Cloverdale facing tough decisions
CLOVERDALE -- The town may be cutting employee salaries or jobs next year to save itself from going in the red.
During a joint town council/utility board meeting Wednesday, council members were told the town's health insurance premium could jump 17 to 22 percent in 2010. It is also considering a loss in property tax collections next year.
"It is not one problem. It's several things," said council member Dennis Padgett.
The town has already made cuts in law enforcement and left the utility department shorthanded for several years.
Council members will discuss their options further during a special "workshop" set for 4 p.m. Dec. 12 at Town Hall.
In other business:
* Council members voted to purchase a nearly $60,000 jet/vac truck for the utility department from Brown Equipment. The 1999 rebuilt machine was previously used in Columbus and promises to save the town money -- in labor and vac situations.
It will be financed through First National Bank at 3.97 percent with 36 monthly payments of $1,769.16. The utility department will take delivery of the equipment some time next week.
* Cloverdale residents will see a 3 percent increase on their water bills beginning Jan. 1, 2010. The second phase of the water rate ordinance will take effect on that date.
* Sewer Plant Road will receive a new name -- Vickroy Lane. The new name is in honor of the late Glen Vickroy, who served as a town council member.
Vickroy died May 7 at age 81. He spent 18 to 20 years serving on various town boards and retired as a truck driver.
His daughter Cathy Tipton won his town council seat in June. She said she felt honored the road will be renamed after her father.
"It was very nice for the council to honor him," she added.
* Council vice-president Steve Caulkins informed the council a snowplow is needed. The town currently has one working snow plow, with one fixable at a minimal cost.
Council member Terry Puffer made a motion to hear quotes and dollar amounts on repairs from utility manager Don Guthrie during the regular town council meeting Dec. 8.
* Council members approved to purchase fencing at $12,075. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management gave Cloverdale until the end of 2009 to erect a fence around the property at the utility department.
"Will we meet the deadline," questioned council member Kathy Tipton.
Council president Don Sublett said Guthrie is calling IDEM to inform them the situation is being handled.
* The Cloverdale Planning and Commission board needs two members. The Board of Zoning Appeals has one vacancy.
Anyone interested in joining either board should call clerk-treasurer Patti Truax at 795-6033.