Bainbridge council eyes 2013 budget

Friday, August 10, 2012

BAINBRIDGE -- With the salt barn now complete, the Bainbridge Town Council was able to turn its focus Wednesday to other issues -- like next year's budget.

Following the regular August meeting, council members took part in a budget workshop, during which clerk-treasurer Jason Hartman answered questions the council members had regarding next year's budget.

The budget is expected to be completed prior to next month's meeting on Sept. 12, during which a public hearing will be conducted.

The budget would then be voted for approval in October.

Bainbridge made a number of large purchases this past year, including the construction of a salt barn, reworking the storm drains on South Washington Street and purchasing a new police cruiser, that will likely not need to be repeated next year.

The water tower, which was remodeled and completed this year, was paid for with grant money.

Construction for the salt barn was completed in late July and cost $37,880.

"That's up and done and look really good," council president Chuck McElwee said. "I thought it turned out well."

The building has already been filled with salt, 59,000 pounds total, at a cost of $60 per ton.

That salt volume should allow the town to easily make it through the winter, which typically requires around half that.

The town recycling dumpster has also been moved to a location near the salt barn. It was relocated from the lot near East Point Park.

This month Bainbridge also received the new Chevrolet Caprice police cruiser they purchased earlier in the year. After installing accessories the car totaled $39,366.

Town marshal Rodney Fenwick said he was extremely happy with the new car, the only one of its kind in Indiana up to this point, adding that it has been called "the last police interceptor."

The car has a 6-liter V8 engine and reportedly can accelerate to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, while having a fuel economy of 18 mpg.

In other business:

- The town has made its own minor repairs to the walking path at East Point Park.

- The town agreed to host an upcoming event for utility superintendent Jim Nelson, who will be officially retiring on Sept. 28.

- An old Christmas tree, which fell last week and landed on a town street and sidewalk, damaged a nearby building. The town is giving the property owner one week to clean up the debris before sending her a bill.

- Town officials reopened discussion for enforcement of town ordinances for traffic violations, which would be done as an alternative to state laws. No decision was reached.

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