Richmond plans to use more than a million dollars in redevelopment, opioid settlement and American Rescue Plan Act dollars to fund its 2024 budget. On Aug. 28 and 29, Richmond Common Council members received proposed budget reports from Mayor Dave Snow, Controller Emily Palmer and the city’s department heads. Snow said the budget proposal is […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Livestock auction returns to BZA
A livestock auction facility in Wayne County made sense, but a Helm Road location adjacent to The Barn at Helm flower farm and event space drew opposition. Comments to the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals often followed that line of thinking: The idea would benefit county farmers, but that location didn’t work. The BZA on […]
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Richmond council OKs development changes
Richmond Common Council approved a comprehensive update to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance. Council members unanimously voted Aug. 21 to support two changes proposed by the Richmond Advisory Plan Commission, then to adopt the 57-amendment ordinance. The plan commission had voted 7-0 recommending council accept the updates to the 2010 UDO. Former city planner and […]
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Taxing entities must file budget reports, meeting dates
Wayne County citizens have an opportunity to address how their tax money is spent locally. The county’s taxing districts must advertise their proposed 2024 budgets, public hearings and budget adoption plans on the state’s Department of Local Government Finance website. Visit https://budgetnotices.in.gov/unit_lookup.aspx?ct=89000 to find budget information submitted by county government, the city of Richmond, plus […]
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County council puts requests for new positions on hold
Auditor Mark Hoelscher withdrew his request for a new full-time employee to track grants. Hoelscher made the move at the end of Wayne County Council’s Aug. 16 workshop after council members delayed making a decision on his request. Council considered that and two other requests because they had received classification and wage information from their […]
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Farm Bureau to provide fairgrounds with gazebo
The Wayne County Fairgrounds will soon feature a gazebo. Wayne County Farm Bureau will purchase for about $35,000 and donate a 16-foot-by-32-foot gazebo for the fairgrounds. Commissioners voted 3-0 during their Aug. 16 meeting to grant Farm Bureau naming rights to the livestock show arena for five years in return for the donation. Farm Bureau […]
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New health funds get 1st OK
Health First Indiana funding will not immediately improve Wayne County residents’ health. Instead, accepting more state money will signal the beginning of ramped-up efforts to make Wayne County healthier and help residents live longer. The county ranks 90th of Indiana’s 92 counties in life expectancy. Wayne County Council members Aug. 16 unanimously approved the Wayne […]
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Solar grows as Richmond electricity source
On some sunny day late next year, area solar panels will generate more than one-third of the electricity used in Richmond. By then, eight solar parks will supply power to Richmond Power & Light’s system for consumption by RP&L customers. RP&L General Manager Tony Foster updated the RP&L board about local solar energy during the […]
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Commissioners consider public health funding opportunity
Wayne County’s commissioners will decide if the county should accept millions of dollars designated toward improving the area’s poor public health ranking. A few local residents are asking them to say ‘no.’ Indiana’s legislature this year committed $225 million in additional health funding for 2024 and 2025. Counties must opt in by Sept. 1. Wayne […]
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2023 opioid settlement payments grow 478%
For the second consecutive year, Wayne County government will receive more than $400,000 in opioid settlement money in 2023. Since the county received about $411,000 last December in the first settlement installment, new settlements have been reached to hold companies accountable for their roles in the opioid addiction crisis. The Indiana Attorney General now estimates […]