Ruppel Speaks To Syracuse Town Council
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
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The main focus of Ruppel's comments was a discussion and explanation of current property tax changes.
"As you know, property taxes have gone through a big change in Indiana this year," Ruppel said. "There are still some things that are not final. The one thing I want to say about two specific counties - Wabash and Kosciusko - is that I hope the citizens realize they have excellent city and county councils. You are not going to be hurt as many of the towns of the same size. Your extensions of what you're losing will be very minimal, while your taxes are going to go down. First of all, let me commend you for running a tight budget, and being responsible to the citizens to keep the taxes as low as possible.
"Some towns this size will be losing three to four hundred thousand dollars in their budget. You're not even losing that in the entire county."
There are rates of between 1 to 3 percent as a cap that will come into effect by 2010.
Ruppel also said that because of the rates, there could be times when projects the town wishes to undertake will have to be held up. However, a town is allowed to go outside of its budget if a referendum is held and the voters agree to do so. According to Ruppel, this all goes back to the municipalities having more local control.
"There will be no state money, starting in 2008, coming out of property taxes," he said. "That has been taken over by the state with the 1-cent sales tax increase. Referendums would have to be initiated by property taxpayers for any building projects."
Certain situations, such as a school wanting to build an athletic facility, would be an example of something outside of that corporation's budget, and would necessitate an automatic referendum.
Spending controls will be capped at a 6 percent average of personal income in the county. This cap is of a six-year average of personal income countywide. If the average income goes up 5 percent, then the cap is 5 percent; if only 1 percent, then the cap is 1 percent. This begins in 2009.
There was a brief explanation offered regarding limited budgets. This is part of the town's budget that is funded by some property tax money, and also includes funds from sources such as the cigarette tax, the financial institution tax, various user fees, etc.
The full budget for any municipality is subject to a review process by the state. All levies taken over by the state are excluded from this. In addition, federal funds are excluded from the overall budget. This means that federal money does not enter into the final budget computation put together by the state.
Ruppel provided information on budget shortfalls for Kosciusko County as well. As a whole, the county will have a budget deficit of $224,826. Ruppel also produced figures for individual municipal shortfalls in Kosciusko.
"If you continue to budget like you have been, even with the rate increases, you will be only $10 short," Ruppel said. "You are not going to have any credits or minuses from the limited budget, the full budget, or your tax levy. You don't have to make an adjustment. Syracuse is in excellent shape."
Council President Larry Siegel read a proclamation making April 25 Arbor Day. The official Arbor Day event will be held at Syracuse Elementary School from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Town Manager Henry DeJulia discussed with the council a proposal by a business interested in locating in Syracuse. Under the proposal, the town would pay up to $30,000 for the waterline extension to the business, and the business in turn would develop part of its property for a trail. Project time would take about a year. The council approved the plan.
DeJulia also said that the Forest Park subdivision will have utility poles replaced so that power lines can be raised. This is to accommodate service vehicles coming in and out of the area.
Some discussion focused on the high school's desire to build a new transportation facility. While the road design on Kern Road that was proposed to accommodate bus traffic was approved, the council would not agree to cover the cost of 900 feet of waterline extension, and would require the school to use 12-inch pipe.
The Parks Department announced Music in the Park has been scheduled for Thursday evenings from June 19 through Aug. 14. The second annual Art In the Park festival is June 20-21. The Kiwanis Cruzin' 'Cuse Car Show will be held at the Community Center May 17.
In other business:
n The council approved $978 for 12 new trees, and $6,200 to Cut Right Services for the removal of 11 other trees.
n $30,054 was approved for a new sidewalk on Long Drive. The contract was awarded to Garcia Construction.
n The cost for a sheet of trash sticker is now $4.
n The council approved the cost for public works employees to mow lawns not in compliance with city code to be $60 per hour, with mower.
n Claims in the amount of $434,606.45 for the month of April were approved.
Syracuse Town Council members are Brian Woody, Bill Musser, Larry Siegel, Cassie Cowan and Paul Stoelting.[[In-content Ad]]
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The main focus of Ruppel's comments was a discussion and explanation of current property tax changes.
