Delphi supports P&R with tax abatement
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Hampton says "Thanks" Delphi City Council member John Hampton, left, thanked city leaders for the support given to him and his family during his deployment with the Marine Corp. Reserves. Maj. Scott Willis, right, was on hand to present the National ESGR award to city officials, including Mayor Lee Hoard, center. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe

Peters-Revington representative Ron Chapman admitted to the Delphi City Council at the Monday evening meeting that 2006 was not the best year the company has had. He said the company's predictions of improved sales and increased work force for 2006 were not correct and 100 employees were lost last year.

However there have been 62 new hires since December and between 55 and 60 percent of all P&R Delphi employees are Carroll County residents.

"I think we have the expertise to compete in the market," Chapman told council members as he requested a $485,000 tax abatement this year.

Mayor Lee Hoard encouraged the council to support the local business and grant the abatement. Council president Carolyn Pearson moved to approve the measure, William Miller provided the second. The motion was adopted unanimously.

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The city was awarded the Employee Support of Guards and Reserves Award by Maj. Scott Willis of the Marine Corp. Reserves. The recognition was in response to council's willingness to compensate John Hampton while he was away on active duty during the past two years.

The honor was bestowed by the National Department of Defense. Willis said Delphi was "way ahead of other cities in Indiana" in providing continued salary while employees are deployed.

Willis, who has known "Gunny Hampton" for approximately six years, presented the award to city representative Hoard.

A two-year Economic Development Income Tax/Capital Improvement Plan was adopted.

EDIT funds will "…underwrite costs that the Delphi City Council expressly defines as pertinent to economic development for the city of Delphi…and provide improvements and renovation to the infrastructure of the city…"

Randy Strasser noted although the wording in the plan was vague, all expenditures from the fund would need council approval.

Wabash & Erie Canal Conference & Interpretive Center representative Dan McCain requested the city hire a part-time museum employee in 2008. He said there have been 24,000 documented visitors to the museum in the last four years and keeping the museum open throughout the week is desired. McCain reported funders were encouraging the museum to staff the facility.

"The Wabash and Erie Canal was the granddaddy of all canals in the nation," McCain said. "I'm really proud of where we are."

"Delphi's future has a lot to do with its past," Hoard said acknowledging the need for the position.

The matter was put aside for future discussion.

Hampton moved to create a code enforcement official position in 2008. He said concerns were raised at the past two "Pitch In" meetings about the lack of enforcement of fire, building and electrical codes in the city.

"I think it's needed," Hoard said. "It's been needed for a long time."

Hampton's proposal was to create the position, but not fund it immediately, to provide time to perhaps work in conjunction with Carroll County Commissioners about making the position county-wide and sharing the cost.

"I'm not ready to do that," Pearson said. "I'd like a little more input about it."

Hampton explained he was "trying to overcome the inertia and get the project started" by making the motion. However, the motion died for lack of a second.

Miller moved to consider the creation of the position in July as budget talks near. Hampton provided the second. The motion passed unanimously.

Carroll County Economic Development Director Daryl Smith provided a synopsis of the recent activities of EDC.

"I want to establish a tradition of sharing information with you," Smith told council members.

He advised that businesses would locate on a "path of least resistance" and discussed plans for a business incubator to be located in or near one of the two existing commerce parks in the county.

Adoption of an updated Delphi Tree Ordinance was tabled to give department heads an opportunity to review the document and provide input.

The next meeting will be July 2 at 7 p.m.