Dunkirk can’t change to all at-large

DUNKIRK — Dunkirk City Council will not be able to switch to all at-large council seats.

At their Monday meeting, council heard from town attorney Wes Schemenaur that a proposed switch from districts to at-large council members is not permissible for cities in Indiana.

At its May 10 meeting, council had discussed the possibility of making every seat on the council at-large, rather than the current set-up of four district seats and one at-large seat.

“The legislature did change it, only for towns, not for cities,” Schemenaur told council. “So it is not an option for the City of Dunkirk to go to an all at-large council.”

Clerk-treasurer Tina Elliott noted that the districts in the city may change in 2022 based on census results, which could affect current council members’ seats.

Council members also discussed how to handle unpaid stormwater utility fees, a new $10 monthly charge that is assessed twice a year on residents’ property tax bills. Schemenaur said he would look into the city’s options, including placing liens on properties or using small claims court to collect the utility fees.

In other business, council members Jesse Bivens, Tom Johnson, Bryan Jessup and Christy Curts, absent Kevin Hamilton:

•Decided to extend its paid time off policies until January for city employees who contract coronavirus or have to care for a family member with the illness.

•Approved payments of $759 to Spear Corporation and $113.55 to Menard’s for pool supplies. Also heard that Dunkirk Pool will have seven lifeguards and eight concession and admission employees this summer.

•Agreed to sponsor the Dunkirk Park Event Committee for $500.

•Paid claims of $16,053.32.

•At their Monday meeting, Dunkirk Board of Works and Public Safety members Dan Watson, Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins and Bivens approved purchasing 26 banners to hang up downtown in honor of military veterans. The banners will each include the words “America’s Heroes” and one of the five military branch seals. A1 Graphics in Muncie will design and print the banners for an estimated total of $1,138, while Dunkirk Beautification Committee purchased the brackets for the banners. They also approved payments of $1,670 to Gabbard Fence Construction to replace a portion of the park’s fence, $2,362.92 to Water Solutions Unlimited for an upgrade to an injector at the water plant and $2,277 to MacAllister Power Systems for repairs to the water plant generator.