WINONA LAKE – Winona Lake Town Council approved five additional appropriations Tuesday.
They were Community Crossing Matching Grant Fund, $140,000; American Rescue Plan Act Fund, $535,585; Tax Increment Financing - Winona Lake Fund, $290,000; General Fund, $80,000; and Park and Recreation Fund, $5,000.
Clerk-Treasurer Heather James said for the first three appropriations, the town has the money but it has to be appropriated into the correct line item. For the general fund and park and recreation fund, they are for shortfalls in the budget.
Councilman Barry Andrew asked if the town was going to do anything differently next year because he thought it was a lot of money the council was appropriating. James said yes, but at this time of year, there’s always going to be some amount of appropriations.
Town attorney Adam Turner said some of the appropriations were one-offs, like ARPA, which the town may not have in future years. Andrew also said some of the money was to be used to pay for a fire truck.
In other business, the council:
• Heard a request from resident Jerry Nelson.
Nelson stated he owns a house on the island. There is an unnamed street there and Nelson proposed the town name that street Craig’s Way in honor of Town Manager Craig Allebach.
Nelson said he would like to see the issue on the council’s agenda in 2025.
• Heard about a decision on a waiver/reduction of utilities for a resident with severe health issues who owes about $1,100 in wastewater utility payments. Members of the resident’s church made the request.
A nonprofit organization has said they will pay $500 toward the bill and another person has said they will pay $150 towards the bill. Allebach said if the information is correct, the overdue balance would be $485.95.
Lancaster said the council will take the matter under advisement until their Dec. 30 meeting.
• Heard from Police Chief Joe Hawn the department received a grant to purchase ballistic vests, which will be ordered.
• Approved advertising the sale of a Street Department truck, plow and box.
• Approved a $500 Christmas bonus for town employees.
• Heard from Park Director Holly Hummitch KringleFest on Dec. 7 went well and the event was packed all day.
• Heard Sip n’ Skate at the ice rink will be 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and the Winter Market at Limitless Park will be 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.