For the second
consecutive year Porter can’t afford to give its employees raises, but the
Town Council did give them two additional personal days off to be used
within 12 months of the resolution’s adoption Tuesday.
The perk is not
intended to be a permanent benefit.
Council president
Greg Stinson said the move is a recognition of how hard the employees work.
“We’re happy we’re able to at least do something.” The days off require
prior approval of the employee’s department head.
During a public
hearing on the proposed 2015 budget, no one commented other than a reporter
to ask about possible raises or any additional employees slated for next
year.
According to
Stinson, “Everything is flat for 2015 as we continue to get our fiscal house
in order.” Previously instituted austerity measures enacted for this year
will remain in place.
A copy of
the12-fund statement was available prior to the meeting showing the General
fund, which includes the Police Department, requested to be $2,175,700 with
$1,489,241 coming from property taxes.
The Local Road and
Street fund was set at $57,218 and the Motor Vehicle Highway fund at
$676,630. If the budget is approved by state tax officials, the Fire Fund
would see $214,859 next year and the Park Fund $177,895.
The CEDIT fund was
set at $340,983 and two capital funds at a combined $95,000.
The council
approved the budget on first reading and set final adoption for Oct. 14.
In a related
matter, the council under suspension of the rules voted 4-0 with member Elka
Nelson absent to create a health insurance fund so money on deposit there
can be used to pay a portion of the health insurance deductible for town
employees/officials. A switch in insurance providers necessitated the
action.
Assembly permit
clarified
Police chief James
Spanier asked for clarification who needs to obtain a town assembly permit
for events that take place in Hawthorne Park.
Prior to its
dissolution the Park Board used to approve events in the park but Spanier
said “we’ve got a little gray area in the middle” now over which groups need
a formal permit and to provide insurance.
Council member
Jeannine Virtue said her concern is events that should post insurance
continue to do so.
Stinson said the
park director and council liaison to the Park Department could review
requests for in-park events and the ones solely within park grounds wouldn’t
need a permit. Events that go beyond park grounds like the Family 4th Fest
with its downtown parade would.
Resident Jennifer
Klug said a differentiation could be made between private events, like
wedding receptions and graduation open houses, and events geared toward the
general public. Stinson and Spanier said they liked the distinction, and
Stinson said he was amending his opinion as to wording for the change.
Director Brian
Bugajski said the Park Department still is seeking donations of items
suitable for the Oct. 11 Perfect Pint brewfest fundraiser’s silent auction.
Oct. 12 the event’s large tent will be used for an Out of the Darkness
suicide-prevention benefit ride. The council voted to waive the park rental
fee for that event.
Public Works kudos
Public Works
director Brenda Brueckheimer said a sanitary sewer overflow study from 2004
to 2014 shows great improvement.
The period spans
Porter entering into an agreed order with the Indiana Department of
Environmental Management and the town spending millions of dollars on
mandated sewer upgrades.
Brueckheimer
reported in 2007 the main Porter Avenue lift station released 265,283
gallons of raw sewage into the Little Calumet River. In 2014 there have been
no releases after a new station was built.
Likewise the
Triangle Trail lift station released 278,000 gallons of sewage into a ditch
in 2008, none in 2012 and two minimal 1,000-gallons releases in 2013.
Brueckheimer said
the report is evidence how much sewage the town is keeping where it belongs
and out of the rivers and streams. Commented Virtue, “This is amazing
showing all the work you guys have done. Good job."