Warsaw City Council adopted its 2014 budget and approved salary ordinances on second reading during its meeting Monday. The 2014 budget was approved at $24,684,541. The budget will be submitted to Department of Local Government Finance, said Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer. Council President Diane Quance thanked department heads for attending the council meeting regarding the budget. Non-profit budgets were approved at: Animal Welfare League, $17,500; City-County Athletic Complex, $31,000; Kosciusko Area Bus Services, $18,500; Warsaw Community Development Corp., $12,600; and Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, $30,000. In other business, the council approved 2014 salary ordinances on second reading. Bi-weekly maximum salary ordinances were approved including: aviation manager, $1,730.77; city engineer, $2,800; city planner, $2,234.83; cemetery sexton, $1,886.56; human resources director, $1,968.40; parks and recreation superintendent, $2,165.27; police chief, $2,210.85; street superintendent, $2,408.45; and wastewater utility manager, $2,493.70. A 2014 fire territory salary ordinance was approved, including a $2,210.85 bi-weekly salary for the fire chief. A 2014 elected officials salary ordinance was approved on second reading with all city employees, including the mayor and clerk-treasurer, receiving a $750 annual salary increase. The council voted to decline the $750 increase, and instead receive a $250 annual increase for council members. Jeff Grose, councilman, voted against the $250 increase for council members as he felt it was too high. The elected officials salary ordinance passed 6 to 1.
