SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. — Shipshewana’s budget is dropping.
The proposed $3.75 million Shipshewana town budget for 2009 is $253,619 less than this year’s approved budget.
That is a 6.3 percent decrease over 2008, if the Town Council and Indiana Department of Local Government Finance approve next year’s budget.
Since the budget is tentative, the final form of the budget could look significantly different when all is said and done, according to Clerk-Treasurer Ruth Ann Downey.
Downey said after Wednesday’s special council meeting that no other budget work sessions are planned for this year. If the budget needs to be amended it would have to be done at a regular council meeting or by the Department of Local Government Finance.
Downey said Wednesday that the proposed 2009 budget adoption schedule will be released at a later council meeting.
The 2008 approved budget figure for all funds was $4 million.
If the 2009 budget is approved as proposed, the tax increment financing district fund would be hit the hardest. The council plans to cut $376,000 from this year’s expenditures of $1.13 million
One line item, “additional improvements,” was the biggest factor in the sharp drop. The council is proposing the elimination of the item, which in 2008 accounts for $350,000.
The line item for lease payments for the Shipshewana Town Center is expected to be lowered by another $51,000. However, installing a canopy at the center will cost the town an additional $100,000.
If the proposed budget is approved, expenditures for the general fund would be curtailed by $121,115. Other funds that would suffer deep cuts would be economic development income tax, a $55,430 loss, and the rainy day fund, a $50,000 reduction.
On the positive side, a $130,000 increase in Town Center operating fund spending is planned.
Among the significant line item changes, under the motor vehicle highway fund street improvements spending would rise by $75,000 next year.
Downey said following the meeting that spending on that category would seem like a major increase only because the town took on so few street projects this year.
In what is basically a shell game in the food and beverage tax fund, professional services for engineering would drop by $66,000 in 2009. The services would be related to the proposed Pumpkinvine Trail project.
However, a new line item would be created titled “Pumpkinvine Trail Costs.” That fund would start out with a $60,000 balance.
Also in that fund, park development spending would rise by $31,000.
The net assessed valuation for 2009 is estimated at $51 million, down from $73.2 million approved for 2008.
The total proposed 2009 maximum tax levy is an estimated $1 million, up from $690,318 approved for this calendar year.
Local News
Shipshewana budget falls
- Local News
-
-
Man pleads guilty to robbery
GOSHEN — A Nappanee man pleaded guilty in Elkhart County Circuit Court to his involvement in a March robbery in Nappanee.
-
A very sweet war: Searching for the ultimate cupcake
A fig, goat cheese and onion cake pop dipped in chocolate? No wrinkling of noses! It was the winning entry in a fierce competition between a local baker, a sixth-grader and recent participants in the Food Network’s popular Cupcake Wars.
-
The Salvation Army celebrates dedication
The Salvation Army in Goshen celebrated service by and to the community. The opportunity came when The Salvation Army in Goshen and southern Elkhart County held its first Celebration Dinner May 17.
-
Memorial Day events planned
Veterans who died in service to their country will be remembered during Memorial Day services this holiday weekend.
-
Police: 32 pounds of pot found in LaGrange
A traffic stop in LaGrange County, with help from a drug-sniffing canine, led police to the discovery of a reported 32-pounds of marijuana Wednesday.
-
Board reviews cleanup status
LAGRANGE — Monday morning all eyes in the LaGrange County Board of Commissioners meeting room were glued to the slide show presented by County Code Enforcement Officer Johnny Boggs.
-
Reception to honor donors set for Thursday
A reception is set for Thursday evening to recognize donors and kick off the fundraising for this year’s Celebrate America fireworks program planned at Black Squirrel Golf Course on July 1.
-
Permits for golf carts passes
NAPPANEE — Those wishing to travel the city streets of Nappanee on golf carts will need to acquire a permit after City Council members approved an amendment to the golf cart ordinance Monday night. The amended ordinance was passed unanimously on third and final reading.
-
Rain barrel auction at First Fridays to benefit Elkhart River
GOSHEN — Colorful, decorated rain barrels will be sold in Goshen late next week in hopes of helping raise funds to improve the Elkhart River.
-
Police: Teen accidentally shot himself
GOSHEN — A 17-year-old boy was shot outside his home at 1824 College Manor Drive, just south of College Avenue, at 3:43 p.m. Tuesday.
- More Local News Headlines
-



