Following his report on Flora's water rate study, John Julian, an accountant with Umbaugh & Associates, said the town has more than enough justification to raise rates.

The last water rate increase was in December 2002.

Julian said the study indicates that the town is not making strides in building up cash reserves for future capital improvements to the water system. He suggested a five-year capital improvement plan be established. A rate adjustment would be influenced by that plan.

Julian suggested a minimum increase of $2.43 (10%) per 5,000 gallons of water (an average bill). Presently that cost is $25.57.

Once a decision is made to raise the rate, Julian said it would be another 45 to 60 days before the new rate would become effective.

EDIT

Town officials agreed in principle to a proposal by the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation in the event that the county's Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) rate is increased from the current base level of .1%. The proposal suggests that the towns of Flora, Burlington and Camden and the City of Delphi place all monies above .1% in a special pool of funds to be used for larger infrastructure or similar projects involving the three towns and the city. Allocation of the funds would be determined annually by representatives of each municipality.

Currently, at the .1% rate, Flora receives $34,996 in EDIT funds. If the county council passes a proposed increase to .25%, Flora's share would be $87,490. The pooled amount would be $52,494.

CCEDC Director Daryl Smith asked town leaders for guidance to make it work.

Town officials also approved the 2008 EDC budget request of $8,216 which is based on the negotiated rate of $3.80 per person.

Sewer compliance plan

Tim Balensiefer, president of TBIRD Design Services, Lafayette, gave an update on the sewer compliance plan progress.

Balensiefer explained that after several meetings with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), the plan was approved on first submittal. A progress report to IDEM is due July 31.

"Realistically, the problems (infiltration) are not as bad as IDEM originally thought," he said.

A plus is the town meets its quality standards for its discharge.

TBIRD Construction Manager Keith O'Brien said that capacity of the sewage treatment plant is sufficient for the town.

"We just need to find out where the bad areas are," O'Brien said.

Balensiefer said that expenditures for the project were more than originally anticipated and requested additional funding. Town officials approved up to $20,000 for the project.

Communications tower

Town officials rescinded their vote from last month and will now allow ERS Telecom Properties, Granger, to construct a tower on town owned property on East Elizabeth Street. Council member David Albaugh, who has been working with the company's representative, Steve Woody, vice president of site development, explained that ERS changed its original proposal to include a monthly payment to the town. The town will also receive three spots on the 800- mhz. communications tower.

Woody had explained at the May 9 council meeting that ERS is looking at erecting towers in "dead areas" around the state. Flora and the eastern part of Carroll County are included in these "dead areas" that have poor cellular reception.

It was determined that the ground is not suitable to build on and there are already trees on the property to act as a buffer. More trees could be planted if necessary.

Woody said the plan is to have the tower up and operational by the end of the year.

Council members said they had received very little comment from the public about placing the tower in town. The only concerns expressed were over decreased property values. Woody said he had copies of studies that would dispel the concerns.

Other business

Other business

Rules were suspended and Ordinance 2008-2 was passed on third reading setting parking regulations during the county 4-H fair, July 12-18. The ordinance established temporary handicapped parking on East Main Street near the basketball courts at the park.

A two-year airport use agreement with Air Indiana was signed. After checking with the town's insurance company, Air Indiana was given permission to park a few RVs at the airport on weekends. The only stipulation was that it not turn into a campground.

Town Marshal Paul Redmon presented his department's report for June which included 6 arrests/misdemeanors, 14 citations, 2 parking violations, 19 warnings, 130 calls for service, and 5 crash reports.

Council President Josh Ayres asked Redmon if animal control is becoming an issue.

Redmon replied yes.

"We can't hold them," he said. "There is just nowhere to keep them."

Redmon said his department will be assisting other police agencies with security during the 4-H Fair.

Rules were suspended and Ordinance 2008-2 was passed on third reading setting parking regulations during the county 4-H fair, July 12-18. The ordinance established temporary handicapped parking on East Main Street near the basketball courts at the park.

Utilities Superintendent Chuck Everett requested permission to have the dump area behind the old school surveyed for fencing.

Building permits issued in June were to: John Smith, porch and roof; Michael Hill, sidewalk; and Michael and Nancy Zink, concrete patio and driveway.

No decision was made on putting a mat overlay on Monroe Street.

Household hazardous waste will be collected from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 26 at Flora Community Park.

Everett will attend the Street Commissioners Association annual convention Aug. 26-28 in Angola.

The next council meeting will be Aug. 11 at 6 p.m.