Birdseye Town Council: Where does all the money go?

By all accounts, it should have been a brief meeting.

The Birdseye Town Council re-elected Jerry Alstott as council president, appointed Councilman Clyde Huff as Birdseye’s representative for Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission and Councilwoman Kelly Wiseman as the representative to Dubois Strong. Meetings will continue to be held the first Thursday of each month, but at 6:30 p.m., a half-hour earlier than last year.

That finished the council’s reorganization.

Utility Superintendent Glenn Bayer, on medical leave, is not bonded. Krapf-Bartley, the town’s insurance provider, expressed concern. It was read into the minutes that Bayer has no access to any town or utility funds, making bonding unnecessary.

The council also voted to pursue Phase I of water and wastewater utility improvements suggested by a recent planning study. Clerk-Treasurer Brittany Schepers will contact Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission to assist the town in seeking grant funding.

Town Marshal Benton Stroud informed the council that Birdseye had been approached by Child Services to serve as a “Child Safe Zone.” Stroud will gather more info. Stay tuned.

After a few more routine reports, Alstott asked if anyone would like to say something before the meeting adjourned.

Did they ever.

Firefighter Roy Partenheimer asked why the fire department and park department could not get a bigger share of the town budget when there was money for employee raises.

Both departments must rely on fundraisers to meet expenses. He also questioned the need for both a clerk-treasurer and a utility clerk.

Alstott attempted to explain that utility clerk Donna King’s salary is paid by the utility department, whose funds are separate from the town’s general fund.

That fell on deaf ears.

Park Department President Janet Partenheimer then announced that the park department will no longer use fundraising money for park maintenance — only improvements.

Wiseman pleaded for understanding. “There must be give and take here.” The town budgeted an additional $1,500 for the park department this year.

The town budgeted an additional $1,500 for the park department this year.

Citizen Bob Morrow spoke up. He had researched the town’s finances, he said, and the state laws that regulate how much it will be and how much can be spent.

“The town operates on, at the most, $69,000 a year,” he remarked. “It all depends on the assessed value.”

According to utility clerk and former clerk-treasurer Donna King, it will be more like $67,000 in 2016.

“I wish we had a good answer for you,” Alstott sighed.