Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - The Winona Lake Police Department wants a 12.5 percent budget increase next year, including a new car.
The fire department wants a 17.5 percent increase to add more personnel.
The street department wants a street sweeper.
The park department is asking for a 0.3 percent increase.
Projected expenditures of $1,454,722, which includes a 4 percent across-the-board payroll increase, were reviewed by town council members Tuesday.
The figure is an 11.2 percent increase over last year's budget.
Town council member Jerry Clevenger suggested a $500 bonus be given to each employee with a 2 percent increase, instead of 4 percent.
Town manager Craig Allebach said employees may be required to do more and the town is losing them to employers paying more.
"Replacing employees has a great cost, too," he said, against any cuts in payroll.
Fire chief Kip Shuter was questioned regarding the fire department increases. Shuter said he would like to have a crew of 28 to 30.
He said there are 24 volunteers now with two men inactive, for a total of 26. Cost increases are for firefighting equipment.
The chief said the ladder truck requires two men to operate.
Clevenger noted the matter of additional personnel was not discussed when plans to purchase the truck were approved.
Shuter said the department is set up for a crew of 30 and he would like to have that number of volunteers.
Engineering services were increased 100 percent for a total of $20,000 under central services, and an additional increase of 23.1, percent for a total of $8,000, was given in the motor vehicle and highway budget.
Insurance costs have increased 27 percent.
In other business the board:
• Approved town marshal Malcolm Gilbert's request to contract an additional reserve officer.
Gilbert also said he was considering contracting police officers through the Warsaw Police Department.
His department has been stretched thin working weekend events in town, he said.
