The Hometown Treasure August 2011 | Page 26

August 2011 Phone: 260-463-4901 • Fax 888-439-6528 • The Hometown Treasure Page 26 COUNTY COUNCIL — continued from previous page Plan Commission, Surveyor, and Building Departments work to reorganize these three areas of work under one supervisor. Reduced the County Attorney retainer by $1,000. Eliminated the $25,000 for contractor Human Resource Contract in the Council budget. Removed $20,000 from the Jail budget earmarked for utilities. Sheriff Budget moved the retirement payment from General Fund to the Rainy Day Fund. Removed a paid days off for day after Thanksgiving, Columbus Day and the day before Christmas. After lengthy discussion on taking off one day a month by all of the employees, it was decided not to do this as none of the elected or department heads would not be affected as by state statue. It was felt that all employees should be affected equally by this type of an action. The council also recommended that if a department has an employee quit, they try to either replace this person with a part time replacement or try to not replace the person at all. The council knows this is only the first step. DLGF (Department of Local Government Finance) and our financial person have told us we have to either increase revenues or cut our expenses. The 2012 budget meetings of the next couple of months have the potential to be very difficult. We will continue to work to present a balanced budget that does not have an adverse effect on the services to county residents or increase your taxes. I am becoming very concerned as to how long we will be able to not implement the LOIT (Local Option Income Tax) and consider from where we will pay the Jail Bond Payment. I’ll keep all of you informed as we move ahead on this budget issue. As always, we will try to be good stewards of your tax dollars. T A B O O R I M I N S U N O V G U E S S W H O B N I O T H I O lr A S O M P uo L A O H L T E L O P I T N P M L es Y l s U D I S O R R R S R E R U ew S C L U Y M E s o U R N Y M I A S N K s r B A E I T H K d B T U by Melissa L Z B Byler on page 13. E E K E R P L U N K Solution to the C Where specials spill out of shop doors and onto the sidewalks! Refresh ments ide ownwge T ra Ga s Sale Al’s Trimworks New Home Trim, Cabinet & Door Installation Al Fry (260) 768-7830 ext. 3 Ark Animal Rescue And Adoption Center Fundraiser Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption, Inc. will hold a community event on July 30 at 1:30 pm in the town square to raise pet food donations for their Pet Food Pantry. The pantry helps families who are out of work, or suffering some hardship, be able to care for and keep their family pets. The entry fee for the event is pet food. Some items on the schedule include a dog parade at 2 p.m., a therapy dog demonstration at 2:45 p.m., and a prize drawing at 3:15 p.m. Questions about the event or Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption can be directed to their office at 260-562-2100.