TERRE HAUTE —
Mayor Duke Bennett is urging the Terre Haute City Council to make three big ticket transfers to bring the city’s “general fund” into balance by the end of this year.
The mayor asked the nine-member council to move approximately $7.7 million into the city’s critical general fund at Thursday night’s council “sunshine” meeting.
The transfers would come from three sources: The Economic Development Income Tax fund ($2 million), the “rainy day” fund ($3.5 million) and from the city’s Waste Water Utility in the form of a “payment in lieu of taxes,” of PILOT ($2.189 million).
At the start of this year the general fund, which pays for most of the city’s day-to-day expenses, was $4.5 million in the red. If all three transfers are approved, the city will end 2012 “really close to finishing the year with minimal loss or break even,” Bennett said.
Speaking after the meeting, Councilman Neil Garrison, D-5th, said he believes the council is “more than willing” to help deal with the deficit. He added, however, that the council would prefer to know well in advance in the future when such measures are needed.
Some council members also questioned using Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) dollars for ordinary city expenses. Bennett said the EDIT money in question came from an unexpected disbursement from the state and is “excess money.” He also noted that state law now allows EDIT dollars to be spent in virtually any way a city wishes.
Still, Garrison said he worries using EDIT money for a non-economic development project sets a bad precedent. “I know it’s legal, but that’s not how [EDIT] was sold to taxpayers,” he said.
Councilman Jim Chalos, D-at large, also said he worries about using EDIT dollars for the general fund since EDIT money can help draw new business to the community. “That’s an extremely important fund,” Chalos said.
Between $2 and 3 million will remain in the EDIT fund after the transfer, if it is approved, Bennett said. “Our EDIT fund is in a very good cash position,” the mayor said. “We don’t propose to do this regularly.”
• Also Thursday, the council heard a proposal from Councilman Todd Nation, D-4th, to convert Cherry Street between U.S. 41 and North Eighth Street into a two-way street. Several city officials, citing safety, traffic, air quality and other concerns, urged the council to reject the proposal. Nation, however, said the idea would slow traffic on Cherry and would, by allowing access from U.S. 41 to the downtown, help businesses. Diann McKee, a vice president at Indiana State University, also urged the council to consider the idea.
As a possible compromise, Councilman John Mullican, D-6th, proposed ending two-way traffic on Cherry Street at North Seventh instead of North Eighth Street. That would address several of the objections raised, he said.
• Finally, the council also heard a request from Mainstreet Terre Haute, LLC, to vacate Fourth Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues near Union Hospital. This would allow for the construction of a large, new, senior care facility at the site of Memorial Park and the Second Christian Church. There were no objections raised to that proposal.
The council could vote on these and other matters at its regular meeting, Thursday at 6 p.m. in City Hall.
Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Mayor asks Council to help with deficit
Money transfer would help balance General Fund
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Update: Cleanup from overturned truck in Greene County continues
Fuel spillage from the dump truck hauling gravel that overturned this morning in Greene County at Indiana 54 and County Road 725 East near Ridgeport continues to restrict traffic to one lane.
-
17-pound bone found during Vigo flood cleanup
TERRE HAUTE — Crews cleaning up from Wabash River flooding in Vigo County came across a 17-pound bone that they believe might have come from an ancient mastodon.
-
Duke Energy gives $10K to Wabash Valley Red Cross for Vigo flood relief
Duke Energy is giving $10,000 to the Wabash Valley Red Cross chapter for flood relief from this spring’s heavy rains.
-
I-70 Frye Road overpass contract awarded; construction to begin May 28
The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced the Interstate-70 Frye Road overpass contract was awarded to Halverson Construction Co. Inc. from Springfield, Ill., for $317,166.
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
-
New date set for attempted murder trial
A new trial date has been set for a Terre Haute woman charged with attempted murder.
-
Illinois Senate approves sex education bill
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A proposal that revamps sex education in Illinois public schools to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases has cleared the state Senate.
-
Gregg pondering 2nd run for Indiana governor
INDIANAPOLIS — Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg is pondering another run at the state's top job, but has yet to make a decision.
-
Illinois senator apologizes for Nazi remark
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Sen. Donne Trotter has apologized for remarks that compared a member of Gov. Pat Quinn’s cabinet to a Nazi.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 22, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Tuesday and Wednesday, based on jail records.
-
Rose-Hulman professor researching ways to make homes storm safe
Tornadoes produce greater uplift forces than hurricanes, which can flatten homes such as in Moore Okla., south of Oklahoma City.
-
Group wants to connect downtown Terre Haute with the Wabash River
Fairbanks Park is underutilized.
The Wabash River is peaceful and inviting, but there is some concern about its cleanliness as well as pollution levels. Also, people can’t get on the river unless they have a boat. -
New conservancy district appoints first directors
Members of the first board of directors of a new lake conservancy district were appointed Tuesday by the Vigo County Board of Commissioners.
-
Vigo law enforcement signs Triad charter to protect seniors
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller joined Vigo County law enforcement and community activists Tuesday to sign the county’s first Triad charter, becoming the 22nd Triad in Indiana.
-
Wabash Valley Red Cross wraps up Save the Day Campaign
The American Red Cross Wabash Valley Chapter’s 2013 annual meeting concluded the 17th annual Save the Day Campaign, and the results lifted the spirits of all who were involved.
-
Some Vigo roads washed out
Spring storms resulted in $250,000 in damages to roads in southern Vigo County, with costs including sand and labor to save homes near river bottoms, said county highway Assistant Superintendent Dan Bennett.
-
County Council votes $78K toward rail spur
County officials voted Tuesday night to make good on a 2011 promise to help improve a railroad spur just north of Terre Haute for Menard Inc.
-
Spring flooding damages future CSO holding lagoon
Flood waters from the Wabash River have done costly damage to one of the city-owned “lagoons” on former International Paper property.
-
Vigo tops state average for IREAD-3 scores
The Vigo County School Corp. exceeded the state average in the percentage of students passing the state’s mandatory Grade 3 reading test, IREAD-3.
-
Storms cause minor damage in Valley
Tuesday morning storms in the Wabash Valley caused thousands of Duke Energy customers to lose power.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 21, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Monday and Tuesday, based on jail records.
-
UPDATE: Damage surveys show 2 weak tornadoes hit near Indy
INDIANAPOLIS — The National Weather Service says storm surveys show two weak tornadoes struck central Indiana.
-
Storm causes scattered Indiana power outages
INDIANAPOLIS — A line of thunderstorms that moved across Indiana caused scattered building damage and power outages for several thousand homes and businesses.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Update: Cleanup from overturned truck in Greene County continues
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
Today in History May 23
Today in History May 22
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
