Syracuse Town Council members from left, Bill Musser, Larry Siegel, Cindy Kaiser and Nathan Scherer take a few moments to prepare before the start of the September Syracuse Town Council meeting. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

BY Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Town Council held a public hearing on the 2026 budget during its regular meeting Tuesday night, Sept. 16.

Councilman Larry Siegel pointed out every year the council receives a budget package recording the percentage of increases and decreases for each department and that package wasn’t provided this year. Virginia Cazier, clerk-treasurer, stated those documents are her own personal notes regarding the budget and she provided council with a copy of them in the July council packets.

Siegel pushed back saying adjustments must have been made since then. Cazier stated all adjustments were noted on Form I of the budget and again reminded Siegel what he was asking for were her personal notes.

Councilman Bill Musser asked David Wilkinson, town manager, about the significant increase in his budget. Wilkinson noted there are significant funds in the general fund. Siegel asked if an assistant was included. Wilkinson said no, the need for an assistant is reflected in his budget, but what was being discussed was different.

Wilkinson suggested funds in the general fund be allocated for capital projects.

Discussion then turned to the Huntington Street Water Project, which the town received a $700,000 Office of Rural and Community Affairs grant. The plan was to seek State Revolving Funds to pay for the rest of the project; however, the state has changed the goal posts by not making the funds available before late summer 2026.

The town can either pay for the project itself out of the general fund or push construction back a few months and use SRF. Wilkinson told the council it had to make a decision that night as ORCA needs to know what the town plans to do by the end of next week.

After reviewing the debts being carried by the water and sewer departments, Siegel pointed out if those were paid off the water department would be flush with cash.

Wilkinson noted the town has been approved for $5.5 million in SRF money for a project after the completion of the Huntington Street project. He explained if the town turns the funds down, there is a chance it would not be offered SRF money in the future.

After more discussion, Siegel asked how much the town should leave in the general fund. Wilkinson suggested $3 million moving the rest, into a capital projects/debt reduction fund

The council approved dedicating the SRF money to the ORCA grant match and allocating $6 million from the general fund to the capital projects/debt reduction fund.

Th budget estimate for 2026 is $9,196,246 with the maximum estimated funds to be raised being $3,00,819. The town’s current tax levy is $2,795,360.

The council approved appropriating $250,000 from the general fund-town manager to professional services.

The council approved a recommendation from the Area Plan Commission to rezone a property on Pickwick Drive from commercial to residential. Matt Sandy, area plan director, noted the property was in a transition area between commercial and residential and has been used as a residence for many years.

The council approved amending the town’s ordinance book; however, during discussion Siegel, stressing he supported the changes, stated he felt the suggested fines were not high enough to cover the town’s costs.

Siegel recommended adopting the amendments as presented and then going back through the ordinances “with a fine tooth comb” to review the fines.

The ordinance was approved subject to review.

Jeremy Hardy, Commonwealth Engineering, told the council right of entry letters have been sent to property owners regarding lead service line replacement on Huntington Street and surrounding side streets. This in preparation for the water project slated for next year.

In department reports, Wilkinson reported work on the south water tower is expected to start in about a week. The town budgeted $237,000; however, the contract bid was $129,000 with $40,000 for engineering. Repair work and the installation of an aircraft light will be done on the north water tower. Work on both water towers is expected to be within the $237,000 budgets.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported September and October are busy for the park department. The doors to the community center and its restrooms have been replaced.

Work progresses on the new pickleball courts at Schrock Field. They are expected to be complete by mid-October.

There will be a large softball tournament at Schrock Field along with a football game this weekend.

So far, four and possibly five softball tournaments are scheduled to be played at Schrock Field in 2026.

Upcoming events include Harvest Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4; Indoor garage sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 17; and the trick-or-treat trail from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 25.

Jonsson is also looking into installing a kayak ramp at Henry Ward Park.

Jonsson also reminded the council he is the council president’s representative on the St. Joseph River Basin Commission. The commission will need to know in the next few months if Jonsson will remain as the representative or if someone else will be appointed.

In the fire territory report, Councilman Bill Musser noted work on the training facility is coming along. Fire Chief Mickey Scott said the fire territory hoped to offer training to firefighters on the north side of the county. The department is also looking to partner with Wawasee School Corporation on a CTE program in firefighting. The new training facility would help with that by providing necessary space.

Nathan Scherer, council president, thanked Scott for his years of service. Scott will be retiring from the fire department at the end of the year.

In the clerk-treasurer report, Cazier informed the council she will be sending them some information about nonresident water users. Currently, they are paying a lower rate than in-town residents. She is suggesting outside users pay 10-15% more than residents.

The council approved a resolution returning funds to Nathan Scherer, Cindy Kaiser and Donald and Kathleen Robinson in light of the ruling made in the town’s favor regarding reimbursement of insurance premiums.