At the Mentone Town Council’s meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 6, at Mentone Town Hall are from left: Council Member Tim Croy, Clerk-Treasurer Nicki Norris, Council President Jill Gross, Council Member Shelly Krueger and Town Attorney Andrew Grossnickle. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

MENTONE — Mentone plans to have $848,839 in its budget for 2022.

That compares to $797,673 for its 2021 budget. The town plans to adopt the budget at a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at Mentone Town Hall.

The budget breaks down to $10,000 in the casino/riverboat fund; $555,039 in its general fund; $17,200 in the local road and street fund; $91,900 in the motor vehicle highway fund; $17,200 in the cemetery fund; $2,500 in the cumulative capital improvement fund; $20,000 in the cumulative capital development fund; and $135,000 in the economic development fund.

Related, the council also discussed the salary ordinance for 2022 at its regular meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 6, at Mentone Town Hall.

Council Member Tim Croy proposed that Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd and Assistant Superintendent Corbin Hudson receive $500 more apiece due to their completing additional training related to their jobs. After discussion, the council agreed to increase their pay by those amounts.

That puts Shepherd making $53,957 and Hudson $43,266 for 2022. Other salaries include: Clerk-Treasurer Nicki Norris at $39,230; Marshal Jim Eads at $54,516; Deputy Marshal Sam Bohnke at $42,766; Council President Jill Gross at $2,600; and Council Members Croy and Shelly Krueger at $2,100 each.

Part-time employees are to make $7.25 to $12 per hour and full-time employees are to make $8 to $15 per hour. The cemetery sexton is to make $4,000 and the building inspector $1,500.

Sewer Project

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the council approved G&G Hauling & Excavating of Warsaw as the contractor for a storm sewer project in town.

That was at the suggestion of Town Engineer James Emans. Bids for the project were previously opened at the council’s regular meeting in September.

The project is to replace a two-foot diameter pipe for a sewer located in the alley between Franklin and Walnut Streets.

G&G’s quote for the project is $92,606.90. It actually was the second lowest bidder for the project.

However, as Emans pointed out at September’s council meeting and again Wednesday, the lowest bidder, Steve’s Hauling, Excavating & Snow Removal of Warsaw, didn’t give all the information the town needed. Thus G&G was chosen.

In other business, the council:

• Heard from Croy that the town’s trick-or-treat hours are set for 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. The costume contest judging will be at Mentone Elementary School at 7:30 p.m.
• Approved a quote brought by Hudson for a gate at the wastewater plant. That was from Custom Fencing for $2,870. Also submitting a quote was Eaton Fencing for $3,138.09.
• Heard from Hudson that sidewalks have been torn out at Tucker and Jackson Streets in preparation for them being replaced.
• Heard from Croy that he spoke with Tippecanoe Valley High School Principal Brandon Kresca. The TVHS freshmen are to do a day of service soon in both Mentone and Akron.
• Heard from Gross that 11 people attended a meeting to give input on how to use a $200,000 grant from the K21 Health Foundation. Grant funds are to be used for wellness, and Gross said most people at the meeting suggested improving the town’s parks system. The town will probably have another input meeting in the future.
• Heard from Krueger that the town’s farmers market is officially done for the year though some Amish families might still sell some items. “So it was another great season and we thank the community for supporting the farmers market,” she said.
• Approved a quote brought by Hudson for a trailer vacuum. That was from Ditch Witch Midwest for $97,787. Other quotes came from Best Equipment for $107,975 and Vermeer Midwest for $113,074.

The council’s next regular meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, at Mentone Town Hall.