At the Mentone Town Council meeting on Wednesday, July 5, are from left: Town Council Member Tim Croy, Town Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak, Town Council President Jill Gross, Town Council Member Shelly Krueger and Town Attorney Andrew Grossnickle. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

MENTONE — Mentone has passed a water rate increase.

That was done at the Mentone Town Council’s meeting on Wednesday, July 5, following a public hearing at which no one spoke.

Mentone was advised to raise the rates as Baker Tilly financial advisors suggested it to help cover rising water infrastructure costs in town.

The new rates don’t go into effect until January 2024, with customers to see the upped charges on their February bills.

The rate on the first 7,000 gallons on metered rates per month of 1,000 gallons has gone up from $6.86 to $8.78, with prices increasing further from $5.61 to $7.18 for the next 11,000 gallons.

Church Event

The council also heard from Dylan Cottrill of the United Pentecostal Church of Bourbon.

The church is having an event on Saturday, Aug. 12, at Mentone’s Mentzer Park that anyone is welcome to come to.

It includes a prayer walk starting at 11 a.m., followed by free barbecue and games.

“We believe it’s important that fellow believers in Christ … gather together unified and put our religious differences and traditional differences aside … just to glorify the Name of Jesus,” said Cottrill.

In other business, the council:

• Approved purchasing a new mower from GreenMark Equipment at a quoted price of $7,500 due to also trading in an old mower for $6,000.
• Heard the process for the state’s regular audit of the town is almost complete. Mentone hasn’t gotten back its final notice from the state yet, but Town Attorney Andrew Grossnickle has received word there’s no legal issues for the town resulting from it.
• Heard that the town’s park, cemetery and zoning boards could be starting up again provided Grossnickle finds the town can do so. Those boards had previously shut down due to needing people to serve on them.
• Discussed creating a list of rules for people to follow if they or relatives have plots at the town’s cemetery. Leaders are to work on gathering information to make one.
• Heard from Town Marshal Jim Eads that Deputy Town Marshal Jacob Bill is receiving recognition from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute for making 20 driving while intoxicated arrests within a period of a year.

The council’s next meeting is 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, at Mentone Town Hall.