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MENTONE - What is a mobile home?
This question plagued Mentone Town Council members Monday night as they tried to make changes to an ordinance regarding placement of such structures within town limits.
The council approved a permit request from Jim Keirn for placing a mobile home on a lot in town because the criteria, as interpreted in the standing ordinance, was met. However, the council viewed that situation as a loophole and asked its attorney last month to rewrite the town's ordinance.
Larry Beeson presented the amended ordinance to the council for review Monday, but the council was dissatisfied with the terms "manufactured housing" and "mobile home." Council members agreed that they don't want homes with tongues and axles allowed on lots in town, but weren't sure how those conditions should be worded. Beeson will work on the ordinance again for review in December.
The council also tabled discussion on issuing permits for storage buildings, decks, porches, balconies and pools.
Edith Barber, Franklin Township trustee, and James Moyer, Harrison Township trustee, gave input on what sorts of property alterations are taxable.
Moyer said he is most concerned with exterior changes that add square footage to homes. However, he said, any storage shed, regardless of size or whether it is permanent or on skids, is taxable as real estate.
Without permits for adding the above-mentioned items to real estate, they often aren't discovered until property reassessment periods, the last being in 1995 and the next set for 1999. Permits are required for several types of changes, but residents often don't seek permits before erecting a shed or deck.
"Most people are not aware a permit is needed," said councilman Forrest Kantner.
Issuing permits would give assessors and trustees an idea of what changes are being made prior to assessment times.
"It's nothing that the residents of the township aren't already complying with," Moyer said.
In other matters, the council:
• Approved the park board spending up to $400 for limestone for the park driveway.
• Gave permission for town employees, Brian Reed and Darrel Miller, to attend a wastewater conference later this month in Indianapolis at a cost of $150 each, plus mileage.
The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 in the town hall.
