Pictured, from left, are Council Member Phil Shalley and Council President Chad Miner.

SILVER LAKE — Shannon McLeod, grant writer/administrator for Priority Project Resources, Inc., Greensburg, attended the Silver Lake town council meeting Wednesday, Feb. 13, to give an update on final finances for the sewer/stormwater project.

McLeod stated that now that the project is complete, the town should start saving for replacements and repairs. She recommended that the town save $12,500 per year in their sewer operating fund so that they would not have to borrow for projects in the future. Clerk-Treasurer Tonya Conley informed the board that right now, that amount is not feasible. McLeod stated that any amount is better than nothing.

She then gave an update on the project financials. Overall, the total project cost came out to be $904,685.60, which was $46,314.40 less than the original project budget.

Of the leftover project funds, $29,231.40 was grant money, which can’t be accessed by the town. The remaining $17,083 was leftover from the State Revolving Fund loan; this money can be accessed in a few different ways.

The town could request that the SRF authorize use of the funds for wastewater utility purchases; leave the money alone and it would help pay the last SRF payment in 20 years, which would not affect the bi-annual payment amount; or draw the money and use it to make the first loan payment.

The council agreed that they would like more time to make a decision on the use of the money. They also asked McLeod to look into the possibility of taking out that money and adding it to the sewer/stormwater operating budget in case purchases were needed in the near future.

Silver Lake Town Marshal Jason McGlennen gave an update on multiple grants he has applied for. He has received a new PBT, drug test kits, body camera, a set of in-vehicle computers, scanner and printer and at least one radar. He noted that he is still waiting for the new prescription drop-off box to be delivered and to hear back from the Naloxone grant the town received last year.

According to McGlennen, he has been working with the Kosciusko County Health Department to condemn five houses in town. He also received permission to start seeking donations and grants to replace their 2007 vehicle which currently has around 110,000 miles. The council also approved paying officer Eric Kelley for 29 hours per week for the eight weeks he is attending the police academy. When Kelley returns from the academy, he will return to working 16 hours per week.

In other news:

• Due to a scheduling conflict, the March council meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 6.
• Randy Hollar of Crossroads Bank attended the meeting to share a loan opportunity with the council. The council stated they would need to check with the State Board of Accounts to see if a loan through the bank is feasible.
• The council approved the 2019 budget and insurance agreement for USDA Rural Development.
• An agreement between the township and the town for fire services was approved. The only change from last years is that the agreement states the township can use town equipment as the agreement in the past has only stated that the town could use township equipment.
• The council approved an ordinance to update the healthcare personnel policy. Previously the policy stated that any employee who works 20 hours a week is eligible for healthcare benefits, but the Department of Labor says that employees must work a minimum of 30 hours a week to be eligible. The new ordinance reflects the Department of Labor requirements.
• Due to water leaks, the council approved Brittany Denny for $3.11 off her bill and John Bullington for $72.82 off his bill.
• The annual hazard mitigation plan with Kosciusko County was approved.