Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER – Ahead of Wednesday night's regular meeting, the North Manchester Town Council held a public hearing for the 2027 town budget and 2027 library budget.
Clerk-Treasurer Carrie Mugford said the town budget has been submitted with a 6 percent max levy growth quotient at $8,166,201. The full budget is available on Gateway.
North Manchester Public Library (NMPL) Director Andrea Zwiebel spoke on the library's budget, which is increasing in three areas: utility costs, health insurance increases and a cost of living increase for staff.
NMPL is under binding review, a process where a fiscal body, usually the library district's local city or town council, holds final approval of a public library's proposed budget.
The public hearing was closed with no visitor comments.
In old business, council approved the wastewater rate ordinance on third reading and the rezoning request for the property at 1002 Ind. 114 East on second and third reading.
In new business, council approved a property tax abatement for Innomed Inc., whose production facility will bring 20 new jobs to North Manchester. The abatement should amount to $117,877 over a six-year period.
Council approved ordinances for both 2027 budgets, town and library, on first reading. A second reading will be held at the October meeting.
Council President Chalmer “Toby” Tobias read the Constitution Week proclamation.
Halloween on Walnut, a new event, will be Friday, Oct. 30 from noon to 10 p.m. Walnut Street will be closed from Ind. 114 to Second Street.
There was a town docket of $634,413.16 and a utilities docket of $227,600.61.
Council will next meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.
