SILVER LAKE – At Wednesday night's meeting the Silver Lake Town Council heard from Eric Walsh, consulting partner at Baker Tilly, on the town's utility cash flows.
Silver Lake's water and sewer utilities are enterprise funds, taking in and expending funds gathered from utility bills. Walsh advised the town on keeping positive cash flows and planning for capital improvements, presenting a hypothetical rate increase of 50% for sewer and 25% for water over a five-year period.
By 2028, this could increase residents' utility bills from the current minimum of $87 to $115 for 4,000 gallons of water usage.
This rate increase could change depending on what capital improvements are in store for the town, but Walsh reminded the council "you have to charge what it costs to operate."
Ahead of any rate increases, the council must hold a public hearing to discuss the rate change with local residents.
Council also heard from Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe, who spoke on her position and the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP). Roe said part of her job is to identify needs in the community and to support satellite towns around Warsaw and reminded the Council she is available to them.
Council approved two property variances, a home addition for David Farlow and a roof raising for Rick Kaluf.
Council amended an ordinance for unsafe buildings designating the town marshal as the authority for violations. Council also discussed the noise ordinance, which may require a decibel limit that can be measured before citations can be issued.
Clerk-Treasurer Tonya Conley will post a Facebook poll to determine the new name for Indian Trail Park. Top choices from Council members were Little Ramblers Cove, Ramblers Island and Captain Nemo's Shipwreck.
In other business:
• There was a town docket of $107,288.98.
• Fire Chief John Conley reported five runs in February: two fires, one mutual aid assist and two medical assists.
The council will next meet at 7 p.m. April 10.