Claypool Considers Job Removal To Keep Lower Sewer Rate
Posted
Maddie Jo Shultz-
CLAYPOOL - At Tuesday night's meeting, the Claypool Town Council further discussed options for raising the sewer rate.
At the last regular meeting, a representative from Baker Tilly suggested a 64% increase to the sewer rate to break even, as the town has not seen a sewer rate increase since 1999. Council President Benny Stage Jr. said the town's rate had actually gone down in that time.
The council agreed on raising the sewer rate to 38%, but to make up the difference the only remaining option to cut costs was to remove Claypool's assistant utilities superintendent, currently Andrew Miller. The income from that position would go toward the sewer rate deficit.
Neither councilmembers Gene Warner or Liz Heiman made a motion to approve removing Miller's position. Warner asked that the council hold another meeting with the town attorney to further discuss the issue.
In other business, Chris Harrison, of Commonwealth Engineers Inc., gave an update on projects involving the town’s wastewater treatment plant and retention pond. The Indiana Department of Governmental Management has approved the town's compliance schedule for the project, and the design process should be completed by August.
The council tabled a decision to give $900 to the Lions Club for the festival bands pending a decision on where the funds would come from.
A meeting with the town attorney was scheduled for June 29 at 6:30 p.m. The council's next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. July 18.
