Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SOUTH WHITLEY - The COMPETE project was introduced to town council members last night by Victoria Castor and Chris Johnston.
COMPETE, the Coalition on Monitoring Public Efficiency and Tax Expenditures Project, is a privately funded venture designed to examine the functions of township, city/town and county levels of local Indiana government.
Whitley County was selected, along with Porter, Hancock, Monroe, Franklin and Vanderburgh counties, to participate in the project and begin collecting field data for phase one, a findings and analysis phase.
The second phase, a public dissemination phase, circulates the findings of the study throughout the state to local elected and state officials, public interest groups, media and the general public.
Johnston, a certified public accountant with Municipal Consultants, explained to board members Tony Starkey, Glee Eberly and Tom Rudd, that the study seeks their direction and input.
"What allows you to do what you do?" he asked. "We will be compiling all the findings and then compare Whitley County with other counties and recommend procedural or legislative changes to the State Board of Accounts."
Castor, a public policy manager with Metropolitan Association of Greater Indianapolis Communities, said the study will not return with a set of mandates.
"We're developing a list of options, then it is up to local officials and their associations as to how to pursue those options," she said.
"We know there are overlaps in certain state codes and services," Johnston said. "We want to see how small communities achieve efficiencies."
Starkey, council president, commented the study looks like a worthwhile project.
A survey was distributed among members to begin the study. Johnson said he will be in the area again Oct. 5 and 8.
The board was presented Ordinance No. 98-9-1 to increase sewage service rates, based upon the amount of water used, by Jonathan Myers, town counsel.
The monthly rate for the first $2,000 gallons is $4.55; next 8,000 gallons is $3.82; next 25,000 gallons is $3.08; next 65,000 gallons is $2.55; and more than $100,000 is $2.12.
The minimum charge for sewage service where the user is a metered water consumer will be based on meter size as follows: for a 5/8 - 3/4-inch meter the monthly charge is $9.10; 1-inch meter - $14.60; 1-1/4-inch meter - $21.85; 1-1/2-inch meter - $29.05; 2-inch meter - $54.50; 3-inch meter - $108.95; 4-inch meter - $181.55; and 6-inch meter - $363.10.
A flat rate for residential sewage service, where the user is not a metered water user, is $18.63 per month based on an assumed consumption of $4,500.
A public hearing on this ordinance is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 13, prior to the regular meeting.
Clerk Mitch Winger advised the board the budget was adopted Sept. 17 and has been forwarded to the State Board of Accounts.
He also asked trash pickup service contracts to be bid out for consideration at the first of the year. Bids will be considered at the Nov. 10 meeting.
Town Marshal Dave McKeever said the Fall Festival celebration last weekend went relatively smoothly.
He informed the board a video camera was purchased by the Whitley County Prosecutor's Office for use in the squad car. Both squad cars are now equipped with cameras.
McKeever said the $4,300 Custom Signals system has been installed. An older taping system was moved to the 1993 squad car.
"Every time we get improvements like this," the officer said, "it makes for less arguments in court."
The new system includes features like logging a vehicle's speed on film.
McKeever said he was contacted by Centennial Wireless with a request to install a repeater antenna on the water tower.
"In return for the antenna they want to give the town a cellular phone with unlimited usage," McKeever said.
Cellular telephone owners experience many "dead spots" in South Whitley and often cannot use the phones.
The board made no decision regarding the installation. Myers advised the board to contact the company regarding their offer.
Three properties in possible violation of trash and nuisance ordinances were discussed. Notification will be forwarded to the property owners.
Halloween trick or treat times were set for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
The board approved spending $1,600 to purchase 24 Christmas-themed banners for the Chamber of Commerce. The banners will hang from the light poles along State Street.
Eberly said in the past the town and the Chamber have equally contributed funds for the purchase of decorations. None have been bought for the last two years.
The board was reminded the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns holds its quarterly meeting at Eberly Hall at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1. An Office of Utility Consumer counselor representative is speaker.
