Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Trimming the city's budget by $1,143,206 million Tuesday, Warsaw councilmen allowed 3 percent wage increases to all employees except themselves.
In a special 6 p.m. meeting, the board combed through declaratory resolution 2003-09-01 prior to adopting the document at the 7 p.m. regular meeting.
Departments found possible cuts in "equipment" ranging in amounts of $2,000 to $32,000.
The council cut its own 2004 budget by $98,484 - salaries $486, professional services by $77,998 and equipment, $20,000. Included in professional services is a reduction of $1,000 in Indiana Association of Cities and Towns dues, $50,000 for Parker street engineering and $26,997 to Kosciusko Area Bus Service, leaving that agency at $18,500, the 2003 level of funding.
Councilman Charlie Smith suggested the $25,000 facade grant program be removed from the budget. Instituted this year, the program funds improvements to qualified downtown property owners' buildings on a 50-50 basis.
Administered through the Warsaw Community Development Corp., the money already has been allocated to seven businesses, according to WCDC Executive Director Carmen Lock.
Smith reminded the board the WCDC has a revolving low-interest loan program for such improvements.
A majority of the council vetoed the suggestion, however.
Large cuts in salaries came from the street department ($121,520) and the police department ($118,417), in accordance with the council's "no new hires" policy.
A proposed $480,000 addition to Fire Station 2 also was removed from this year's budget.
