HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-06-1984 - Public Hearing 1
PROCEEDINGS OF A PUBLIC HEARING
OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA,JUNE 6, 1984
1 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met in special session
2 for the purpose of a Public Hearing pursuant to Resolution No. 14-1984 to
3 receive public comment on the consideration of establishing a Cumulative
4 Capital Development Fund. The Public Hearing was conducted on June 6, 1984 at
5 the hour of 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. of
6 said City. President Pro-tem Williams presided with the following members
7 present: Councilpersons Brookbank, Hankinson, Whitesell, Lemoine, Morris and
8 Bodiker. Absent: Parker and Elstros.
9'
10 The Clerk read Resolution No. 14-1984 by title only - A RESOLUTION TO ESTAB-
11 LISH A PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF A CUMULATIVE CAPITAL
12 DEVELOPMENT FUND PURSUANT TO INDIANA CODE 36-9-15-5.
13
14 Mr. Barden stated that the proof of publication for the Public Hearing was in
15 order and Councilperson Morris moved toaccept and file the Proof of Publicat-
16 ion, seconded by Councilperson Bodiker and on unanimous voice vote the motion
17 was carried.
18
19 President Pro-ten Williams announced that the Public Hearing would begin.
20
21 There was no public speaking against the Cumulative Capital development Fund.
22
23 Speaking for the establishmnet of a Cumulative Capital Development Fund was
24 Controller Cathy Maness stating that this fund can be established pursuant
25 to H.B. 1217 and Public Law 1984. The five (5), ten (10) and fifteen (15)
26 cent additional tax revenues are established out of the frozen levy. This
27 fund can be used for any of the purposes that any of the existing cumulative
28 funds that are on the books when H.B. 1217 was passed could be used for. The
29 monies collected from these additional tax levies will not be used for basic
30 operations and will not be used for salaries. The funds are designed to be
31 used for capital improvements and capital acquisitions only. In the past five
32 years since the tax levy was frozen in 1979 the capital acquisitions of the
33 City of Richmond have significantly declined.
34
35 Ms. Maness explained that all funds raised from general taxes are needed to
36 operate the City day to day. Revenues have basically remained constant and
37 costs have increased. Approximate revenues that the Cumulative Capital
38 Development Fund can raise are 90,000.00 in 1984 with a five (5) cent levy,
39 180,000.00 in 1985 with a ten (10) cent levy and 270,000.00 in 1986 with a
40 fifteen (15) cent levy.
41
42 Speaking in favor of the Cimulative Capital Development Fund were:
43
44 Park Consultant Don McBride. Mr. McBride stated the Department of Parks and
45 Recreation maintains sixty-two (62) buildings, the municipal pool is fifteen
46 (15) years old, tennis courts need resurfaced, docks need rebuilt, park drives
47 need resurfaced, SWAC House parking lot needs surfaced and much equipment
48 needs updated. The funds to accomplish these are not included in the operat-
49 ional budget of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
50
51 Fire Chief Larry Bosell told the members of Council that his department would
52 like to be able to do advanced planning on equipment replacement and not have
53 to be in the position of having to issue bonds or make a lease purchase
54 agreement.
55
56 Assistant Fire Chief Don Atkins outlined the mintenance problems in the fire
57 houses. He stated there are no funds available in the operating budget to
58 • correct these problems.
59
60 Head of Weights and Measures indicated to the Council that his department
61 could use a test truck capable of weighing up to 20,000 lbs. He currently
62 drives a 1976 van that is in very bad condition and must depend on the State
63 vehicle to test the vehicle scales. The test truck costs approximately
64 70,000.00.
65
ml
Proceedings of Public Hearing Cont'd
June 6, 1984
Page 2
1 Major Bratton of the Police Department indicated his department was in need
2 of automobiles, mobile radio equipmnet, portable redio equipment, automobiles
3 to be used for such purposes as juvenile units and canine equipped units.
4 i He also explained to the Council the problem with their indoor range and the
5 exhaust system which needs replaced due to the lead level.
6
7 Paul Hedges, Airport Manager, told Council that a runway needed resurfaced
8 and would cost approximately 480,000.00. A maintenace building also needs
9 constructed and that 55,000.00 would be sufficient for a building that would
10 be insulated and energy efficient. Mr. Hedges indicated that this could be in
11 the way of a loan to the Airport and could be paid back with the additional
12 revenue. He also indicated that the Administration Building was rusting out
13 on the east side of the upstairs and would cost 15,000.00 to 20,000.00.
14
15 Street Supervisor, Bill Hillard, told the Council that pre-planning was imp-
16 ossible to do wihtin the current operating budget. They are using federal
17 revenue sharing funds for day to day operations. Maintenance needs to be done
18 on streets, alleys, curbs and sidewalks and the equipment needs upgraded.
19 The average age of the street department equipment is early 1970's. A slurry
20 seal machine also needs to be purchased and the price would be approximately
21 90,000.00.
22
23 Ms. Maness read a statement regarding CORTA and that the buses were purchased
24 in 1978. These buses are going to need to be replaced. Revenue Sharing is
25 only assured through September of 1985.
26
27 Ms. Maness told the Coucnil they should consider setting the tax rates for all
28 three (3) years or they will have to hold a public hearing each year to es-
29 tablish the rate. At the end of the three (3) years this levy must be renewed
30
31 Councilperson Bodiker asked Mr. Barden if Senior Citizens could be exempt
32 from this levy. Mr. Barden indicated that the administrative costs to accomp-
33 lish this could be very high. The approximate cost to a taxpayer owning a
34 50,000.00 home would be 25.00 dollars per year and the rate could be fixed
35 lower than the suggested .05, .10, and .15. These are the maximum rates
36 allowable under the law.
37
38 Councilperson Hankinson reminded the Council about the levy placed on the
39 taxes by the School Corporation..
40
41 Councilperson Whitesell requested an average capital improvement and equip-
42 ment cost annually for the City in the past.
43
44 There being no further comment or business the meeting was adjourned by general
45 consensus.
46
47
48 Marion Williams
49 President Pro-tern
50
51
52 ATTEST: Mary Merchanthouse
53 City Clerk
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65