Daryl Smith, executive director of the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation gave an update on the EDC's shovel ready sites initiative at Monday night's meeting of the Flora Town Council.

He explained that the two shovel ready sites - Gray's Turkey Farm near Delphi and the Johnson Farm south of Flora - have no utilities. He acknowledged Flora's willingness to assist with getting utilities to the Johnson Farm, but said that the City of Delphi and the county have no available funds to run utilities to the Gray site.

Smith said an option under consideration is to form TIF (tax increment financing) districts to capture new property taxes generated from new business or industry that might locate there to be used to pay for the infrastructure costs.

Smith said the EDC is currently looking for a third shovel ready site, one with railroad access.

Other business

Upon clerk-treasurer Joretta Tinsman's recommendation, the council approved a $50,000 transfer from the general fund to the Rainy Day fund. Council president Josh Ayres noted that the town has not tapped into the funds ever, but with the current economic climate it is nice to know that the funds are there.

Following discussion, the council agreed to see about refurbishing the town's Christmas decorations in lieu of buying new ones. They approved the purchase of new LED lights for the trees.

Ayres announced "for the remainder of 2009 the wise thing to do is for any non-essential items over $1,000 to be approved by the council prior to purchase." This will include all departments that operate on a budget including airport, fire, police and park departments.

"This is not something we are going to do indefinitely," he explained, "but until we get a grasp on the financial picture due to trending, this is a way to keep a handle on finances."

Town Marshal Paul Redmon reported that his department's report for January was incomplete due to computer issues.

He said the new police car has been received and equipment will be transferred over next week.

The department has recorded two property damage collisions this month, while the town has also recorded two.

Tinsman reported that Gail Ennis was re-elected president of the park board and Charlene Davis was reelected vice president.

The plan commission issued one building permit in January to ERS Telecom Properties for the tower on East Elizabeth Street.

The Utilities Department reported two water leaks were dug up and fixed. On-call employees were needed with frozen meters and lines under houses and trailers due to the sub zero weather.

The council approved a cost of service study for the electric utility that will be used to plan projects in the future if IMPA does at no charge.

Tinsman was instructed to contact the local YMCA about reaching an agreement as to when the Y will assume snow plowing and mowing of its property.

"We need some understanding as to when this will be done," said Ayres. "The town has no connection to the building, we do not hold the lease."

"There are costs involved and in all fairness to the people of Flora, this should not go on indefinitely. The town has been providing this service since the facility opened."

The Northwest Solid Waste District will hold household hazardous waste and tire collection at Flora Community Park on July 25.

The town office will be closed Feb. 16 for Presidents Day.

The next council meeting will be March 2 at 6 p.m. in the Fireside Building.