It was all budgets at the Warsaw City Council’s meeting on Aug. 4. The council was presented with the 2015 budgets from nonprofits, the mayor and other government entities.

First, the council heard presentations for non-profit council contract requests. Many of the organizations asking the council for financial assistance have done business with the city in the past. Most of them were not asking for any additional funds.

The Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County requested an extra $1,500. “We’ve asked for a small increase this year,” said Executive Director Darla McCammon.

McCammon stated that the AWL would like to build a new building. “We need a shelter that attracts people to this community,” McCammon said.

Housing Opportunities of Warsaw requested the greatest increase, asking for 45 percent more than 2014. This additional funding would be applied to the Market Street corridor “to make homes safe and affordable.”

For the first time, Kosciusko County Lakes and Streams applied for financial aid. “This is a working group that’s done a tremendous amount of research,” said Mayor Joe Thallemer.

The CLS has conducted studies and surveys on the local lakes. It has requested a $5,000 grant from the city to support studies on Center, Pike and Winona Lakes.

The City County Athletic Complex asked for $31,000, Warsaw Community Development Corporation requested $12,600, Warsaw Housing Authority asked for $30,000, and the Kosciusko Area Bus Service requested $18,500. Each amount was the same requested for 2014 budgets. KABS requested an additional $10,000 for a Capital Improvement Match grant so by a new bus. These budget proposals will be considered by the council.

The council also covered some city budget items. A three percent increase to last year’s budget was factored in to the city’s preliminary budget proposals, due to input from department heads.

Jennifer Whitaker, Human Resources, said there would be “a couple of increases to my budget, probably the biggest one you’ll see in minor repairs, some major repairs to [city hall]” and some increases due to printing and advertising.

The budget from the Mayor’s office won’t be changing much. “Everything thing is looking pretty much the same as last year,” said Thallemer.

Clerk-Treasurer Lynne Christiansen figured her department’s budget would see an overall decrease of nine percent. The Cumulative Capital Improvement tab is expected to be the same as the previous year. Thallemer said the city council budget could see a negative increase.

Thallemer said there had been no activity in the rainy day fund since it was used for The Husky Trail project last year. The budget on the EDIT fund is expected to rise due to several major street projects.

“Not a whole lot on here,” Thallemer said of the River Boat Fund. Though he did say some of the money would be used for a bridge project on 300 North that was delayed for environmental reasons.

The council also discussed the 2014 General Obligation Fund. The fund was brought up at a special session of the Common Council last week.

Based on a proposal by Umbaugh and Associates in its Comprehensive Financial Plan, the city would continue the General Obligation Bond, which runs out in 2015, to generate funds for the street department.

“It’s a budgeting strategy,” said Thallemer. “It’s an unusual use of funds, but it helps us,” added councilman Charles Smith.

Ultimately no decision was made on the General Obligation Fund. The council will consider it further and make a decision later.