Centerville council braces for service cuts

Financial cuts to government services keep coming, and two Centerville leaders are learning just how hard they’ll hit the town in the next few years.

During council’s Oct. 28 work session, Council President Dan Wandersee called the presentations he and Town Manager Kevin Slick heard at the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities conference about property tax changes “very interesting.”

Wandersee said the biggest impacts will happen to the state’s smaller communities. Richmond will be the only Wayne County community exempt from some of the changes, because the rest fall under the 3,500 population threshold. Centerville, with approximately 2,800 residents, is the county’s largest town.

Those under 3,500 residents will have to “beg” for some funding from county government officials instead of receiving it automatically, Wandersee said.

Wandersee said he doesn’t understand what makes Centerville different than towns with 3,500 residents.

He also questions if towns have to make large cuts in services, whether the county will provide those services. Two examples he gave are fire department operations and the town’s park. Economic development funds also won’t come directly to the town in a few years.

Wandersee said homeowners insurance costs will rise if fire service diminishes, and councilor Jack Bodiker said cuts could be a life-and-death matter if fire, police and even utility services are affected.

“People don’t realize it’s going to impact them heavier than if they’d left things alone,” Wandersee said of the expected property tax cuts.

He said a lot of quality-of-life amenities that drew him to Centerville might go away with severe cuts, and he predicts that some of the county’s smaller communities will have to unincorporate.

Wandersee said town officials need to discuss their concerns with state lawmakers in hopes of getting some of the plans changed before they’re implemented.

After hearing Wandersee’s report, councilor David Cate said, “It’s going to get worse before it gets worse.”

Traffic

Council advanced an ordinance to second reading at its next meeting. It would ban attended or unattended parking of any type of vehicle, ranging from motorcycles to motor vehicles, tractor trailers and buses, on either side of Water Street between Spruce and Ash streets. The ordinance says Town Manager Kevin Slick found traffic congestion and hazards. The motion passed 4-0; councilor Josh Tudor was absent.

Electricity

Slick said the town’s 4K electric conversion will begin in the next week or two. Scattered outages will take place throughout the project, and the final hookup will require a lengthier outage. Slick said plenty of notification will be given to affected areas, and the project’s schedule depends on weather.

In other business

• Council approved an interlocal agreement to accept Wayne County’s offer to donate radios for Centerville Fire/Rescue after attorney Ed Martin reviewed it. The town is responsible for maintenance/upkeep.
• Council accepted Gillman Commercial Real Estate LLC’s $1,000 payment for the sanitary easement to serve Gillman Home Center at 7138 U.S. 40 E. No other offers were received.
• Council moved its monthly meeting to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, to avoid a Veterans Day conflict. The meeting at town hall, 220 E. Main St., is open to the public.
• Council agreed to allow street closures for the Pat Bowers Turkey Chase fundraiser at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. The race benefits Centerville Senior High School activities.
• Centerville Fire/Rescue Auxiliary will offer its chicken noodle dinner for a donation from 4-7 p.m. Nov. 15 at Station 1, 414 S. Morton Ave., while supplies last. Meals can be eaten on site or carried out. Delivery within Centerville/Center Township is available by calling 765-855-3889.
• CF/R Chief Andy Aughe suggested allowing PA Fire Recovery Service from Pennsylvania to bill for CF/R services after U.S. 40 and Interstate 70 accidents or vehicle fires. The company, started by firefighters, charges 15% of what’s recovered and has a higher success rate than CF/R’s volunteers in recouping costs. Webster’s fire department is PA’s first Indiana client and is pleased with results. Council will review documents.