Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Warsaw Board of Works approved the 1999 water treatment budget of $2,626,191 Friday.
"Unlike our regular budgets, this is really only a guideline," Elaine Call, clerk-treasurer, said. "And this is funded out of receipts and not tax dollars."
The budget includes $1,665,927 in the operations budget, $120,240 for depreciation and $840,024 for bond principal and coupon payments.
"The projected expenditures are less than projected expenses so we may have to go into the reserve balances if we want to raise rates, unless we can cut expenses," Call said.
The raising of sewer rates is not an option, according to board member Jerry Patterson.
"We have no intentions of raising the sewer rates," he said.
In other business the board approved a consulting contract for McCory & Associates of Fort Wayne for work on the proposed bike and walking trail between Kosciusko Community Hospital campus and Pike Lake. Funding for the project will come from a Department of Natural Resources grant if the grant is awarded by the state.
According to City Planner Jeff Noffsinger, KCH has expressed a desire for working with the city on the trails.
"We're looking at working with KCH on extending bike pathways they're developing on their campus and extending them to the Pike Lake beach area," he said.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins said he supported the project, particularly if KCH was behind the development.
"I think this is an excellent plan, especially if the hospital is willing to work with us," he said.
The board also approved a policy change allowing city employees who receive subpoenas to testify in court to be paid. Any reimbursement the employee would receive would be returned to the city.
The board also approved the Hepatitis-B vaccinations for three public works employees at $155 per employee.
