Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
If the State Board of Accounts frowns on Warsaw's 2002 tax rate and budget next week, cuts to several departments have already been approved.
In a special meeting Monday, the council trimmed this year's budget by $239,305 and next year's by $240,554, for a total of $530,134.
This establishes the city's 2002 tax rate at 96 cents per every $100 of assessed valuation.
On the surface, that's a $1.82 decrease from last year. However the city's AV is now more than $667 million, three times greater than last year's $215 million.
While tax rates appear to be cut by two-thirds, they're actually about the same, or in Warsaw's case, 10 cents higher (96 cents times three equals $2.88).
Councilman Charlie Smith asked whether the city's assessed valuation was locked in now and if not, when it would be.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins said he had no idea and it probably wouldn't be set when he and clerk Elaine Call appear before the state accountants next week.
Possible budget cuts include hiring of more employees: three additional firefighters for the fire department, six street department employees and an ordinance violation officer and administrative assistant for the building and planning department.
Possible cuts from this year's budget could come from the mayors, human resource position, street department, building and planning and council budgets, as well as from parks and recreation, the cemetery and aviation budgets.
In other business the council approved a draft of the sewage rate ordinance, which raises the rate to $24.50 per month. The ordinance also raises the income level of $10,000 to $15,000.
