Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
CLAYPOOL - The Claypool Town Council approved its annual contract with Baker Tilly and a resolution for the town marshal's standard operating procedures during a year-end meeting on Monday.
Nicole Grzybowski with Baker Tilly attended the meeting to present the updated contract to council.
"For 2025, we did a little switch-up from what was previously done, historically, where we did not provide any financial management reports for utilities, since there were a lot of reports produced for the bond issue," said Grzybowski. "We propose keeping the same services that we did for 2025, so not producing a full-blown financial management report for the sewer utility but instead keeping the monthly financial review."
Grzybowski said the annual amount of hours worked by Baker Tilly will be increased to 95 in 2026, which slightly increased the monthly cost. All other services will remain the same.
In other business, council discussed and then approved a resolution on the town marshal's standard operating guidelines. Council Member Gene Warner said the council requested an addition be made to the resolution prior to its approval regarding the patrol area and police vehicle use for the town marshal position. Town attorney Rama Sobhani made the requested changes on Dec. 15.
The resolution states council is "limiting routine patrol duties primarily to Clay Township, while allowing necessary exemptions, promoting efficient use of resources and community safety. Restricting the use of town-owned police vehicles to official duties, to commuting and approved activities, protects town property, reduces liability and ensures accountability."
The resolution further states the town marshal can leave the township's boundaries with prior authorization from the council; or when in response to mutual aid requests from other law enforcement or first responder agencies; or as required by law, such as pursuit of suspected perpetrators or execution of warrants.
Council also discussed concerns with distributing information to residents. Councilman Don Miller said with upcoming construction on the town's sewer system that it might be beneficial to place reminders in residents' bills. He noted that he's seen complaints on social media from residents about not being informed on town projects. Clerk-Treasurer Pat Warner also suggested placing a notice in the town's post office to help further distribute information.
Council also:
• Approved the town's salary ordinance for 2026, with a 5% increase for all employees except for Town Marshal Trevor Long.
• Heard a pump for the main lift station was purchased by insurance, as it went out due to a power surge. Town Superintendent Danny Warner said there will be a $2,500 deductible the town is responsible for.
Council's next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Claypool Lions Club building.
