Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - North Manchester Town Council's budget numbers are being crunched to meet a projected underpayment from the state.
Nancy Reed, the town council clerk-treasurer, said Wednesday she was surprised after totaling her budget numbers. She rechecked the totals and found the same result.
The town council is facing a missed $200,000 payment from state revenue taxes. They are more accustomed to a $50,000 cut, Reed said.
"I had hoped I made a mistake on the budget," said Reed. But her wish for a calculator glitch is happening statewide. Everyone else is having the same problem, said Reed after checking with other clerks.
Due to problems with the law, Reed said, revenue from the state Legislature will not be headed for Manchester and other towns statewide.
"The (bill's) intentions sound good going in (to the state Senate) but don't end up that way," said Reed.
"It isn't going to be pretty. We need to get creative. It looks like it could be worse next year, so we need to deal with it now," said Don Rinearson, town council president.
Reed isn't sure if the cuts can go through without cutting jobs.
"I wonder what is going to happen to us next year," said Reed.
The next budget meeting is Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
In other business, the board:
• Adopted the spring cleanup ordinance and the trash fee increase.
• Named October Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Rinearson "urged all citizens to observe this month by becoming aware of the tragedy of domestic violence and supporting those who are working toward its end."
• Redirected the CCD fund for the Public Safety Building. Since the Public Safety Building is complete, the fund has been set aside for the next major renovation.
The North Manchester Town Council members are: president Don Rinearson, vice president Stan Escott, Karl Merritt, Warren Garner, Charles Tiede, Bill Hix, Clerk-Treasurer Nancy Reed, town manager John Mugford, public safety director Jack Fetrow, and plan commissioner Bernie Ferringe.
