From left, Hugh Murfin, who will replace Phil Shalley on the Silver Lake Town Council in January, and Council President Chad Miner.

SILVER LAKE — At the 2020 budget public hearing, Eric Walsh, partner at Umbaugh and Associates,Indianapolis, told Silver Lake council members to “Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re sitting in great shape.”

Walsh said the summary presented assumes that every dollar budgeted will be spent.

“You guys don’t do that, so we anticipate your picture will actually end up being better than this, but we have to show you worst case scenario in case you do spend everything,” Walsh said.

“The big one that has a big negative cash flow is your EDIT fund with a negative $122,000 cash flow,” Walsh pointed out. “That’s because $200,000 is budgeted in there for demolition of the school, if that does end up happening.”

Walsh discussed year-end percentages of operating balances.

“Some communities I work with are happy when they’re at 15 percent, even 20 percent. A great community is if you’re at 50 percent,” Walsh explained. “If you guys follow this budget across, almost every one of your funds is at 100 percent or above. EDIT is below now, but it was above 100 percent before we budgeted this issue with the school, so you guys are sitting in an envious position.”

Walsh said his company does budgets for approximately 100 cities and towns each year. 

“The lion’s share of them would love to be sitting where you are,” Walsh said.

The budget adoption meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Oct. 24.

KEDCo Executive Director Alan Tio was present at the meeting, urging council members to approve a fee-for-service agreement with the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation.

Tio said each town in the county is being asked to contribute approximately 6 percent of their Economic Development Income Tax fund to KEDCo. He discussed property taxes and expansion of commercial businesses.

Council Member Phil Shalley expressed irritation at what he referred to as “strong arm tactics.“

Shalley told Tio that the council had turned his predecessor down in the past but felt it was time to take another look at the possibility of working with KEDCo when Tio attended the June council meeting.

“Two days later we got an invoice for $2,500 – the first of two invoices,” Shalley said. “I will not vote to go with you, period. Since then we have had a meeting with Kosciusko Community Foundation and I was very impressed with him. If we go with anybody, as far as I’m concerned, we’ll go with him.”

“If I may be so bold — it’s not either-or,” said Tio. “Community Foundation has a role to play, we have a role to play…”

“As far as I’m concerned, you don’t have a role to play here,” Shalley cut in.

When Tio inquired as to why, Shalley said, “You came in and gave a five minute speech and then sent an invoice.”

“It was actually a letter asking for the money — it wasn’t an invoice,” Clerk-Treasurer Tonya Conley clarified.

“It said ‘invoice’ on it and as far as I’m concerned, it’s the same strong-arm tactics,” said Shalley.

“What can you bring to the table to justify us taking money that could be used for other things to help people in the town and give it to you?” Council President Chad Miner asked Tio.

Tio responded it wouldn’t be just him — it would include a team of six others. According to Tio, the team can help identify state and federal resources. The first thing, said Tio, would be to meet with some local employers to see what their needs are.

“Do you help at all with grant writing and getting grants?” Miner asked.

When Tio answered in the affirmative, Council Member Dana Owens asked if there would be additional fees involved in applying for grants or if the initial $2,500 covered all costs involved. 

There are grant administration costs, Tio acknowledged, but those costs can be rolled into the grant.

“I haven’t changed my mind. My suggestion would be to come back in three months — I won’t be on the board,” said Shalley, whose term ends at the end of this year.

Miner suggested the subject be tabled until early 2020 and asked Tio to plan to attend a council meeting after the first of the year so it can be readdressed at that time.

Silver Lake Fire Chief John Conley said Parkview and the SL Fire Department will be hosting a two-part CPR and first aid training class at the fire station, located at 702 E. Main St., Silver Lake. The classes will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. Nov. 11 and Nov. 25. These classes are open to the public. Cost is $60 total for the two sessions, and tickets must be purchased by Nov. 1. Tickets may be purchased at the SL town hall. 

Other News:

• Trick-or-treat hours will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. Stop by the Old Fire Station at 104 N. Jefferson St., Silver Lake between 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Each child will receive a candy bag and you may sign up to win a family prize. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served at this event.
• The Lions Club Halloween party will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 30.
• The Lions Club fish, chicken and tenderloin fry will be held from 4 p.m. until sold out Saturday, Oct. 12.
• Town council approved a purchase of an inflatable rescue boat for the SL Fire Department at a cost of just under $1,500.
• The next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13.