What the state legislators might do about turning the recommendations contained in the Kernan-Shepard report into law has put a scare into township trustees. Their fears are about the future of the trustee offices and the tax money collected from property owners in the township. One area of concern to them is area fire departments.

Delphi Mayor Randy Strasser is also concerned about what might happen to township money for the fire department. Delphi is a partner in the Delphi Tri-Township Volunteer Fire Department

"Legislators are moving toward eliminating township trustees by the end of 2010," Strasser told Delphi City Council members at a Monday night meeting. "This is what's going to happen."

Strasser announced a workshop would be held Thursday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. at the city building. It is designed specifically to educate council members, township trustees and advisory board members about the issue. He said a firefighter from Tippecanoe County will introduce a power-point presentation about how to develop a fire department district or territory with an advisory board, to be ready for a change in county government.

Strasser reported a fire district or territory would need to be organized by March 1.

"Timing is of the essence on this project," Strasser said. "This will give us the ability to move forward."

Dennis Randle was introduced as the new fire chief. He said a pump truck and other department equipment were repaired from breakdowns incurred while fighting the cob fire at The Andersons recently. He said roughly 12 to 14 million gallons of water were pumped to battle the blaze.

"We are real proud of all the guys who were out there the whole week," he said.

Representatives from The Andersons formally thanked the city and the fire department for the effort to suppress the fire.

"It made us appreciate the community," The Andersons representative Dale Theis said. "It was a tremendous effort. We certainly learned a lot about our own capabilities and what things we could change."

Theis noted the 14,000 man-hours employed to fight the fire. He offered the use of The Andersons tanker truck to the community as aid when needed to fight other fires.

"You are down on our list already," Randle said.

Other business

Resolution 2009-01 was adopted to transfer $20,000 unused appropriations into the Rainy Day Fund. Clerk-treasurer Janice Roe told council members she determined the amount to transfer.

Roe said Tuesday that $217,363.83 remained in the general fund as of Dec. 31. She said the Rainy Day Fund held $51,774.77 before the $20,000 transfer. Roe advised the law allowed the council to transfer 10 percent of the total budget into the Rainy Day Fund annually.

Carroll County Economic Development Executive Director Daryl Smith presented a summary of 2008 EDC activities. He said EDC consulted with Carroll County Redevelopment Commission attorney Barry Emerson about establishing a tax increment financing district at the site of Gray's Turkey Farm. He said EDC purchased an option on the property and is marketing it as "shovel ready."

Main Street president Hank Ivey presented the organization's 2009 budget. He said the goal was for the group to become self-supporting.

City court reported hearing 236 cases in 2008. Three cases were dismissed, 25 were transferred to Carroll Superior Court, 196 were convicted and paid fines and court costs, six were juvenile tobacco cases, 12 were marriage ceremonies and 12 transferred to the Indiana Department of Motor Vehicles. The court collected $17,666 for the year.

Delphi Police Chief Justin Darling reported computer issues prevented a comprehensive activity report to be completed for January. The report he provided indicated the number of misdemeanor reports, accidents investigated, hand gun applications and felony arrests increased from January of last year.

Strasser said a team-building retreat for council members, department heads and appointed boards is scheduled for March 7 and 14. Scott Brosman and Janet Ayres are helping the mayor plan the program.

Board of Works

An agreement for $2,068 was approved for a security upgrade at the city building.

The city lost roughly 84.5 million gallons of water last year, which would equal a loss of city revenue of between $64,000 to $65,000. Strasser said if Indiana Packers usage was deducted from the total gallons billed, the city is losing more than what it is billing. An evaluation of the system for $5,575 was approved.

A survey for $5,000 to determine a site location for a fifth well was approved. Strasser said all four city wells were located in close proximity to each other and were fed from the same aquifer, which could produce a lower water table for city use.

The contract for 2009 city trash removal was approved.

The board of works will begin meeting at 6 p.m. on the first meeting day of each month. It was determined a longer board of works meeting was necessary to accomplish tasks.

The next board of works meeting will be Feb. 16 at 4:30 p.m. The next city council meeting will be March 2 at 7 p.m.

Executive session

Immediately following the public council meeting, Strasser and council members met in executive session to discuss strategy with respect to the purchase or lease of real property by the governing body, up to the time a contract or option to purchase or lease is executed.