From left: Todd Slabaugh, president; Keith Claassen, vice-president; Kevin Smith, council member; Laura Baker, clerk/treasurer and Don Gruenemyer, Sawvel and Associates (Photo by Michelle Reed)

ETNA GREEN — On Feb. 9, Don Gruenemyer, of Sawvel and Associates, an engineering service firm from Findlay, Ohio, presented the Etna Green town council with the report for the 2015 electric rate study.

The study is for rate planning over a five year period from 2015 to 2019. The study included the town’s projected purchase power expenses, power cost adjustments, projected operation expenses for the study period (equaling 3 percent annual increase to all expenses, excluding power supply costs) and what the approximate amount for annual capital improvement expenditures are (approximately $20,000 included in rates).

According to Gruenemyer, the guidelines for the fund balance include 60 days of operating expenses (totaling $30,000); two years of capital improvement expenditures (totaling $60,000); and money set aside in an emergency fund (totaling $100,000). Gruenemyer told the council they have approximately $250,000 in the fund balance.

Gruenemyer recommended since electric poles are getting old, the town should gradually replace them. He suggested replacing 10 poles a year over a five year span.

The rate study approval has been tabled until the next town meeting.

In other news:

• Laura Baker, clerk/treasurer, reported the town has $80,000 for an electronic, two-sided sign for the town. Though she has called two businesses for a quote, she noted the town has yet to hear a response.
• The council approved a request from an Etna Green resident, Gary Baker, to spend $300 on flowers for Heritage Park in the spring.
• Baker is working on new procedures for payroll, per State Board of Accounts. Baker noted two individuals will now be in charge of processing payroll in order to maintain transparency and accountability.
• The council approved spending $350 to sponsor Triton Elementary School’s third annual field day.
• The council also approved $250 to sponsor the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay.
• Replacing a spring ride toy for the town’s park has been tabled until the next monthly meeting.

The town’s next meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8.