Budget, taxes on town's mind

Thursday, March 15, 2007

The whereabouts of the town's 2007 budget and the new tax increase were on the minds of the Russellville Town Council during its monthly meeting Wednesday.

Council member James Rodgers asked if the town had its budget for 2007. Council president Sally McAfee said that nothing has been approved yet.

The council learned that the county had taken $18,000 for fire hydrants off the budget because it put the town $22,000 over what the state would allow.

McAfee said she had learned that the town should not "spend the extra money, and we will get a budget approved for a lesser amount than what the budget went through with."

In other words, the town's budget would get cut, and it should act like it has the money until it receives notification from the state on the approved budget.

Rodgers then asked where is the money to pay things like the payroll. McAfee said, "We don't have it yet."

Meanwhile, resident Richard Fordice brought up the new tax increase. Fordice said that all property owners need to read and understand the tax information they received in the mail. He also said that were some residents who received the information, but do not own the property they live on.

McAfee said the council is concerned about this new increase and will be notifying all town residents to check their information carefully.

The council also heard from Dianna Gorrell from the Friends of the Park, about moving the flagpole at the shelter house.

Council member Don Reddish informed McAfee and Rodger that the flagpole's currently location continues to strike the shelter house, and rips every flag that is placed up there.

Gorrell informed the council she had placed the current flag on the pole after President Gerald Ford died, and is already ripped. She also said it would not cost the town anything if the Friends of the Park handled it, but she wanted council's permission before doing it.

The council voted three to zero to all Gorrell and the Friends of the Park to move the flagpole.

In other business, the council:

  • Learned it needed to send Ordinance 2007-1, Unsafe Buildings, to Planning Director Kim Hyten.

  • Learned it needed to send the 2007 election contract to Putnam County Circuit Clerk Marty Watts.

  • Learned it needed to reset the fire hydrant rental fees.

  • Learned that council member Rodgers has already taken the necessary National Incident Management System courses. Now it is McAfee and Reddish's turn.

  • Learned that the residents are screaming about the potholes and other needed street repairs. McAfee said she contacted Dave Sutherlin to see if he had any coal patch available, but he has not returned her phone call.

    Fordice suggested getting the same stuff the town got eight years ago from Cloverdale, and to contact Donnie Walton. Reddish said he would contact Walton about getting coal patch and find out the estimated cost.

  • Learned that the basketball goals are broken. Street Supt. Chester Leatherman said he was pretty sure both goals were broken. Gorrell said she would bring the council price estimates for new ones from different sporting good stores.

    The council meets regularly every second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the town hall. The next scheduled meeting is set for Wednesday, April 11. This meeting is open to the public.

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