WINONA LAKE - Winona Lake Town Council Monday heard from department heads on proposed budget requests for 2009.
The council will have a budget hearing Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. at the town hall and plans to adopt the town's budget Sept. 23.Clerk-Treasurer Retha Hicks said she will meet with the Department of Local Government and Finance this week to discuss the town's proposed budget.
The town is proposing a 3-percent increase for town employee salaries, including the town coordinator, clerk treasurer, senior center director and building commissioner.
The police department is requesting a 3.2-percent salary increase for its chief, assistant chief and deputies.
Town Marshal Paul Schmitt said the department is requesting to purchase a reserve vehicle to replace its current vehicle that has more than 100,000 miles.
The fire department is requesting a 40-percent increase for fire equipment. Kevin Bell, Winona Lake assistant fire chief, said the department wants to purchase a new pump truck. He said the current truck is 19 years old and only has lap belts and not shoulder belts.
"The main concern of the current pump truck is safety of the apparatus," Bell said.
The fire department is proposing a 250-percent increase for computer software and equipment. The department is requesting to purchase two new desktop computers to assist with online training for firefighters.
There also is a proposed 2.5-percent increase for training for the fire department. Bell said the cost of books for mandatory fire safety training for firefighters has increased from $45 to $95, and the department needs to purchase five books.
The fire department also is proposing a 23-percent increase for operating supplies to purchase a fire safety DVD and fire prevention pamphlets to distribute during its programs.
The parks department is requesting a 14.3-percent increase for utilities, including natural gas, electricity and water.
