Unbudgeted CAGIT funds total $467,000 for Putnam County

Friday, June 22, 2012

Since the April announcement of a massive state revenue error, the only thing that has been clear is Putnam County was set to get a disbursement of unexpected cash in its coffers.

The exact amount has been about as clear as mud.

The original estimate for County Adjusted Gross Income Tax (CAGIT) funds was $790,673.44, but it was unclear how the money would be distributed among the county's various government entities.

Before the Putnam County Council could decide where to put the money, it had to know how much there was.

Greencastle-Putnam County Economic Development Director Bill Dory helped clear some of that up Tuesday night. Unbudgeted CAGIT distributions to Putnam County will total $467,523.02 in 2012.

Dory also reported additional CAGIT tax replacement distributions for 2011 and 2012 totaling $71,220.46, but these must be used for the 2013 budget.

Possible uses for the CAGIT money were again a point of discussion for the council. While $150,000 has already been pledged to the county highway for road repaving, another $317,000 remains to be distributed.

Councilmen reiterated suggestions for the money made at previous meetings: a one-time bonus for county employees, setting money aside for the Edgelea repaving project and placing some funds back in the rainy day fund.

Commissioner Nancy Fogle also reminded the council more work is needed on roads, stating the highway department is likely to need an additional $100,000 to complete repaving projects.

There is another source for road money, however, as the county also received a windfall in County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT) funds.

With roads as a high priority for the commissioners, particularly Fogle and Gene Beck, chances are good that the vast majority, if not all, of the CEDIT windfall will go toward the cause.

In another highway department matter, Council also approved a money transfer to go toward the closure of Bridge 42.

An inspector recently suggested the closure of the bridge, which carries County Road 25 West across South Ramp Creek in southern Franklin Township.

The $30,000 needed for the project will come from funds previously allocated to a project to replace Dunbar Bridge.

In other business, the council approved a number of additional appropriations:

* Tentative approval was given for $30,000 for the maintenance of Sheriff's Department vehicles.

Sheriff Steve Fenwick told the council that when the deputy force was increased by three officers four years ago, the budget for vehicle maintenance was not increased accordingly.

No official request for an additional appropriation had been filed, so the matter had not been advertised. Once it has been advertised, the official request will go before the council at its July meeting.

Fenwick is likely to be back in the coming months for a request for fuel money, as the budgeted amount has also not been increased in recent years.

* The council approved $158,000 for the narrow banding of county two-way radios -- $143,000 from the Hazardous Materials Fund and $15,000 from the 800 Fund.

911 Director Dave Costin has been talking about the federally-mandated transition for some months. After Jan. 1, non-compliant agencies could face fines from the Federal Communications Commission of $10,000 per day.

* County Assessor Nancy Dennis requested $3,000 to be transferred from reassessment to fuel. With cyclical reassessment now mandated by the state, workers will be doing much more field work, necessitating more money for gas.

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  • The wheels of the Council have stopped turning...

    -- Posted by kubotafan on Fri, Jun 22, 2012, at 5:09 AM
  • National Security/Economic/Jobs/Tax Reform Strategic Plan for America and ALL States

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    Create good paying American jobs with good benefits for American citizens by repealing all sales/consumption taxes and replace the lost revenue with an import tax/tariff on imported labor (India, Poland & Guatemala) & manufactured goods (Mexico and Communist China, North Korea & Vietnam). Increase the federal income tax deduction from $5700 (2010) to $15000 for American citizens. Increase the IN state income tax exemption for non-dependent adults from $1000 to $5000, up to $15,000; depending on disabilities and age. All standard deductions and exemptions should be adjusted for inflation. Collect an export tax on natural resources/commodities such as coal, oil, natural gas & grains.

    Repeal all wealthy individual, business and new development/construction tax incentives such as tax abatement, tax increment financing, grants, deductions, credits, tax free bonds, subsidies, earmarks, loopholes and other corporate welfare that are shifting business costs and taxes to other taxpayers, exporting American jobs or creating poverty wage American jobs. OR, require these corporate welfare kings to pay a living wage, minimum wage of $15/hour with good benefits; adjusted for inflation. Repeal IN "right to work legislation". Repeal IN tax cuts for corporate/business income (25%), inventory, property and inheritance. Repeal EITC, EDGE and EDIT. Eliminate all economic development and redevelopment commissions. Collect mandatory impact fees (IN code: 36-7-4-1300, only infrastructure today); but, expand the code to collect impact fees for schools, libraries, parks, police and fire. Search for Brent Pittman Brownsburg, IN at flyergroup.com, LinkedIn.com and google.com for more information and details.

    -- Posted by Brent Pittman on Fri, Jun 22, 2012, at 1:25 PM
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