Pictured from left are Winona Lake Police Chief Joe Hawn, Town Manager Craig Allebach and Town Council members Jim Lancaster, Austin Reynolds, Ashley McGinnis and Barry Andrew. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union.

By Jackie Gorski
Times-Union

WINONA LAKE — With two members abstaining, Winona Lake Town Council approved of having London Witte & Co. LLP, Indianapolis, conduct wastewater and trash rate studies for $10,000.

Town Manager Craig Allebach said the last study done for the town was in 2019. He said during the study, the accounting firm will look at if the utilities will have enough money to cover maintenance and capital projects, among other issues.

Council President Jim Lancaster asked if the town anticipates the town’s current rates are below fair market rates. Allebach said yes.

Allebach also said he would like to take care of the rate studies so they can have everything going as soon as possible.

Councilman Barry Andrew said since the town just got the contract Friday, he wanted to table the decision until he had more time to look it over. Councilman Jason Zaugg agreed with Andrew.

Councilwoman Ashley McGinnis said she was able to look over the contract and thought it was a top priority for the town.
McGinnis, Lancaster and Council Vice President Austin Reynolds voted to move forward with the rate studies while Andrew and Zaugg abstained.

Earlier in the meeting, the council approved an ice skating lessons agreement with Salway Skating Academy.

McGinnis said the Miller Sunset Pavilion Committee was looking at ways to bring people to the pavilion and was presented the contract for skating lessons.

Skating lessons are $17 per week with skate rental included and will be on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Session 1 of lessons will be Dec. 3, 10 and 17 and cost is $51 for all three weeks. Session 2 will go from Jan. 7 to Feb. 25 and totals $136 for the eight-week session.

Participants must be at least 6 years old.

Lancaster said there will be no cost to the town.

Andrew asked if the participants would pay the town. Allebach said participants would pay the town and then Salway Skating Academy would bill the town.

McGinnis said her understanding was the registrations to take skating lessons would go through the pavilion email at [email protected].

In other business, the council:

• Tabled a decision on a waiver/reduction of utilities for a resident with severe health issues who owes about $1,000 in wastewater utility payments. Members of the resident’s church made the request.

The issue was tabled after council members asked if the church could possibly reach out to service organizations to see if they could help in paying the bill on the resident’s behalf.

• Approved new billing, due and penalty dates for utility billing. Clerk-Treasurer Heather James said the clerk’s office wants to change the billing date to the third of the month, with the due date for residents to be the 25th of the month and late penalties to be accessed on the 26th of the month. James said it is her goal to have the change made effective at the beginning of 2025.

• Heard Santa’s mailbox for letters to Santa opened Friday and is outside Winona Lake Town Hall.

• Approved amending town code to say town manager instead of town coordinator throughout town code, in accordance to state code.

• Approved an inclement weather policy for the Miller Sunset Pavilion so employees know when they can close down the rink due to weather.

• Heard about Winona Happenings. On Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon, there is the winter market at Limitless Park. From noon to 9 p.m. Dec. 7, there is the K21 Community Free Skate at the ice rink. From 1 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 7, there is KringleFest at the Miller Sunset Pavilion. From 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 21, there is a winter market at Limitless Park.