Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE -ÊFirst reading of the Syracuse town budget was given Tuesday by the Syracuse town council.
The 2000 budget is based on a net assessed property valuation of $37,597,795. The total 2000 budget estimate is $2,456,919 with the maximum estimated funds to be raised at $1,150,235. The current 1999 tax levy is $1,142,296.
The budget estimate is broken down as follows: general fund, $1,528,899; debt service, $30,175; lease rental, $43,800; local road and street, $0; motor vehicle highway street, $525, 165; EMS, $90,098; cumulative fire, $10,000; park, $145,882; cumulative park, $35,000; cumulative capital improvement, $0; cumulative storm sewer, $42,900; cumulative storm sewer, $0; law enforcement continuing education, $5,000.
In other business, the council approved setting the park department superintendent's annual salary at $28,000. They also raised the maximum hourly wage for employees in the street, water and wastewater departments to $15.80, plus longevity, from $15.12.
Of the superintendent's salary, town manager Brian Redshaw said, "I think the $28,000 is more realistic based on the type of person they want to get." He told the board if they didn't approve the salary ordinance, the superintendent's salary would be stuck at the current annual salary of $22,800.
Public Works Superintendent Kent Thielka said he was asking for the hourly wage increase because Paul Hoffman was moved up to the position of street foreman and he is already at the maximum wage. Hoffman also took on extra responsibilities after another employee in the department left.
The council also approved a down payment of $25,000 for the purchase of a new ambulance approved at their Aug. 9 meeting. The total cost of the ambulance will be approximately $97,000.
"We need authority to write a check to start the process," said Redshaw.
