Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe, standing, speaks to the Silver Lake Town Council. From left are town attorney Austin Rovenstine, council member Jean Weller and council member Nichole Taylor. InkFreeNews photo by Patrick Webb.

By Patrick Webb
InkFreeNews

SILVER LAKE — The Silver Lake Town Council heard two presentations at their Wednesday, March 13 meeting.

Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe introduced herself to the board and shared about her role. Roe explained her role was created to help improve engagement with smaller communities in Kosciusko County.

Roe shared some projects she’s currently working on, including encouraging high school students to pursue entrepreneurship and a food insecurity coalition. She encouraged Silver Lake to participate in the coalition if interested. Roe also offered her services as “for hire” until 2026, to help make towns connections for resources and to assistance with grants.

The town council also heard a report from Baker Tilly Partner Eric Walsh on Silver Lake’s sewage and water utility cash flows and rates. Walsh presented a report to the town council and presented a proposed capital plan. Walsh reported that Silver Lake needs to consider raising its rates for sewage and water to cover operating costs and capital improvements.

Proposed capital improvements includes repairing driveways, pumps that move sewage uphill and adding rocks around sewer ponds.

Currently, the average charge is $87 a month for a household of three, Walsh said, based on Indiana’s average use of 4,000 gallons per customer. Walsh proposed that Silver Lake may need to raise the rates $28-30 in phases, such as two $12 a month increases and a $6 increase.

“This’ not a plan that’s going to bank a bunch of cash,” Walsh said. “If you’re going to do these capital works, you’re really just treading water on your cash balances.”

Walsh encouraged the council to go over the proposal with their utility department. Walsh said the council will have to propose a rate ordinance and host a public meeting, with a public notice 10 days in advance, before an increase can be made.

In other business, the council:

• Approved Ordinance 03-01-24, Unsafe Building Amendment. The ordinance empowers Marshall Jason McGlennen to enforce ordinances.
• Discussed and tabled a noise ordinance for the next meeting.
• Tabled two bids from Borden and and Stafford for trash pick up.
• Heard a report from Silver Lake Fire Chief John Conley on the Silver Lake Fire Department and approved a contract for a sign to be altered for the Fire Department.
• Discussed a Thursday, March 7 house fire. Multiple ordinance violation fines were placed against the property before the fire have not been paid. The ownership and responsibility of the house is currently in question due to a land contract.
• Proposed names for a new park and chose names to be selected via social media based on popularity.

The next council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, at the Silver Lake Town Hall.

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