Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - The town council Tuesday approved the tax rate to be raised to $2.80 if necessary. The current tax rate is $2.71.
Tuesday was the final hearing for the budget.
Retha Hicks, clerk-treasurer, said the council has to either cut the budget or come up with additional revenue.
Council president Jerry Clevenger said the tax rate in Warsaw is $2.78.
"Once we set the levy we cannot go higher than what we set," Clevenger said. "I certainly don't want to pay more taxes than I'm currently paying."
Hicks said she doesn't have the assessed valuation yet so she can't figure out the tax rate.
The Kosciusko County auditor has until Sept. 30 to give Winona Lake the assessed value.
In other business:
• Town manager Craig Allebach said the sewer surveys and inspections are completed. He said they went better than he expected.
"There are a few loose ends to tie up," he said.
• The council approved the 2001 wastewater rate. It will remain at $31. Hicks suggested keeping it at that rate.
"I like that idea," said council member Rolly Ortega.
• The council approved the disposal of a K9 car and fire chief cars. It also approved the purchase of a lift for no more than $16,000 for the street department's multiple utility truck.
• The council will begin advertising for bids to buy a truck to plow snow this winter. The council expects the truck to cost about $65,000.
"It doesn't mean we're purchasing it," Allebach said.
The council is only advertising for bids right now.
"We need to get this done," Allebach said. "We need that to plow snow."
• Allebach discussed the CR 250E project.
"I think we need to have the 250E committee meet again," he said.
He will meet with Bonar & Associates Friday at 10 a.m. to go over the project.
• The council set trick-or-treat hours for Halloween from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
• Allebach said there seem to be garage and yard sales that last 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He said the council might have to look at ordinances to regulate those.
Members of the Winona Lake Town Council include: president Jerry Clevenger, Jeff Carroll, David Delp, Craig Snow, Rolly Ortega and Craig Allebach.
