Proposed budget is questioned by Delphi Council
By Debbie Lowe

Although presented for first reading at Monday night's city council meeting, Delphi's 2007 non-elected proposed salary ordinance stalled due to unanswered questions and concerns by some council members.

Randy Strasser and John Hampton expressed concerns about the proposed across-theboard two percent pay raise. Strasser said employees on the lower end of the pay scale would receive much less of a raise than those on the higher end.

"I'm just looking out for the little guy," he said.

Although he expressed the concern, Strasser said he didn't want to interfere with the passage of the ordinance.

Hampton echoed Strasser's sentiment, but took it a step farther.

"I don't think the city should be exempt from belt tightening," he said.

Noting there was a previous work session to discuss the proposed budget with department heads, Hampton said he expected to see all department heads cut their budgets by two percent.

"And I didn't see that," he said. "I don't feel like we've done enough to look at where we can cut costs."

Council members voted to table the vote and hold another work session to more fully explore the issue.

Clerk-treasurer Janice Roe said the state requires 2007 budgets be adopted by Sept. 30. The council will have to suspend rules and adopt it with three readings at the September meeting to meet that requirement.

Delphi Mayor Lee Hoard and council member Carol Dickman were unable to attend the meeting.

Other business

Council members adopted an amended animal ordinance, effective immediately. The ordinance outlines the responsibilities of pet owners who live or bring their pets inside city limits.

Part III K states that no person is allowed to bring an animal to a public place "within the business district of the City of Delphi during any festival or scheduled public gathering or event, except as necessary to obtain veterinary service for said animal." The exceptions include trained service animals or police animals.

Those wishing to view a copy of the amended ordinance can visit the Delphi Police Department on south Union Street or Delphi's Comet office at 114 Franklin Street.

City resident Shirley Heathcote requested exemption from paying for city wastewater services because her residence is not connected to the sewer. Heathcote said she paid for the service for more than 28 years before discovering she was actually connected to a septic system.

Council president Carolyn Pearson advised there is an ordinance that states anyone living within the city limits must pay for city services.

City attorney Miriam Robeson explained the cost of being connected to the sewer pays for more services than just wastewater disposal, such as city infrastructure. She said that is why there is a minimum charge for all services. She said all residents have a responsibility to support the city financially. Heathcote's request was denied.

Police Chief Ed Chapman recommended the council consider eliminating two parking spaces at the intersection of Washington and Main streets for safety reasons. One space would be taken from the southwest side of Washington Street and the other from the southeast side of Main Street. He said there have been numerous property damage accidents at the corner due to large semitrucks not navigating the turns successfully.

The matter was tabled for further study.

Chapman announced Chuck Kent was hired as a new police officer, Brandon Endicott left the force to work in Tippecanoe County, and Shannon Burnhart from the White County Sheriff 's Department has been hired as Endicott's replacement.

Delphi's Municipal Airport Manager Brian Stirm reported Rinehart Excavating was awarded the bid to install a culvert in a ditch at the south end of the runway and to seed the area. The cost for the work will be $196,250. Stirm said work would begin in September or October.

Dickman requested, in abstention, two work sessions to address the city's needs for the comprehensive land use plan soon to be developed.

Delphi Tri-Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bill Schock reported 21 fire runs in July. He said his staff "did a lot of fire prevention" during the month and continues to install fire safety signs at selected locations.

The next meeting will be a public budget hearing Aug. 14 at 7 p.m.