Council still has budget questions

REDKEY — Council members still have questions about the budget.

Hopes are to get those squared away before it’s up for adoption later this month.

Redkey Town Council reviewed its 2026 budget Tuesday.

Redkey’s budget sits at an estimated $753,217 for next year, a nearly $155,000 increase from the current year.

The general fund is up about $1,700 from the current year. The cumulative capital improvement rate fund increased by $9,500 and the cumulative capital improvement cigarette tax fund increased by $500, while the following funds decreased: local road and streets by $10,000; motor vehicle highway by $15,000; and park by $5,000.

It also includes separate funds for sanitation services at $88,000 and local income tax special distribution — the dollars are specified for road paving — at $19,044.

Council members had hoped to discuss the budget with a representative from consulting agency Local Government Services, which has been providing assistance to clerk-treasurer Gloria May’s office since April 2024. May apologized to council Tuesday, saying she didn’t understand their request to invite a representative to the meeting.

Redkey firefighter Mark Leavell voiced concerns about no funds being saved to repair and replace firetrucks. He has suggested in past meetings that council begin planning for future equipment maintenance. Leavell has approached council multiple times this year to ask members to decide how much the town can spend on a new firetruck, pointing out one of the town’s pumpers barely passed inspection last year.

Council members also talked about plans to create a park board and new park fund — the existing fund is solely being used to pay for park utilities. They questioned how the new fund could be incorporated into the budget, with council member Byron Daugherty suggesting they use the $7,400 in the EDIT fund currently allocated for animal control services. (The town terminated its animal control contract with Jay County Humane Society last year.)

Civitas Strategies government advisor director Pete Olson cautioned council against large changes to the budget, noting the tight turnaround looming at the end of the month. If Redkey doesn’t have a 2026 budget approved by Nov. 1, it will revert to the current year’s budget.

Plans are to adopt the budget at council’s Oct. 28 meeting.

 Council members discussed setting up a video call with a Local Government Services representative soon.

“Without her being here to answer our questions, it’s like beating a dead horse,” said council president Brenda Beaty.