A budget fix for Delphi
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

The Indiana Department of Local Government Finance did not approve the City of Delphi's 2007 budget due to a technicality. That left the city with virtually no money in any budget line item for the year so far.

The Delphi City Council rectified the situation at its Monday night meeting by approving an additional appropriation equal to the 2007 budget, which was recently advertised.

The approval problem stemmed because the actual adoption date was different, by only a few days, from the date advertised for adoption. Council members struggled to reach enough of an agreement to adopt the budget initially and some of the same issues were raised again.

Neither John Hampton or Carol Dickman voted in favor of the original budget in September. However it was passed by a three-to-two vote. Hampton explained Monday night the issues, which kept him from first approving the budget, continued to exist and he was not inclined to change his vote this time.

"Those things have not gone away," he said.

Hampton said he wanted to see an updated personnel policy manual from the mayor. Additionally, he wanted fiveto ten-year budget projections for maintenance and spending from department heads. Dickman concurred.

The voting changed significantly from the first adoption meeting because William Miller was absent Monday night. His absence meant the vote would be tied and the budget would not be adopted.

City attorney Miriam Robeson advised both Hampton and Dickman could vote to approve the additional with reservations noted, which they did. The rules were suspended so the measure could proceed and be formally adopted on the second reading.

Police Department

The police department experienced an increase in the number of traffic summons issued, warnings issued, felony and misdemeanor arrests, accidents investigated, parking tickets issued and warrants served in April than the same time period in 2006, and more than in March. Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Due to questions raised by Robeson, the contract with Ground Rules Inc., the firm chosen to develop a land use plan, was not signed as planned. Clarification was solicited from the firm. It was decided the contract would be signed at the board of works meeting in two weeks, provided adequate information from the firm was received.

Other business

Property at 309 E. Main St. was re-zoned from central business to residential.

The Delphi Airport Board of Aviation sent a letter of intent to apply to the FAA for $775,000 discretionary money. FAA officials solicited the letter. The money would be used to reconstruct the existing runway prior to a runway expansion.

The next city council meeting will be June 4 at 7 p.m. The next board of works meeting will be May 23 at 5:30 p.m.