"As you know, property taxes have gone through a big change in Indiana this year," Ruppel said. "There are still some things that are not final. The one thing I want to say about two specific counties - Wabash and Kosciusko - is that I hope the citizens realize they have excellent city and county councils. You are not going to be hurt as many of the towns of the same size. Your extensions of what you're losing will be very minimal, while your taxes are going to go down. First of all, let me commend you for running a tight budget, and being responsible to the citizens to keep the taxes as low as possible.
"Some towns this size will be losing three to four hundred thousand dollars in their budget. You're not even losing that in the entire county."
There are rates of between 1 to 3 percent as a cap that will come into effect by 2010.
Ruppel also said that because of the rates, there could be times when projects the town wishes to undertake will have to be held up. However, a town is allowed to go outside of its budget if a referendum is held and the voters agree to do so. According to Ruppel, this all goes back to the municipalities having more local control.
"There will be no state money, starting in 2008, coming out of property taxes," he said. "That has been taken over by the state with the 1-cent sales tax increase. Referendums would have to be initiated by property taxpayers for any building projects."
Certain situations, such as a school wanting to build an athletic facility, would be an example of something outside of that corporation's budget, and would necessitate an automatic referendum.
Spending controls will be capped at a 6 percent average of personal income in the county. This cap is of a six-year average of personal income countywide. If the average income goes up 5 percent, then the cap is 5 percent; if only 1 percent, then the cap is 1 percent. This begins in 2009.
There was a brief explanation offered regarding limited budgets. This is part of the town's budget that is funded by some property tax money, and also includes funds from sources such as the cigarette tax, the financial institution tax, various user fees, etc.
The full budget for any municipality is subject to a review process by the state. All levies taken over by the state are excluded from this. In addition, federal funds are excluded from the overall budget. This means that federal money does not enter into the final budget computation put together by the state.
Ruppel provided information on budget shortfalls for Kosciusko County as well. As a whole, the county will have a budget deficit of $224,826. Ruppel also produced figures for individual municipal shortfalls in Kosciusko.
"If you continue to budget like you have been, even with the rate increases, you will be only $10 short," Ruppel said. "You are not going to have any credits or minuses from the limited budget, the full budget, or your tax levy. You don't have to make an adjustment. Syracuse is in excellent shape."
Council President Larry Siegel read a proclamation making April 25 Arbor Day. The official Arbor Day event will be held at Syracuse Elementary School from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Town Manager Henry DeJulia discussed with the council a proposal by a business interested in locating in Syracuse. Under the proposal, the town would pay up to $30,000 for the waterline extension to the business, and the business in turn would develop part of its property for a trail. Project time would take about a year. The council approved the plan.
DeJulia also said that the Forest Park subdivision will have utility poles replaced so that power lines can be raised. This is to accommodate service vehicles coming in and out of the area.
Some discussion focused on the high school's desire to build a new transportation facility. While the road design on Kern Road that was proposed to accommodate bus traffic was approved, the council would not agree to cover the cost of 900 feet of waterline extension, and would require the school to use 12-inch pipe.
The Parks Department announced Music in the Park has been scheduled for Thursday evenings from June 19 through Aug. 14. The second annual Art In the Park festival is June 20-21. The Kiwanis Cruzin' 'Cuse Car Show will be held at the Community Center May 17.
In other business:
n The council approved $978 for 12 new trees, and $6,200 to Cut Right Services for the removal of 11 other trees.
n $30,054 was approved for a new sidewalk on Long Drive. The contract was awarded to Garcia Construction.
n The cost for a sheet of trash sticker is now $4.
n The council approved the cost for public works employees to mow lawns not in compliance with city code to be $60 per hour, with mower.
n Claims in the amount of $434,606.45 for the month of April were approved.
Syracuse Town Council members are Brian Woody, Bill Musser, Larry Siegel, Cassie Cowan and Paul Stoelting.[[In-content Ad]]
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