WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council is a step closer to approving its 2016 budget after a public hearing took place Tuesday evening, Sept. 15, during the council’s regular meeting.

The official budget adoption is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 20.

A copy of the budget shows the rainy day, local road and streets, cumulative capital development and redevelopment general funds remaining the same for 2016. The general fund is set to go up from $1,320,675 to $1,389,772, an increase of 5.2 percent. This includes a 3.7 percent increase for the park.

Other changes shown in the draft include a 2 percent increase in the motor vehicle highway fund, from $736,800 to $751,650 and an increase in the parks and recreation budget from $49,300 to $59,600.

The budget will also include a 3 percent salary increase for all city employees except the clerk-treasurer.

The town expects income from EDIT, TIF, LECE Continuing Education and casino riverboat to remain the same, but wastewater to increase to $1,544,150.

The council also voted to approve the county’s new flood plain ordinance. All cities and towns are required to adopt the new ordinance, which includes updated maps. This allows for residents in designated flood plain areas to apply for subsidized flood insurance. The official adoption for the flood plain ordinance is set for Sept. 30.

Work on the greenway is expected to move forward soon. Progress halted when it was discovered that the soil in one area was not suitable for the project. The area will likely be reinforced with a cement-soil mixture and possibly lime to absorb excess moisture. Work should be complete by winter.

Construction has also begun on the parking lot along Park Street. The entrance was originally to be 20 feet wide, with an additional 2 feet along each side for curbs and gutters. However, this was narrowed slightly to 18 feet to avoid running into a phone pedestal and a decorative light pole. In all, the parking lot project will add approximately 30 new spaces.

Plans are in the works to purchase a truck that includes features like a salt spreader and plow capabilities. They hope to do this through the Indiana Bond Bank. To clarify, it was stated that no bonds will be issued for the purchase of the truck, but that the bond bank would simply act as a facilitator.

The splash pad officially closed for the year after Labor Day. Plans for the Limitless Park are moving along and fundraising is taking place for phase two. The Office of Community and Rural Affairs did a site visit and a primacy of place grant has been awarded. Several other grants are also in the application stage to help with the approximately $80,000 budget for the park.

Other News

• The Techno-Glo Run/Walk is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at the Winona Lake Trails.
• The Kids Market will take place form 8 a.m. To 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Rodeheaver Auditorium.
• October events include The Village at Winonal Oktoberfest from 10 a.m. To 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3; Taste & Trade Expo from 10 a.m. To 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, and 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Grace College; and the FOP Glow-N-Dark 5K from 6-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10.