At the Mentone Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 1, Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. CEO Alan Tio, right, speaks to, from left: Council Member Tim Croy, Town Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak, Council President Jill Gross, Council Member Shelly Krueger and Town Attorney Andrew Grossnickle. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

MENTONE — Mentone has signed a contract with the Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. for the first time ever.

At its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 1, the Mentone Town Council agreed to pay KEDCO $5,000 for a year in exchange for the entity helping the town with economic development.

KEDCO CEO Alan Tio said that fee was based on the town’s population. The council will communicate with KEDCO about what projects it wants the entity to help with.

Rate Study

The council also heard from Baker Tilly CPA Ross Hagen.

He presented the findings of a water rate study the company did for the town. That was conducted due to the Indiana General Assembly recently repealing a fee on utility billing.

However, the town is also considering changing the amount it charges customers for water to help pay for related infrastructure improvements in town.

Under a scenario Hagen suggested, rates would be raised so that a four-person family with a monthly usage of 4,000 gallons would see their bills jump from $27.44 to $35.12.

The council didn’t make a decision on a rate change Wednesday, with the public to get a chance to weigh in before any adjustments would occur.

In other business, the council:

• Heard once again from resident Hannah Beliles regarding allowing chickens within town limits. She started a petition at www.change.org to garner support for the move. No decision on the measure was made Wednesday.
• Heard from Leisa Norman. She’s trying to sell her parents’ home in town and is having difficulty because potential buyers have pointed out the trash and clutter in the yard of the home next door. Town Attorney Andrew Grossnickle will look at the town’s related ordinance and work toward getting the home in question’s residents to clean up.
• Heard from Jim Moyer, who works for the Kosciusko County Surveyor’s Office. He offered to have the office help the town clean up trees at Mentzer Park. There would be no charge. The town will make a decision by next month’s meeting.
• Approved Town Marshal Jim Eads trading in pistols and ammunition.

The council’s next regular meeting is 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, at Mentone Town Hall.