Menu
Maners addresses cumulative capital development, LOIT funds
CLOVERDALE — Town leaders are now tasked with determining how to compensate Cloverdale’s two public safety entities. The breakdown, though, may not be equal.
During its regular meeting Tuesday evening, Clerk-Treasurer Kelly Maners gave the Cloverdale Town Council food for thought on this as she continues to focus on financial stability.
Maners first told the council that the town needed to re-establish its Cumulative Capital Development Fund. She stated that its rate had “deteriorated” and needed to be brought up to the statutory maximum.
This means that the tax rate would be raised half a cent for every $100 of assessed value. Maners added that this would provide an additional $3,300 in revenue per year for the town.
Noting that she had advertised it according to state law, Maners said this was the public hearing for introducing the re-establishment. As such, the hearing on adopting the fund will take place next month.
Resident Dan Moon brought up that Cloverdale’s food and beverage tax was meant to help cut down water bills and relieve debt on the sewage plant. Claiming it was previously decided that this money could be used at will, Moon asked if it could go back to covering the debt.
Maners responded that while she was not sure it could go toward the sewage plant debt, food and beverage money was being appropriated to relieve pressure on the Sewer Fund. She noted that it had been used to cover two blowers.
“I knew that it was for the purpose of helping alleviate the Sewer (Fund),” she said. “That’s my plan, to use that money to help with these major projects and the things that come up; to help fund those major issues so that we can use our regular money to pay off our debt.”
The conversation moved to the fire protection contract the town holds with the Cloverdale Township Volunteer Fire Department and Cloverdale Township Trustee Pat McFadden. Maners introduced it saying the town had to review it annually.
While the town originally agreed to pay $10,000 a year into the contract, Maners said it had paid $15,000 the past several years. While the same amount had been budgeted this year, she said the council had to decide what the final amount would be.
The contract is part of a larger issue about how the town’s Public Safety LOIT (Local Option Income Tax) Fund is divvied up between the fire department and the Cloverdale Police Department.
Maners said that $75,000 had been budgeted in the LOIT Fund. What has yet to be done is to break down how much will be allotted to each. The main concern for her going forward was being fair with the split.
“It’s not about unlimited funds and wishes. We don’t have it,” Maners said matter-of-factly. “I would love to have enough money to just be able to give the fire department everything that they need and want, and give the police department everything that they need and want.”
The reality the clerk-treasurer emphasized is that the town still has a budget. Ultimately, she said the decision had to be done “in the spirit of fairness.”
Maners added that the LOIT Fund was not the only source of income for either department. Except for donations, the police department’s budget comes from the town. While the fire department is not solely funded by Cloverdale, they still have the contract.
Town Marshal Steve Hibler noted that the public safety money can be rolled over. Maners added that there was a small amount built in the fund, but that LOIT money is not guaranteed. As such, it becomes important to ensure a “cushion” every year.
While she said it was on the council to determine how the LOIT money will be split, the clerk-treasurer said she was open to input and compromise.
In other business:
• The council also approved a request by Maners to write off utility debts from 2019 and part of 2020 which were deemed uncollectable. The total amount of the write-offs came to $2,632.90.
• The council approved a request by Town Manager Jason Hartman to repair a chain-link fence at 149 W. Boone St. He explained that it was damaged by a falling tree, and that for the town to replace 20 feet of pipe would cost $74.90. The approval stipulated that the homeowner sign a waiver of release.
• The council approved a request by Sewer Superintendent Brad Fulk to purchase a new security system for the town’s water plant. It will be delivered by S5 Security Solutions with an upfront cost of $285.58 and a recurring charge of $29.95 a month.
• The council approved a request by Fulk to purchase a new sensor for the Headworks screen at the sewer plant for $2,275. The sensor regulates the water level flowing into the screen based on the debris being caught.
• The council approved two items related to a new contract with EAS Technology Consultants. The first was a proposal with Easy Support for a year’s worth of maintenance on the town’s security system. The second was a quote for a new server and a system upgrade.
Maners noted that the police department was “agreeable” with the upgrade, and that it would be covered with the Riverboat Fund and a “small part” from CPD.
While Town Attorney Richard Shagley joined Hartman, Hibler, Maners and the council for the meeting, Councilman Larry Fidler was not present.
The next regular meeting of the Cloverdale Town Council is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. in the Cloverdale Town Hall.