Crawfordsville police and firefighters will soon see a bump in their paychecks.
On Monday, members of the Crawfordsville Common Council unanimously passed the first reading of two ordinances to amend the city’s salary ordinance and to make the additional appropriations from the general fund to increase the maximum salary levels for public safety employees.
Mayor Todd Barton recommended the pay increase so that the city can continue to retain and attract qualified, responsible and effective public safety employees.
Funds to cover these costs and expenses will come from the Local Option Income Tax Public Safety Fund. For 2024, the fire department will need $370,633 and the police department will need $330,460 to reach the desired levels.
Both proposed ordinances require two additional readings before they can be adopted and put into effect.
In other fiscal matters, the council unanimously adopted new sewer rates and charges based on the quantity of water used and whether the user’s property is inside or outside of city limits. The increase will be administered in two phases, the first is set for April 1 and the second by Jan. 1, 2025.
For those inside the city, the rate per 100 gallons of water a month would climb from $0.505 to $0.592 on April 1 and $0.694 by Jan. 1, 2025. The maximum monthly single-family residential use charge (10,000 gallons) would increase from $57.85 to $67.82 on April 1 and then $79.51 on Jan. 1, 2025. A monthly minimum bill (2,000 gallons) is estimated at $20.46, effective April 1 and $23.99, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Outside city uses will now be charged a rate per 100 gallons of water a month at $0.678, effective April 1 and $0.795, effective Jan. 1, 2025. The maximum single-family residential charge (10,000 gallons) would be $77.67 on April 1 and $91.08 on Jan. 1, 2025. The minimum monthly bill on April 1 would be $23.43 and $27.48 on Jan. 1, 2025.
In addition to the rate changes, administrative fees will increase from the current $7.35 to $8.62 on April 1 and $10.11 on Jan. 1, 2025, for those inside the city. Those outside the city will see an initial rate of $9.87 on April 1 and $11.58 by Jan. 1, 2025.
Industrial surcharges also will increase.
The current average residential bill is $27.55 a month for 4,000 gallons.
In other business, the council:
• Adopted two ordinances pertaining to re-establishing and funding the deputy city/treasurer’s position. The salary set for the position would be $55,600.
• Approved a resolution approving a tax abatement for Spartech LLC. The company, formerly Crawford Industries, is looking to invest $1.8 million in manufacturing equipment to modernize and add efficiency to its existing Crawfordsville operation. This investment will help retain 87 full-time employees at the plant and add an additional 10 new, full-time positions.
• Approved a resolution designating the area where the Montgomery County Free Clinic is located in the 800 block of Mill Street as an economically disadvantaged area based on Census data. The designation will allow the non-profit to apply for participation in the Neighborhood Assistance Program administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. If included in NAP, those who donate to the clinic will be able to claim a 50% tax credit.
• Adopted an ordinance replacing city code, chapter 53 as it pertains to drainage control regulations.
• Adopted an ordinance amending the city’s parking ordinance to establish a 72-hour limit at the city parking lot in the 400 block of East Main Street.
• Learned the regular April council meeting at 6 p.m. will be moved from April 8 to April 9.
