Warsaw Mayor Jeff Plank officially notified the city council Monday of his intention to retire as mayor in March.

The notice, read by council president Ernie Wiggins, was dated Jan. 17 and ended with the statement: "It has been an honor to serve the people of the city of Warsaw."

Plank publicly announced his decision Friday to take a job in the private sector. His written notice Monday was a formality.

The council approved a contract with H.J. Umbaugh & Associates of Plymouth for a financial analysis of city sewer rates and fees. The analysis will help the city decide if sewer bills should be raised in anticipation of the city taking on new debt by extending sewer services to such areas as Shady Crest.

In other business, the council:

• Approved sending the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns a contribution of 3 cents per capita to help IACT lobby the Indiana General Assembly. Warsaw's contribution, approximately $300, would help fund state lobbying efforts to protect local governments as the telecommunications industry becomes deregulated.

• Received year-end reports from several city departments, including the Warsaw Aiport, which had a total income increase for 1996 of more than $40,000 over 1995. Plank said the airport's financial condition is largely because of increased fuel sales.

• Tabled until February's council meeting the election of a council president for 1997.

• Publicly thanked Joe Dock and Carl Slone of United Water for helping plow snow last week while city street workers rested.

The council's next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 17 in the council chambers. [[In-content Ad]]