Pictured, from left, are Claypool Town Council Members Gene Warner and Don Miller. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Adkins.

By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

CLAYPOOL — The Claypool Town Council approved a transfer of $40,000 from the water utility sale fund to the town’s general fund during a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Clerk-Treasurer Pat Warner said the town was over $40,000 short in property tax revenue for 2024. Baker Tilly recommended the town transfer monies from the water utility sale to the general fund.

“Our taxes in December 2023 were around $69,000,” said Warner. “If you look at December 2024, we only received $27,000. We’re about 75 to 78% down from what we should have received.”

Warner gave the council three different amounts as options for the transfer, but recommended council approve a $40,000 transfer.

“Our spring (revenues) were good,” said Warner. “But this one, it’s really unusual. That’s the first time I’ve ever really seen it that short. That’s a good chunk of money.”

In other business, Council Member Don Miller said a couple of Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation representatives recently completed a tour of Claypool. He said KEDCO is looking at town redevelopment.

“There’s a number of vacant properties, as well as vacant houses and bare lots,” said Miller. “We’d like to, in the process of moving forward with housing, look at what can be done to promote that.”

Miller said some vacant lots within town have become dumping sites and that there are parties interested in building homes on those lots.

He emphasized the importance of clean-up throughout the town in order for developers to come in and build residences.

Town Marshal Trevor Long told the council he sent about 10 to 12 letters to residents last week about ordinances. One noted issue was a residence in town allegedly being used as an auto dealership.

Town Attorney Rama Sobhani said Claypool has an abandoned vehicle statute that appears to mirror the state’s statute.

Council asked Long and Sobhani to collaborate on addressing issues with multiple vehicles at residences.

The council also approved having a TIF meeting on purchasing DVRs for Claypool Police Department on Feb. 26.

Council’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 18.