Council creates park board

REDKEY — The town has established a board to handle park decisions.

Redkey Town Council approved an ordinance establishing a park and recreation board and heard updated estimates for proposed renovations to Morgan Park at its meeting Tuesday.

Per the ordinance, the board will have the following powers and duties:

•Exercising general supervision of the parks department

•Establishing rules for the use of parks and recreational facilities in Redkey

•Preparing and submitting an annual budget

•Accepting gifts, donations and grants for park purposes

•Contracting for services, facilities and improvements

•Acquiring, holding and disposing of property for park and recreation purposes

Council will appoint the park board members. Pursuant to Indiana Code, there must be no more than two members of the same political party. (The town must attempt to follow that rule unless it can't find qualifying members, after which it could be categorized as a non-politically affiliated board.)

The ordinance also calls for establishing a park fund within the town's budget.

Council member Jenny Staver noted she’s received updated estimates for renovating the town’s park. Creating a splash pad alone is priced at more than $330,000.

“A lot more than what I thought,” she said with a laugh. “It’s going to go in phases, of course. So, literally, it’s going to be a $1 million park when it’s all said and done if we are able to get all the funding and grants.”

Plans discussed at previous meetings for the park involved installing all-inclusive playgrounds for all ages and abilities.

The new play sets would include activities for children with sensory processing disorders, among other items, as well as a splash pad.

Staver said Jay County Development Corporation executive director Ceann Bales plans to connect with railway Norfolk Southern Corporation about grant opportunities.

Also, council members mentioned a tort claim filed against the town, Redkey Fire Department and Redkey Volunteer Fire & Rescue related to a woman’s death in a fire earlier this year. (See related story.)

In other business, council:

•Set Halloween trick-or-treating hours for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. The fire department will also host its annual costume contest, starting with lineup at 5:15 p.m. and judging at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

•Announced plans to host a special meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 14 to review the budget for 2026.

•Heard plans to begin enforcing the town’s ordinance that prohibits residents from draining stormwater into the wastewater system. The goal is to look into homes determined to have downspouts and sump pumps and work with property owners to connect them to a stormwater drain.

•Learned about various volunteer efforts through Redkey Community Development, a new local organization working to obtain nonprofit status. The group currently consists of about 10 volunteers, who have been cleaning up old buildings around town and Mount Vernon Cemetery. It’s organizing a “The Goonies” movie night from 4 to 10 p.m. Oct. 24 at the old fire station, with food trucks, cornhole and other activities. 

•Heard criticism from former council member Mike Wright. “I just don’t understand what the board’s priorities are, they seem very good at wasting the town’s money,” he said. He questioned council’s decision to hire a third employee at the clerk-treasurer’s office and choice to bring on consulting firm Civitas Strategies, saying the money would have been better spent on purchasing another firetruck. He also spoke in opposition of the new water ordinance. Wright suggested council members do away with the third office employee and Civitas Strategies. He also suggested all five council members resign from their roles to allow others with “good old common sense” to take over.

•Was reminded Best Way Disposal will begin collecting additional trash cans from residents who are not paying to have more than one toter.

•Discussed financing options for purchasing a firetruck for the fire department. Mark Leavell of the fire department suggested looking into Indiana Bond Bank, with Civitas Strategies government advisor director Pete Olson agreeing to do so.

•Approved purchasing a new police radar from Stalker Radar for $1,682 and replacing two water plant testing meters for $1,500.

•Heard parts of Spencer, Main and High streets on the east side of town will be temporarily closed for gas line work through Miller Pipeline.

•Learned town marshal Alex Heath’s final day at Indiana Law Enforcement Academy is Thursday.

•Heard a request to purchase a $10,100 snow plow to equip a second town vehicle for plowing through the winter. Council president Brenda Beaty suggested holding off on the decision until after council looks over its budget next month.

•Were informed the town has about 82 smart water meters left to install.

•Made $942.97 in water bill adjustments.