Batesville, In. —Batesville mayor Mike Bettice delivered his third state of the city address last night to about 60 people at the BNS Commons.
The mayor cited many accomplishments while crediting department heads, board & commission volunteers, independently elected officials, municipal employees and community partners.
Highlights of the presentation:
The final bond payment for improvements to the Batesville Water Clarifier Plant done in 2003 will be paid in January of 2021. Once the final payment is made, $700,000 will be available in the annual budget. At about the same time, the final phases of the Long Term Water Project could be underway. City officials say that project will be financed through the Indiana Finance Authority Revolving Fund Loan Program.
The city currently has the capacity to produce about 2 million gallons of water per day and demand is between 1.2 and 1.8 million gallons per day. The Long Term Water Project will be an important part of future expansion for the city.
The Batesville Police Department will add a patrol officer, allowing the reassignment of another officer to work on drug-related cases moving forward. The mayor said the department is committed to using Community Policing tactics as a tool to reduce property crime.
Reflecting on change and upgrades at the Batesville Fire Department, the mayor said they are always looking for EMS/Firefighters and this year the hourly wage has been increased. A new Training/Storage Building has been added, significant renovations have been done to the interior and exterior, a new ambulance has been procured and a new low-profile apparatus has been purchased. The new apparatus will become the primary response tool and able to access the city limits south of the railroad tracks in the event of a train crossing.
The mayor thanked multiple community partners for improvements and ADA upgrades at Liberty Park, the addition of the north side park and the Star Spangled Symphony.
The completion of Merkel Road, a major stormwater project in downtown, the demolition of Feller’s Service Station and the Military Banner Program were all mentioned as significant accomplishments.
For 2019 there are plans to replace liner at the Memorial Pool, replace the roof and SCADA System at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, Northside Park construction and maintenance and repair to the Memorial Building.
Long-term plans were announced for a pedestrian path that would connect the Baseball Complex, YMCA, Brum Woods, the possibility of an I-74 Gateway Project that would refurbish “Batesville” signs, a railroad bridge and a trail to connect the city with the new Northside Park.
