Winona Lake’s 2020 Tax Rate Could Drop A Few Cents
WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council held a public hearing for the proposed 2020 budget, Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The proposed budget includes a 4.6 percent decrease in the total budget from $5,270,253 in 2019 to $5,029,852.
The proposed budget’s general fund is expected to rise as much as 1.6 percent increase and includes money for a 3 percent increase in pay for all employees except the Clerk-Treasurer Kent Adams who will see his pay remain the same. Local Road and Street fund includes a 26.8 percent decrease based on estimated fund expenditures.
The Motor Vehicle Highway fund includes a 3 percent decrease based on moving Statutory Fund Expenditures to the Local Road and Street Fund. The Recreational General Fund saw a proposed 100 decrease due to a dormant fund. The Cumulative Capital Development fund may include a 7 percent increase for two new vehicles and equipment for the police department.
The town property assessed value increased 3.7 from $161,245,803 to $167,245,803. The town tax rate will decrease from 72.49 cents to 69.92 cents, a 3.5 percent decrease.
“We feel fortunate to be able to do [the budget decrease] when most are increasing,” said Winona Lake Clerk-Treasurer Kent Adams.
No action on the budget was required at the Town Council meeting. Official adoption of the 2020 budget occurs at the next meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
When opening the floor for questions, a man inquired regarding the absence of figures for trash removal in the proposed budget. Town Coordinator Craig Allebach responded that trash removal is fee-based and wrapped into the general fund. The town pays the balance of trash removal.
“We are currently doing a rate study [regarding trash removal costs]. We expect to have those figures, probably in another 30 to 60 days,” said Allebach.
Police Chief Joe Hawn announced the purchase of a police bicycle, thanks to a grant from the K21 Health Foundation.
Hawn said the use of the bicycles allows officers to ensure a safe environment on the Winona Heritage Trails.