Mayor Joe Thallemer presented Elaine Call with a plaque for her years of service in the clerk-treasurer’s office and on the common council. From left are Lynne Christiansen, clerk-treasurer; Thallemer; Call; Diane Quance, Cindy Dobbins, and Jerry Frush, councilmen. In back are Mike Valentine, city attorney; Jeff Grose and Ron Shoemaker, councilmen.

WARSAW — After 27 years as clerk-treasurer and four years as a councilwoman, Elaine Call was recognized for her numerous years of service to the town at the close of the Warsaw Common Council meeting Monday evening, Dec. 21.

Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer presented Call with a plaque recognizing her years of service.

Jack Wilhite will take Call’s at-large seat.

“Elaine you’ve done your job. This is your last job …” said Thallemer. “Elaine has been with the council for four years. Elaine was in the clerk-treasurers office for 27 years. Now having the opportunity to sit on this side of the council, she adds a lot to the discussions, she’s kept the I’s dotted, the T’s crossed that’s for sure. Obviously appreciate what you have done, your commitment to the city. I can’t say enough for someone who has given that much to the city  and I think that was very apparent on the council your commitment to the city.”

Call stated she appreciates all the department heads, whether they knew that or not. “I think they do a great job. I think they will continue. I just hope our community continues growing and growing with this good leadership we’ve got.”

Balanced Budget

The council unanimously voted to pass a resolution establishing the total targeted tax rate at $1.2391 with line 1 budget cuts of $663,218. This is a 1 cent per $100 assessed valuation raise over last year’s tax rate. The 2015 tax rate was raised 3.4 cents. This will bring in an additional $66,000 to the city.

A majority of the budget cuts came through insurance, office supplies, office equipment, operating supplies, professional services, salaries and utilities. Line 1 cuts were made in: the general budget: $616,790; Aviation, $9,035; cemetery, $15,123 and park and recreation, $22,000.

Monday evenings action was the final day any decision could be made on the 2016 budget, without the state making the decision. A lower than expected cost for health insurance represented the majority of the cuts. Thallemer stated he did not feel the city needed to utilize the 2.63 cent certified growth factor, allowed by the state, to keep up with inflation. Last year the city used the amount allowed.

The 1 cent tax increase is .8 percent of the total amount of what the city could increase. “We could go up to 2.7 cents to hit the levy,” said Thallemer adding, should the city opt to use the certified growth factor the tax increase would be 1.6 percent. He also stated any increase would not affect the maximum levy in any way shape or form. The council had the option to make no increases or go as high as 2.63 cents.

Years of holding the line, cutting costs and taking a balanced approach has paid off. “We made cuts that could help for tomorrow,” stated Grose.

Call suggested a 2 cent increase. She noted just over a year ago it was a necessity for a bond issue to meet responsibilities. “We are doing much better this year. We started off on higher footage.” She added the city could do so much with the additional funds after hearing needs of the street department, police.

While other council members agreed the city was in a better shape, they felt better with a 1 cent increase. “We are in great shape no matter what,” stated Jeff Grose,