Even as Wayne County residents receive checks, FEMA representatives continue operating in the county. LaSharda Leasy, an intergovernmental affairs specialist, and her successor, Larry Behill, visited Wayne County’s commissioners during their Oct. 7 meeting. Leasy is rotating out of the assignment, and Behill is arriving for at least a 30-day stint. Leasy, who has visited […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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RP&L still waits for $30M project’s state approval
Three years after requesting a state permit, Richmond Power and Light continues waiting for approval of its coal combustion residual safety plan. General Manager Tony Foster updated the RP&L board, which is comprised of Richmond Common Council members, on the program’s status during the board’s Oct. 5 meeting. The Environmental Protection Agency adopted in 2014 […]
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Consultant: Funding available to cover 2027 budget
A financial consultant confirmed for Wayne County Council that enough money will be available to fund the 2027 general fund budget. Ben Roeger of C.L. Coonrod & Assoc. increased his estimate for the county’s 2027 revenue to $35.761 million, a boost of about $250,000 from the figure presented Sept. 29. He also expects about $9 […]
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City’s 2027 budget dips into cash
Richmond expects to spend more than $300,000 from its general fund’s cash reserves during 2027. Next year’s budget, which includes $26,885,485 in general fund expenditures and $69,314,140 across all 28 funds that must be submitted to Indiana’s Department of Local Government Finance, was presented to Richmond Common Council during its Oct. 5 meeting. The general […]
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County plans employee pay raises
Employee pay raises and stipends would cost nearly $800,000 next year if Wayne County Council formally approves its working plan. Council discussed employee compensation during a Sept. 29 special meeting focused on the 2027 budget. Council advertised a $45,399,438 general fund budget that included a $1.25 million placeholder for pay increases. A public hearing on […]
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4 providers submit county ambulance proposals
Reid Health has three challengers to provide Wayne County with ambulance service. Wayne County’s commissioners opened proposals from the four providers during their Sept. 30 meeting. In addition to Reid, Heartland Ambulance Service, Seals Ambulance and AmeriPro Health submitted proposals. No proposal details were made available. A county committee will evaluate the proposals and make […]
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Downtown apartment revitalization requires BZA action
The Legacy on Main downtown renovation project requires special permissions before it creates 100 apartments and 30,000 square feet of retail space in six East Main Street buildings. Brownsburg-based AP Development has petitioned the Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals for variances of development standards to permit units less than 700 square feet at each building […]
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7-Eleven annexation moves to city council
Richmond will grow by about 8 acres if the city’s council approves an ordinance annexing a 7-Eleven-branded gas station and convenience store. During its Sept. 23 meeting, the Richmond Advisory Plan Commission recommended 9-0 that Richmond Common Council approve the voluntary annexation of 8.36 acres at 2243 U.S. 35. Council will make the final decision. […]
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Smith Hill receives $7.5M forgivable loan
Richmond will provide $7.5 million for the Smith Hill planned unit development’s infrastructure. During its Sept. 21 meeting, Richmond Common Council voted 7-2 to provide $7,560,000 as a forgivable loan to HWC Development. Larry Parker and Lucinda Wright voted against the loan, which includes $4,330,000 from state Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative money and […]
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3 companies compete for demo work
Three companies submitted bids to perform demolition work at 400 S. 12th St. The Richmond Board of Public Works and Safety opened the bids Sept. 24 and voted to refer them to purchasing for evaluation and a recommendation. B&B Construction of Richmond bid $22,500, Cox Excavating of Richmond bid $33,500 and Mikesell Excavating of New […]