WINONA LAKE – Winona Lake Town Council held a 2016 budget study session Tuesday night. Kent Adams, clerk treasurer, presented the proposed 2016 budget to council members. The 2016 budget is proposed at $5.2 million, a $107,797 or 2.1 percent increase over the 2015 budget. This increase is attributed to an increase in the park budget for utilities, maintenance and staffing for the Limitless Park and for funds needed for storm sewer lift station repairs. Proposed fund amounts for 2016 include rainy day, $119,000, the same as 2015; general, $1.3 million, a $69,057 increase; local roads and streets, $59,000, same as 2015; motor vehicle highway, $751,650, a 2 percent increase; park and recreation, $59,600, a 20.1 percent increase; cumulative capital development, $130,000, same as 2015; and redevelopment general, $50,000, same as 2015. The Economic Development Income Tax is proposed for 2016 at $800,000, the same as 2015; tax increment finance, $200,000, same as 2015; wastewater, $1.5 million, a .009 percent increase; continuing education, $2,500, same as 2015; and casino riverboat, $95,000, same as 2015. The general fund includes police budget increases of $12,168 and $12,500, a 1.8 percent increase for retirement benefits and a new car purchase. The 2016 budget includes a 3 percent salary increase of $16,900 total for all employees except the clerk treasurer, who won’t receive an increase. The council will seek permission during its meeting Tuesday to submit the budget to Gateway to be advertised online. A public hearing on the budget will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 15 and the council will adopt the budget at 6 p.m. Oct. 20.
