BATESVILLE, Ind. — At the Batesville City Council meeting, the council had their first reading of a proposed smoking ban in all city parks.
If approved, the smoking ban would be as written, “No smoking or vaping shall be permitted in any of the city’s parks, with the exception that smoking or vaping may be permitted in Liberty Park, other than inside any structures located in said park where it shall be prohibited. Whoever violates this section shall be fined not more than $1,000. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day that a violation occurs or continues.”
The council will have their second reading and a vote on the proposed ordinance is expected at the February meeting.
In new business the council had a first reading for an ordinance to Annex property owned by William G Weberding.
Mr. Weberding petitioned the City of Batesville for annexation of around 19.13 acres.
The second reading of the proposed ordinance and a vote is expected at the February meeting.
You can see the full proposed ordinance here.
The Batesville Beautification League requested $7,000 in Belterra Funds to purchase a new watering cart for the city.
The total cost of the cart would be $16,035.17.
The council approved the funds to purchase the new cart.
Mike Baumer also requested$9891.55 from Belterra Funds to finance most lights in Liberty Park with new energy saving LED lights.
The total cost of the project is $15,105.14, but Duke Energy will contribute $4,719.60, and will do all the installation.
It is quoted that the new lights would save the city approximately $221 per month in electric fees.
Baumer said that the new lights would pay for themselves in less than 4 years.
All of the lights in the parks would be replaced with the exception of the tennis courts, as they are not used enough to justify replacing them.
The Belterra Funds request was denied, but the project will still be approved, but from the Capital Improvements fund, and the project will still move forward.
In the Board of Works meeting, the only piece of business was the board approved the 2017 Waste Water Budget.
The budget is expected to increase by 3.4% over the year.
You can see the entire budget here.
