LaGrange County Council Update
council to work on trimming expenses,
the Council was able to reduce the
amounts by $1,500,000, which is still
$1,200,000 short and which still needs
to be reduced or new revenue needs to
be found.
The Council will meet again on
Thursday September 29,2011 to determine how we will bring the requests
for 2012 into line with our projected
revenues. As stated earlier, we will be
looking at all of the options that will
allow us to balance the budget.
by Jac Price
A special session was held on
Boat Fund, etc., to pay for general fund
August 9, 2011 to meet that statutory
expenses.
requirements to review the budgets
The Council was informed that the
of the incorporated towns, townships
Indiana Court Administration Rule
and the Library Board. The purpose of has gone into effect that requires all
this non-binding review is intended to counties to consolidate all Probation
reveal overall tax rates for 2012 and
Departments within a county to one
aid in coordination among taxing enti- department. In the LaGrange County
ties. After reviewing these documents, case the two judges have agreed to do
there was a motion to adopt a nonthis and the two separate budgets as
binding recommendation on tax rate,
presented will need to be consolidated
As always, we sill try to be good stewards of
your tax dollars.
levy and budgets as presented.
into one budget. This will be done and
County Clerk Beverly Elliott appresented prior
La
ts
rg
en
peared to request $400.00 be appropri- to the time of the
Se e Fr
ati e
P m
lec am
w
o
tio e
ated to supply money for a cash drawer adoptions of budNe elc
n
W
for each of the clerks who handle
gets. It is anticipated
money in the Clerks Office. The council that this will create
approved the request.
a savings.
Glasses • Contact Lenses ?? ? Eye Exams • Medical Eye Care
The Council next considered the
After two days
Scratch Coat Warranty: TD2! Tough - Durable - 2-sided!
transfers and additional appropriaof hearings and
350 S. Van Buren • Shipshewana, IN 46565
tions. After discussion we removed
having most on the
CLOSED WEDNESDAYS and SATURDAYS
(In the Next Door building)
$700,000.00 appropriation from the
elected officials or
D. Elliott O.D.
Office Hrs: 9-12 & 1-5
Rainy Day Fund for the Lakeland
department heads
T. Morlan O.D.
(260) 768-7721 Mon, Tue, Thu. & Fri
High School New Tech program. Also
appear before the
County Health Director Alfredo Garcia
presented a case for the additional
appropriation in 2011 of $118,451.09
rather than the $30,000.00 which had
been advertised. After the presentation
The third grade classes from
research and compose reports covering
there was a discussion with Mr. Garcia
Topeka Elementary School traveled
information about the animals. In
regarding the fact that the Health Deto Maple Lane Animal Park outside of
the spring, students will return to the
partment will need to have to request
Topeka to observe animals. Throughpark as a follow-up learning experithe Auditor to advertise an additional
out the school year, the students will
ence.
appropriation for the $88,451.09
which has not at this time been appropriated. After this discussion the
Council approved the additional appropriations as amended.
The County Council met in regular
session on Monday and Tuesday September 12 and 13. The County Financial Advisor informed us that, based on
the data from the Department of Local
Government Finance, the proposed
budgets for 2012 has a deficiency as
compared to the revenue projected to
be $2,700,000.00. There are only three
ways to bring the revenues and expenses into balance. Those are reducing expenses and services, increase revenue,
or find non general fund accounts,
such as County Economic Development
Income Tax, Rainy Day Fund, River
InSight
Total Family Eye Care
Topeka Elementary
The Hometown Treasure · ·Oct. ‘11 · ·pg 49
The Hometown Treasure Oct. ‘11 pg 49