Winona Lake Approves 2013 Salaries
Members of the Winona Lake Town Council approved salary recommendations for 2013. Employees, appointed and elected positions will see a 3 percent increase with the exception of council members, town coordinator and the clerk-treasurer.
Council members and the town coordinator will see no increase in wages while the clerk-treasurer will donated back 5 percent of his salary as laws prevent the reduction of the clerk-treasurer’s salary.
Combined with a reduction of 13 weekly hours in two staff positions, the 2013 overall budget for Winona Lake is set at $4,756,197. A 1.7 percent decrease, or about $81,000 less than the 2012 budget.
The board also approved the 2013 hourly rates of clerks, parks department and town commissioner as well as the 2012 Christmas bonus. The Christmas bonus amount has not changed over the years and is included within the budget.
The Wayne Township Agreement for use of parks in 2013 was also approved. The board accepted the payment of $12,000 by the township for joint use of parks by residents of Wayne Township.
Gary Holbrook was on hand to discuss health insurance options to the board members. He explained the pros and cons of an aggregated deductible versus an embedded deductible. The embedded deductible increases the town’s share and reduces the employee’s share, and provided better options according to Holbrook. The board approved the embedded deductible.
In supervisor’s reports, Pete O’Connell of the street department reported the completion of the Wooster Road and Prestwick construction projects. Winona Lake Police Chief Paul Schmitt reported the town’s newest cruiser is now rolling.
Greg Winn reported one issue within his ward. Thursday newspaper deliveries piling up in drive-ways as the residents are gone for the season. Winn spoke with the delivery boy and the publication, to no avail, about possibly ceasing deliveries in the event that previous issues remain in sight. The board suggested a repeated attempt to work with the publication.
The Winona Lake Town Council will meet again at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 11.