that the city raise its deposit amount and be more diligent with shutting off utilities for non-payment.

“The problem is, you let them go too long, they run up these $300, $400 bills, and then they move out and there’s nobody to pay that bill,” Schemenaur said. “And if the landlord’s not responsible, then the city’s just out that money.”

Council voted to set its utility deposit rates at $150 for renters and $100 for homeowners, both representing a $25 increase. The deposits can be applied to outstanding bills. Additionally, the city will begin shutting off utilities after 30 days of nonpayment, rather than waiting two months as in the past. Landlords will still be required to co-sign for sewage payments, as that utility was exempted from the bill.

In other business, council members Lisa Street, Tom Johnson, Keven Hamilton, Bivens and Jessup:

•Ratified the Dunkirk Board of Works and Public Safety’s amendment to the personnel policy, which gives city employees two weeks of paid leave for coronavirus-related absences.

•Approved the Blackford County hazardous material mitigation plan, which is required because of Dunkirk’s proximity to the county.

•OK’d two ordinances: One reducing the fee for bad checks paid to the city to $27.50 (the state maximum) but allowing the city to recoup any additional fees the bank may impose and the other approving the zoning change for the new Glad Tidings Church.

•Gave approval for Robbins to look into hanging up banners honoring veterans in the downtown area. He said he will collaborate with the American Legion.

•Discussed holding an alternate trick-or-treat event for area children at Webster Depot Park on Oct. 31. Elliott said many municipalities in the state are prohibiting door-to-door trick-or-treating this year; Dunkirk is waiting for further guidance from the state. Council OK’d the park event contingent on approval from Jay County Health Department and the city’s insurance agency.

•OK’d paying Barnes Sewer & Septic Service $165 for the portable restroom at Webster Depot Park during the summer concert series.

•Approved a payment plan and a water leak adjustment for two citizens.

•Paid claims of $343,488.02.