Warsaw Council Eyes 2006 Budgets

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer-

Warsaw councilmen and department heads met Monday evening in city hall to discuss the city's proposed department budgets and general fund for 2006.

After reviewing each section and hearing reports from all departments, the council agreed to meet Wednesday at 6 p.m. in city hall for a second reading of budget totals.

The 2006 proposed human resource general fund budget of $84,606 is a 95 percent increase from its actual 2005 financial plan. The increase stems from new procedures which hold the human resource department responsible for physical evaluations of both present employees and potential new hires within the police and fire departments.

Jennifer Whitaker, director of human resources, said employee drug testing and mental evaluations also affected the increased budget proposal.

Additional funds were requested by the department to implement a safety education program in efforts to decrease incidents of employee injury.

City planner Jeremy Skinner discussed the building and planning department's proposed general fund budget of $381,498, which is an increase of $31,000 from last year's totals.

Skinner reported increases in salaries and employee benefits, such as medical insurance and FICA costs, produced the additional funds requested for the proposed budget.

Lacy Francis, street department superintendent, requested additional funds for 2006 compared to last year's budget total to cover salary increases as well as potential purchases of new equipment.

Francis said the department wants to purchase a bobcat, mower and portable jet vacuum. The vacuum, costing $55,000, could potentially be split between wastewater and street department funds.

Francis said currently the two departments share a similar piece of equipment, and the purchase of the new vacuum would solve problems faced when both departments need to use the equipment at the same time.

Also reported was:

• The mayor's office proposed budget of $103,489, an increase of $825. Mayor Ernie Wiggins said the increase stemmed from salary raises and employee benefits.

• The clerk's office proposed budget of $234,416, an increase of more than $19,000 from the 2005 budget for salary and employee benefit increases.

• The police department proposed budget of $3,454,224, an increase of $19,273, covering department salary increases.

The Warsaw fire department budget totals were not discussed Monday. No representative was present to report totals, and the council will use the scheduled Wednesday meeting to discuss the department's first budget hearing.

In matters outside budget concerns, the council voted unanimously to approve a tax abatement on personal property for Mayken Industries.

Chief of Police Steve Foster reported Sgt. Doug Brumfield was doing well and looked forward to reporting back to duty. Brumfield recently underwent surgery to remove his left leg after complications due to blood clots.

Present councilmen were Mayor Ernie Wiggins, Joe Thallemer, Bob Morrison, Jeff Grose, Charlie Smith, George Clemens, Jerry Patterson and Bill Rhoades. [[In-content Ad]]

Warsaw councilmen and department heads met Monday evening in city hall to discuss the city's proposed department budgets and general fund for 2006.

After reviewing each section and hearing reports from all departments, the council agreed to meet Wednesday at 6 p.m. in city hall for a second reading of budget totals.

The 2006 proposed human resource general fund budget of $84,606 is a 95 percent increase from its actual 2005 financial plan. The increase stems from new procedures which hold the human resource department responsible for physical evaluations of both present employees and potential new hires within the police and fire departments.

Jennifer Whitaker, director of human resources, said employee drug testing and mental evaluations also affected the increased budget proposal.

Additional funds were requested by the department to implement a safety education program in efforts to decrease incidents of employee injury.

City planner Jeremy Skinner discussed the building and planning department's proposed general fund budget of $381,498, which is an increase of $31,000 from last year's totals.

Skinner reported increases in salaries and employee benefits, such as medical insurance and FICA costs, produced the additional funds requested for the proposed budget.

Lacy Francis, street department superintendent, requested additional funds for 2006 compared to last year's budget total to cover salary increases as well as potential purchases of new equipment.

Francis said the department wants to purchase a bobcat, mower and portable jet vacuum. The vacuum, costing $55,000, could potentially be split between wastewater and street department funds.

Francis said currently the two departments share a similar piece of equipment, and the purchase of the new vacuum would solve problems faced when both departments need to use the equipment at the same time.

Also reported was:

• The mayor's office proposed budget of $103,489, an increase of $825. Mayor Ernie Wiggins said the increase stemmed from salary raises and employee benefits.

• The clerk's office proposed budget of $234,416, an increase of more than $19,000 from the 2005 budget for salary and employee benefit increases.

• The police department proposed budget of $3,454,224, an increase of $19,273, covering department salary increases.

The Warsaw fire department budget totals were not discussed Monday. No representative was present to report totals, and the council will use the scheduled Wednesday meeting to discuss the department's first budget hearing.

In matters outside budget concerns, the council voted unanimously to approve a tax abatement on personal property for Mayken Industries.

Chief of Police Steve Foster reported Sgt. Doug Brumfield was doing well and looked forward to reporting back to duty. Brumfield recently underwent surgery to remove his left leg after complications due to blood clots.

Present councilmen were Mayor Ernie Wiggins, Joe Thallemer, Bob Morrison, Jeff Grose, Charlie Smith, George Clemens, Jerry Patterson and Bill Rhoades. [[In-content Ad]]

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