Syracuse OKS 2011 Budget
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By John DeGroff-
The advertised levy for 2011 is $1,457,000, which compared to the current levy of $1458,809 makes the adopted budget slightly less.
By state law, a municipality must conduct two public budget hearings. There were no public challenges during either meeting.
Other financial considerations before the council dealt with two ordinances for additional appropriations, an ordinance for funds transfer, and the 2011 salary ordinance for the town's various department officials and employees.
The first appropriated $31,000 out of the town's Rainy Day Fund for new equipment purchases. The second moved $5,000 from the Riverboat Fund to pay for street paving. Initially, this project was budgeted at $75,000, but final costs amounted to $80,000.
An emergency ordinance providing for the transfer of $3,500 from the Professional Services Fund to enable the Town Manager Department to meet various expenses was approved.
The final ordinance approved, set salaries and compensation rates for town employees.
Jeremy Sponseller, public works superintendent, introduced Tom Gordon, Severn Trent Technical Services Director, to present a report regarding the wastewater plant. Severn Trent conducts what is called a Site Energy Management Program (SEMP) for municipal water plant facilities to help reduce energy use and costs.
"We want to make sure we're getting the best possible treatment plant performance and train the operators so that they can become more aware of the energy component of operating a facility," Gordon said.
During another portion of his presentation, Gordon gave specific examples of equipment components of the water plant that when replaced on schedule, will reduce costs. Known as an asset management report, it also showed how awareness of equipment life-span increases efficiency.
The Syracuse water treatment plant is 22 years old, but has been well maintained and managed by all staff involved. "We work in 20 states," Gordon said. "There's not a lot for us to do here because things are done well."
In other public works business, the council authorized Sponseller to purchase a three-quarter-ton, four- wheel-drive truck for the department, with the cost not to exceed $25,000, and to purchase a bucket lift assembly which will be fitted onto one of the department's existing trucks. The cost is not to exceed $17,000, installed.
Town Marshal Tony Ciriello approached council for approval to pay for the licenses for computer's in the department's vehicles.
This is in accordance with the interlocal agreement that Syracuse has with Kosciusko County, enabling them to be included in the county system.
The council approved the fee of $100 per vehicle - $700 - to cover all police cars.
Ciriello also said the during the recent Day of Caring, Syracuse had 74 volunteers, with 9 projects completed. That included two roofing projects.
Chad Jonsson, Parks Superintendent, announced that the Syracuse Artisan and Farmer's Market's last day will be Oct. 16. Oct. 2, the annual indoor yard sale will be held at the Community Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Haunted House will be held on Oct. 28 to 30.
In other business:
n Claims totaling $368,672.04 for September 2010 were approved for payment.
n Trick or Treat hours are scheduled for October 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.
n The Clerk-Treasurer's Office will be closed Oct. 14.
Syracuse town council members are Larry Siegel, Bill Musser, Jeff Morgan, Brian Woody and Paul Stoelting.
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The advertised levy for 2011 is $1,457,000, which compared to the current levy of $1458,809 makes the adopted budget slightly less.
By state law, a municipality must conduct two public budget hearings. There were no public challenges during either meeting.
Other financial considerations before the council dealt with two ordinances for additional appropriations, an ordinance for funds transfer, and the 2011 salary ordinance for the town's various department officials and employees.
The first appropriated $31,000 out of the town's Rainy Day Fund for new equipment purchases. The second moved $5,000 from the Riverboat Fund to pay for street paving. Initially, this project was budgeted at $75,000, but final costs amounted to $80,000.
An emergency ordinance providing for the transfer of $3,500 from the Professional Services Fund to enable the Town Manager Department to meet various expenses was approved.
The final ordinance approved, set salaries and compensation rates for town employees.
Jeremy Sponseller, public works superintendent, introduced Tom Gordon, Severn Trent Technical Services Director, to present a report regarding the wastewater plant. Severn Trent conducts what is called a Site Energy Management Program (SEMP) for municipal water plant facilities to help reduce energy use and costs.
"We want to make sure we're getting the best possible treatment plant performance and train the operators so that they can become more aware of the energy component of operating a facility," Gordon said.
During another portion of his presentation, Gordon gave specific examples of equipment components of the water plant that when replaced on schedule, will reduce costs. Known as an asset management report, it also showed how awareness of equipment life-span increases efficiency.
The Syracuse water treatment plant is 22 years old, but has been well maintained and managed by all staff involved. "We work in 20 states," Gordon said. "There's not a lot for us to do here because things are done well."
In other public works business, the council authorized Sponseller to purchase a three-quarter-ton, four- wheel-drive truck for the department, with the cost not to exceed $25,000, and to purchase a bucket lift assembly which will be fitted onto one of the department's existing trucks. The cost is not to exceed $17,000, installed.
Town Marshal Tony Ciriello approached council for approval to pay for the licenses for computer's in the department's vehicles.
This is in accordance with the interlocal agreement that Syracuse has with Kosciusko County, enabling them to be included in the county system.
The council approved the fee of $100 per vehicle - $700 - to cover all police cars.
Ciriello also said the during the recent Day of Caring, Syracuse had 74 volunteers, with 9 projects completed. That included two roofing projects.
Chad Jonsson, Parks Superintendent, announced that the Syracuse Artisan and Farmer's Market's last day will be Oct. 16. Oct. 2, the annual indoor yard sale will be held at the Community Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Haunted House will be held on Oct. 28 to 30.
In other business:
n Claims totaling $368,672.04 for September 2010 were approved for payment.
n Trick or Treat hours are scheduled for October 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.
n The Clerk-Treasurer's Office will be closed Oct. 14.
Syracuse town council members are Larry Siegel, Bill Musser, Jeff Morgan, Brian Woody and Paul Stoelting.
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