Syracuse Clerk-Treasurer Goes Over Annexation To Council
Posted
Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
Syracuse Clerk-Treasurer Julie Kline spoke to the Kosciusko County Council Thursday about why its budget increased more than the council’s recommended 2.9 percent.
Kline told the council that because of the annexation of properties, including an industrial park, Oakwood Park, hotel and 100 residences, the town had to budget more money for things like trash pickup, plowing, street lights and road maintenance of those areas.
Kline said the town also had a levy increase of $97,228 and that 70 percent of that is because of Oakwood.
Kline said Syracuse will have to go before the Department of Local Government Finance next year and ask for a levy appeal.
Kline said the town has no plans to add staff, though the street department is looking at possibly adding a part-time person.
This discussion came during the council’s non-binding budget review.
Silver Lake, Warsaw, Winona Lake and Silver Lake, along with the Solid Waste Department, were not reviewed Thursday night.
The council was required to take action on the budget despite the fact it was non-binding.
The council will hold budget hearings Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 27 at 7 p.m.
County Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden appeared before the board and asked for budget reductions for his department.
The reductions through 2011 total more than $700,000.
The council approved budget reductions of $116,895 from the Highway Motor Vehicle Highway Fund and $600,000 from the bridge fund.
Tilden said with rising fuel costs he may run up to $50,000 short in fuel, but said he can make transfers to make up the difference.
After being tabled for a month, the tax abatements for Biomet and R.R. Donnelley were approved. Councilman Brad Tandy abstained from the vote.
The next regular county council meeting is Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. The council meets in the old courtroom at the Kosciusko County Courthouse.
