Beginning last year, all taxing entities except the school systems are required to submit budgets to the county council for review. Township trustees and representatives of the City of Washington and the towns of Plainville, Odon, Montgomery, Elnora, Cannelburg and Alfordsville were to come before the council during the budget hearings.
The state asked the taxing entities to hold any budget increases to 3.8 percent as their growth quotient. Seven of the 17 taxing bodies had a higher percentage. The council could advise the entities of the problem but the suggestions were non-binding as they have elected boards. The boards of the entities can leave the budgets as submitted or reduce them if they see fit.
The largest increase was from the town of Cannelburg whose budget increased 71.16 percent. The council suggested that the town board remove trash pickup from the budget, thereby illuminating $8,800. They suggested residents pay for their own trash pickup as do citizens of Loogootee. Patsy Lawyer said the state had also suggested that solution, but the town board felt the citizens were paying for the trash pick up through their taxes.
“Every year it gets cut more and more and now we’re to the point where we’re not making it,” she said. “Utility bills have to wait. The contract with the fire department, we haven’t been able to pay this year. The state says the assessed valuation keeps dropping so they cut our budget.”
The council agreed Cannelburg was facing a dilemma.
“Cannelburg has some general problems,” Councilman Ken Solliday said. “They need to start charging people for trash pickup.”
Other townships over the 3.8 percent increase limit were Barr, VanBuren and Harrison and the towns of Alfordsville, Montgomery and Plainville.
Barr Township’s budget increased 24 percent with the biggest jump in burial expenses.
Trustees who did not attend the meeting to discuss their budgets were Amy Holstine from Bogard Township, Sylvia Stafford from Harrison Township, Paul Shafer from Madison Township, Joan Harker from Reeve Township, as well as Angie Shake from the town of Plainville.
Marlin Kelso from Alfordsville said the town’s budget was up 9.27 percent as the town was trying to save some money to blacktop the roads. “We’re working on bare bones,” he said.
Cindy Smith from Montgomery explained the town is doing paving forcing a budget increase of 15.1 percent.
Steve Riggins with VanBuren Township said the budget is up 5.08 percent as they are facing a possible IRS penalty and put the money in the budget just in case.
Councilman Mike Sprinkle recommended that all those taxing entities with a higher than 3.8 percent budget increase be sent a letter from the council advising them to lower their budgets to stay at the 3.8 percent or less. The council agreed.
“They don’t have to listen to us,” Sprinkle said. “But it’s a general blanket.”
Local News
City, towns, trustees share budgets
- Local News
-
-
ND commencement is Friday evening
North Daviess High School will hold it commencement exercises at 7 p.m. Friday.
Following the processional led by North Daviess faculty and juniors Janice Knepp and Cari Jo Wilson, the voluntary invocation will be led by Chelsea Graber. Stacey Beard, class president, will then make welcoming and introductory remarks. -
Fire destroys home in minutes
A Tuesday afternoon fire in rural Daviess County has left a family homeless, although unharmed.
-
Barr-Reeve holds 47th commencement Saturday
Barr-Reeve High School will hold its 47th Commencement Exercises on Saturday afternoon in the high school gymnasium beginning at 2 p.m. Again this year, the graduation will be an afternoon affair.
-
Loogootee to hold graduation Friday
Loogootee Junior/Senior High School Class of 2012 will hold its graduation exercises at 7 p.m. Friday.
-
ND finds ways to use cell phones
A lengthy discussion between North Daviess school board and administrative members concerning future student cell phone usage dominated the board’s Monday meeting.
Board members were considering a second reading for the school’s junior and senior high school handbooks when the discussion began. -
Relay for Life kicks off
The 2012 Relay for Life kicked off at the Lena Dunn Elementary School track on Friday. The event started (above) with the survivor lap with the other participants lining the track to cheer them on. The relay continues through today at the track.
-
WHS DECA shows off national award
Washington High School DECA advisor Bill Turner had show-and-tell at the Washington Community Schools Board meeting Thursday night.
-
Brashear, Bush make history at DECA conference
Connor Brashear and Austin Bush became the first students from Washington DECA to place first at the international career development conference.
-
NSWC Crane to host charity bike event Saturday
Bike enthusiasts will use pedal power to raise funds for injured military personnel Saturday on the 100-square-mile Naval Support Activity Crane facility.
-
Shoals to hold commencement Saturday
Shoals Junior/Senior High School will hold its commencement at 2 p.m. Saturday in the high school gymnasium.
- More Local News Headlines
-
ND commencement is Friday evening
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
Hurricane Forecast: 15 Named Storms Expected
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman
Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
