Leesburg Facing Financial Hurdles
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jen [email protected]
The town's budget for 2008 was the same as the one for 2007, but increased operating costs such as fuel and repairs were higher this year.
According to Town Clerk Melissa Robinson and Street Commissioner Ed Riordan, the town has cut out pretty much all the extra expenses it can, and they are hoping no major expenses come up in the next few months.[[In-content Ad]]"We can't have any major expenses," Robinson said.
"What if we do?" council member Jay Weaver asked.
"Then the town will have to borrow money," said town attorney Vern Landis.
Robinson said, if necessary, the town may be able to make early draws on its monthly income from the state. However, at this point, the town does not need to take such action. Robinson was only informing the board of the option.
As of Monday night, the town's general fund was $3,691.92, the motor vehicle highway fund was $7,398.81, the cumulative capital improvement fund was $2,363.01, the local roads and streets fund was $8,792.14, and the economic development income tax fund was $60,958.81. Monday night, the council approved a motion to allow Robinson to transfer money from the Economic Development Income Tax fund into other funds as needed to cover the town's operating costs.
"We are not spending money on things we don't need," Robinson said.
Robinson said people in the town should not be worried because there is enough money to make it to the end of the year.
The town's 2008 budget was approved in August, and Robinson said she is still waiting for the approval of the 2009 budget.
One of the expenses the town currently is trying to eliminate is the cost for the disposal of leaves. The town will continue to pick leaves up, but anyone who would be willing to take the leaves for a large compost pile or to put on harvested fields should contact the town at 453-3315.
The council also heard an update on the sewer project from GRW Engineering. According to Matt Whitaker of GRW, almost all the main sewer lines should be installed by the middle of next week. The only main lines that will not be installed by that point are the ones that cross Ind. 15 and the railroad, and the 10-inch pipe to Warsaw.
GRW also is working with Warsaw Community Schools on extending the sewer to the new school location. Since the school will be finished well after the initial sewer project is complete, the corporation will be responsible for paying all fees to connect to the sewer.
Whitaker also said that the three properties on Ind. 15, which were considering hooking into the sewer, have opted out of sewer service. The two units in town will hook into the system and will be billed retroactively. Last month, the council approved a motion to add five units to the project at a cost of about $27,000. Without the units on Ind. 15, that cost will drop significantly to about $7,000.
In other business, the council:
n Heard that The Fall Fest last weekend was a success. About 350 people attended the event. The council approved a motion to add the event to the town's calendar, allowing its planners to apply for grants to help fund the event next year.
n Heard that Leesburg Elementary School will have a "Be a Good Neighbor Day" sponsored by Embarq Oct. 31. Students in the sixth grade will help people in the town by cleaning flower beds, raking leaves, sweeping and other outside tasks. Anyone interested in having the students help should call the school at 574-453-4121 for more information.
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The town's budget for 2008 was the same as the one for 2007, but increased operating costs such as fuel and repairs were higher this year.
According to Town Clerk Melissa Robinson and Street Commissioner Ed Riordan, the town has cut out pretty much all the extra expenses it can, and they are hoping no major expenses come up in the next few months.[[In-content Ad]]"We can't have any major expenses," Robinson said.
"What if we do?" council member Jay Weaver asked.
"Then the town will have to borrow money," said town attorney Vern Landis.
Robinson said, if necessary, the town may be able to make early draws on its monthly income from the state. However, at this point, the town does not need to take such action. Robinson was only informing the board of the option.
As of Monday night, the town's general fund was $3,691.92, the motor vehicle highway fund was $7,398.81, the cumulative capital improvement fund was $2,363.01, the local roads and streets fund was $8,792.14, and the economic development income tax fund was $60,958.81. Monday night, the council approved a motion to allow Robinson to transfer money from the Economic Development Income Tax fund into other funds as needed to cover the town's operating costs.
"We are not spending money on things we don't need," Robinson said.
Robinson said people in the town should not be worried because there is enough money to make it to the end of the year.
The town's 2008 budget was approved in August, and Robinson said she is still waiting for the approval of the 2009 budget.
One of the expenses the town currently is trying to eliminate is the cost for the disposal of leaves. The town will continue to pick leaves up, but anyone who would be willing to take the leaves for a large compost pile or to put on harvested fields should contact the town at 453-3315.
The council also heard an update on the sewer project from GRW Engineering. According to Matt Whitaker of GRW, almost all the main sewer lines should be installed by the middle of next week. The only main lines that will not be installed by that point are the ones that cross Ind. 15 and the railroad, and the 10-inch pipe to Warsaw.
GRW also is working with Warsaw Community Schools on extending the sewer to the new school location. Since the school will be finished well after the initial sewer project is complete, the corporation will be responsible for paying all fees to connect to the sewer.
Whitaker also said that the three properties on Ind. 15, which were considering hooking into the sewer, have opted out of sewer service. The two units in town will hook into the system and will be billed retroactively. Last month, the council approved a motion to add five units to the project at a cost of about $27,000. Without the units on Ind. 15, that cost will drop significantly to about $7,000.
In other business, the council:
n Heard that The Fall Fest last weekend was a success. About 350 people attended the event. The council approved a motion to add the event to the town's calendar, allowing its planners to apply for grants to help fund the event next year.
n Heard that Leesburg Elementary School will have a "Be a Good Neighbor Day" sponsored by Embarq Oct. 31. Students in the sixth grade will help people in the town by cleaning flower beds, raking leaves, sweeping and other outside tasks. Anyone interested in having the students help should call the school at 574-453-4121 for more information.
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