County Economic Development Director Daryl Smith presented EDC's budget for 2008 at Camden's July 10 council meeting. Officials approved the negotiated rate of $3.80 per resident for a total of $2,166.

Smith also requested the town consider pooling Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) monies in excess of .1% with Delphi, Flora and Burlington. The request is in anticipation of the county council raising the EDIT tax to .25% later this month.

Pooling funds is a way to provide the towns and city with more leverage for economic development projects, said Smith. If the EDIT is raised, the pooled money from the four municipalities would total $180,000 with Camden's share $9,651 (Delphi $109,389, Flora $52,494, and Burlington $8,610). Representatives from the city and towns would determine how to allocate the funds.

Wagoner said he would only be supportive if the pooled monies were used to extend SR 75 to the Hoosier Heartland Highway north of Camden and to develop shovel ready industrial sites there. That has already been identified as priorities in a EDC project list for the county.

"The whole center part of the county will benefit from the highway extension and industry developed in this part of the county," he said.

"We (Camden) support the concept," said Wagoner, "but our concern is the priorities. What will they be?"

"We're trying to be proactive," replied Smith. "If the EDIT increase is passed, I'll be back to hear your ideas. There are obvious questions with this concept. We want it to be beneficial for all."

Grants

Wagoner and clerk-treasurer Pat Casserly attended a recent reception at the State House for Community Focus Fund grant recipients. The town received a half million dollars for its wastewater project which is expected to bring the town into compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for discharge.

Wagoner announced that construction bids will be let after the council's Aug. 14 meeting with construction expected to begin Sept. 22 and completion by Jan. 15, 2009.

"We've been working for the past year and a half to get this thing moving," said Wagoner. "We hope we can get it done now this fall."

Work has been approved on 12 homes that qualified for the housing grants. The thirteenth property is going out to bid.

Wagoner said that interest has already been expressed to offer the program again next year.

Ordinances

Town attorney Anne Briggs was instructed to draft a dog and cat ordinance requiring fees and tags to present at the August meeting.

Council member Richard Fite suggested the town consider an ordinance for demolition of unsafe buildings.

"We have buildings that need something done to them," he said.

Briggs cautioned that this will be a difficult ordinance to draft asking what is the definition of an unsafe building? And who is going to make that determination?

Local business owner Bob Overman suggested that a committee of professionals - real estate agent, insurance agent and respected contractor - evaluate properties.

More discussion on whether or not to draft an unsafe building ordinance will be held at a later time.

Other business

Complaints have been received of excessive speed through town alleys.

The speed limit is 15 miles per hour, set by state statute, said Briggs.

The marshal will be ticketing speeders.

Several complaints have been made about horse droppings on town streets. The marshal will speak with horse riders about the town's nuisance ordinance.

Wagoner emphasized that members of the community with horse and buggies are not causing the problem.

Council members agree that they need to make an adjustment of rates for use of the Community Building. The matter continues under advisement.

Wagoner said that several adjustments were made, but that the town's budget for 2009 will not increase.

HR Unlimited was hired to update the town's employee manual and job descriptions.

Street closings were approved for the Lions Club Horse Pull on July 26, starting at 4 p.m., and Lions Club Tractor Pull on Aug. 15, starting at 5 p.m., and Aug. 16, starting at 11 a.m.

Jill Moudy will replace Gary Linn as the town's representative on he 4-H Exhibit Board. Linn's long-time service on the committee was recognized.

Revised figures from the recent scrap metal drive show that proceeds totaled $2,008.21.

Future meetings of the council will be held in the library's Reading Room.

Heating and cooling the community building is expensive, said Wagoner, and it should be more comfortable and afford better hearing in the Reading Room.

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 14 in the library's Reading Room.