Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - The town council Tuesday again discussed ways to make up for a shortfall in its capital budget.
According to Retha Hicks, Winona Lake clerk-treasurer, the current capital budget - the long-range strategic spending plan for major projects and equipment - shows a $260,000 shortfall over the next 15 years with the current spending plan on new town equipment and construction projects.
Council president Brent Wilcoxson said the council is faced with a choice in how they eliminate the capital budget deficit.
"We can either raise property taxes or delete some planned equipment," he said.
Hicks confirmed that if the some planned purchases are not eliminated from the current capital budget, a deficit would result.
For that shortfall to be eliminated through a property tax increase, it would require an increase in the property tax rate of 7 cents per $100 of assessed value - approximately $17,000 per year over the next 15 years for the town as a whole, under the current assessment figures, she said.
In a related matter, fire chief Roger Gelbaugh renewed the department's request for an expansion of the fire station, with an estimated cost of $26,000. The project would add an additional parking bay and a sleeping area for the firefighters.
"The station is very crowded with the equipment we have, and we need more room for bunks and indoor training," he said.
In other business, Wilcoxson said the new town hall is essentially complete and the town departments are moving into the new facility.
"I want to thank Retha Hicks, Dick Leaf and Harold Dunn for all their work on getting this project done to meet the needs of three departments for many years to come," he said.
Wilcoxson said the project will come in at an approximate cost of $39 per square foot, an exceptionally low rate for construction projects.
Hicks also asked that town residents be patient with phone calls into the new town hall for a short period. All the new phone lines are not completely installed, which may lead to longer than normal answering times for those calling town offices.
