Warsaw Works On '05 Budget

Warsaw city council has set aside $383,358 in support of not-for-profit organizations and annual contracts.

The amounts given are what the organizations requested, not necessarily what they will receive. Representatives appeared before the board Monday seeking council favor in the form of a 2005 contract.

No awards were approved by the council Monday.

Kosciusko Area Bus Service general manager Rita Baker said the $31,958 amount she wants will be divided between operations ($18,500) and an additional $13,458 toward capital improvements.

Much of KABS' funding comes from federal grants, Baker said, and that money is being cut. In 2005, she anticipates 17 percent cut in grant monies.

School-aged children comprise 37 percent of the riders on KABS buses, Baker said. The drivers pick up the children at babysitters who live outside the school district and take them to a school in their home district.

She said 50 to 55 children are served this way, many kindergarten age.

Baker said much of the city's money goes to payroll. To cut costs, two part-time drivers are hired if one full-time driver quits. The part-timers are not offered benefits. Hours of service have been cut and buses operate from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. now instead of 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Cardinal Center president Jane Green introduced Sus Amigos representatives. The agency's request is a new consideration for the council. Sus Amigos provides outreach services and information to the city's growing Hispanic population. Thirty supporters filled council chambers during the presentation. The Cardinal Center acts as administrator for funding, Greene said.

The agency has operated on a $51,000 budget for each of the last three years, receiving funding from the United Way and the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.

The Foundation won't provide funding after three years and Green said they are obliged to seek other means for money. The county commissioners have recommended $5,000 for the county council's consideration.

Yolanda Hedington addressed the board in Spanish for a sentence, receiving tentative smiles from council members.

Switching to English, she said hundreds of Hispanic parents, new to the area, rely on their children to translate during business transactions, trips to the doctor and other events.

"We checked with the schools who said kids miss the whole day to translate for their parents," she said.

Sus Amigos has produced a video called "Welcome to Kosciusko County," outlining the laws and customs of the land. Hedington said the agency started a mentoring program, placing Spanish-speaking students with several businesses. She said if the Hispanic community knows a translator is available, that's the business they frequent.

Connie Stutzman has assisted 1,300 people in two years through Sus Amigos.

Stephanie Noffsinger of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation said the program is designed to phase out over the next several years as first generation Hispanics teach their children.

Warsaw Community Development Corp. was represented by Carmen Locke, who is asking for $12,000, the same amount the agency has received for the past 20 years.

She said since moving to a separate office on Market Street, people come in constantly seeking advice and information about operating a business downtown. The agency receives the city stipend, membership dues and profits from sponsored events.

She said the council's facade program, funded at $25,000 per year, has been a great success. WCDC members may apply for matching funds to spruce up their buildings.

Joy McCarthy-Sessing is seeking $5,000 for Kosciusko Development Inc., a group that is operating on a $66,800 budget this year. She said other economic development offices in the state have a much higher budget and receive economic development income tax monies.

Steve Foegly represented the Animal Welfare League, which is asking for $15,000. He said the city money offsets personnel costs. There are five full-time and one part-time employees.

Foegly said the agency recently contracted with Nappanee for animal control.

Councilman Bill Rhoades said he has heard rumors that "you weren't taking care of all the animals you have, how can you take in any more from Nappanee?"

Foegly said except for the animals being adopted, most are euthanized. In 2003, 2,873 were brought to the league and 1,280 were adopted.

Foegly said the group took in $213,000 and had $197,000 in expenses. The agency has $167,000 in reserve to purchase or build its own building. Currently the AWL works out of a county facility.

Councilman George Clemens noted that more was paid out for accounting services than for dog food.

Foegly said previous tax forms and bookkeeping had to be corrected because the previous boards were too informal.

"The current board is prepared to do a five year plan," he said.

Pam Kennedy, executive director of Housing Opportunities of Warsaw and Warsaw Housing Authority, is seeking a total of $25,000 for both agencies.

In 2004, the AWL received $14,520; KABS, $18,500; KDI, $1,500; WHA, $25,000; HOW, $25,000; and the WCDC, $12,000.

The council also:

• Heard from human resources director Jennifer Whitaker, who presented recommendations for employee insurance coverage. The proposed changes could mean a $287,720 savings in premiums.

Changes include that employees with spouses who are eligible for insurance must use the spouse's policy as primary coverage and the city policy as secondary coverage. Rates for single employees will be increased to $15 per month, up from $1 per year. Rates for family coverage will double from $15 per month to $30 per month. Deductibles will increase from $100 for individuals to $300; and from $300 for a family policy to $500.

• Heard from Rich Stopczynski of Hill Truck Sales regarding a proposed lease program for six new dump trucks.

• Approved an additional appropriation of $200,000 as requested by the fire department to use as a down payment on a new ladder truck.

• Tabled the 2005 salary ordinance for elected officials and the salary ordinance for department heads, appointed positions and salaried and non-salaried employees.

• Set two more budget hearing meetings: Monday at 7:30 p.m., following the plan commission meeting, and Aug. 12 at 6 p.m.

City council members are Jeff Grose, Charlie Smith, George Clemens, Jerry Patterson, Bill Rhoades, Joe Thallemer and Bob Morrison.