Huntingburg Council approves new broadcasting system, gas ordinance and hears utility updates

The Huntingburg Common Council gave the green light to purchase a new video system, aiming to boost the quality and accessibility of public meetings.

This decision comes as the council prepares to meet state regulations that will require all public meetings on financial matters to be televised starting July 1.

River Systems will provide the new setup, with a price tag of about $24,000 for the first year, covering installation and equipment. The annual cost will drop to $4,400 in subsequent years.

The upgrade includes better cameras, microphones, and iPads to control the system. Meetings will be streamed through a secure government Zoom platform.

Mayor Neil Elkins said, “We’re looking at using it for training sessions too, whether for the fire department or HR. We can record these sessions for future reference.”

The cost will be shared among various city departments that hold public meetings, including the Parks Board, Board of Public Works, and Planning and Zoning.

Councilman Jeff Bounds noted that, “People expect to be able to watch these meetings without coming in person nowadays. I think it’s a worthwhile investment.”

The council also approved the gas rate ordinance, the first in over a decade.

Under the ordinance, the residential base charge will increase to $12.50, up from the current $7.40. The volumetric charge will increase by 85 cents per MCF (thousand cubic feet) for all customers. 

Along with the gas rate increase, the council approved changes to utility reconnection fees for all utilities. The standard fee jumps from $25 to $50, while after-hours reconnection goes from $75 to $125.

A public hearing for the new reconnection rates ordinance was held at the beginning of the meeting, and no one from the public spoke.

In other business, the council gave the transit director the go-ahead to apply for annual transit funding.

The council also heard updates from the gas, water, and electric utilities about recent maintenance and upgrade projects.