Tippecanoe Township Board members, from left, Ed Clayton, Jim Smith, President Jim Rhodes, Trustee Chris Francis and Clerk Jen Cripe. InkFreeNews photo by Martha Stoelting

By David Hazledine
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Tippecanoe Township Board adopted its 2022 budget at a meeting held Wednesday, Oct. 13.

The total budget is $1,926,415 with an adopted tax levy of $1,359,272. The tax rate is 0.1683, up from .0086 in 2021. The increased tax rate was agreed upon as part of the creation of the special fire protection territory, and was approved by both the township and North Webster Town Council in March 2021.

The 2022 special fire territory general fund budget is $1,358,000 with a tax levy of $956,499. The special fire protection territory equipment replacement fund is $269,015.

Additional funds in the 2022 budget are: rainy day, $100,000; general, $178,550; township assistance, $16,050; recreation, $4,800.

The board also signed a rainy day fund reduction, which also facilitates the movement of unspent 2021 funds into 2022. The reduction follows an audit by Township Trustee Chris Francis.

The budget was passed 2-1, with Board President Jim Smith and Ed Clayton voting yes and Jim Rhodes voting no. Final passage was expected to happen on Oct. 19.

Other meeting agenda items are as follows:

During Chief Jeremy Likens’ fire report, the board learned a state grant for new radios was denied, leaving the fire territory — and most Kosciusko County emergency responders — with at least two more grant options, including Federal Emergency Management Agency and K21 Foundation. K21 is asking each department what they can contribute.

According to Likens, North Webster Fire Department needs at least $178,573 for new radios, roughly $60,000 of which is needed for fire department vehicles alone.

The county has also not yet completed all of its planned radio towers to accommodate the updated emergency response system, including one planned at the county highway garage, which has yet to be approved due to its proximity to Warsaw Municipal Airport’s traffic pattern. This could result in a three-month delay in starting the new radio system.

Likens noted any gear ordered at the moment will not arrive until the summer of 2022. Hose orders are six months out.

There will be a hiring process to fill the full-time EMT/medic position.

North Webster Fire Department will host its Halloween open house from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. The event will include a costume contest.

The fire department expects to soon have a license from the Drug Enforcement Agency allowing paramedics to handle narcotic medications.

Francis reported Oak Grove Cemetery’s fence cleaning is nearly complete. A Cub Scout den has volunteered to help finish the fence to earn community service hours.

Mickem Tree Service will be removing a tree on the south side of North Webster Cemetery.

Mock Cemetery signs and sign posts will be updated with a correction on one and a location change of another.

Plain Township will be installing severe weather sirens, and Tippecanoe Township may work with them on two sirens Francis said are beneficial to taxpayers.

All fluorescent lighting in the township building will be replaced by LED bulbs. A rebate will be completed to get credit for the new bulbs and removal of extra bulbs in each fixture.

A request was made to replace a flag light at North Webster and Mock cemeteries.

Francis said he will be learning about cemetery stone restoration from Beth and Stuart Smith.

Before adjourning, members held a discussion on appointees to the fire territory board. Francis will abstain due to a family conflict.