Greensburg, IN —Decatur County Washington Township Trustee Christian Rust is taking some heat from the Greensburg Board of Works (BOW) and City Council. At last week’s meeting, a new fire contract was submitted that stirred controversy in both meetings. During the Board of Works meeting, members expressed frustration at being submitted an entirely new contract from the past, just days before they were asked to vote on approval. Major changes were made to the contract from the previous year. The Board of Works met in a special session on Monday to try to negotiate all terms of the new contract.
The changes include changing the funding from the Township to the City for fire services from $140,000 for the year to $50,000. This number was determined by Fire Chief Nathan Stoermer to account for the cost of the number of runs in 2019 for unincorporated runs in the Township. The Board of Works members expressed that this seemed like an unfair number to provide for 3 full-time firemen that are necessary to maintain adequate protection in the township.
BOW Member and City Councilman Jaime Cain stated that the Council had already budgeted for the department under the agreement of the past funding amount and that the previously agreed amount came from hiring three firemen starting in 2014 to provide the coverage for the area. Cain expressed concern on how they could make up that money in the budget and felt if, at that number, they would no longer be able to replace firemen as they leave. Chief Stoermer stated he had compiled a list of things to do if his budget was cut. This included laying off the newest employees, shutting down Station #2, moving and selling apparatus, laying off the fire inspector, decreasing training and upcoming projects, as well as making other small budget cuts to make up the difference in the contract. Board members expressed that that was not an option. Though they did not come to a completed document, the Board of Works tabled the matter for the November meeting after discussions went on for almost two hours.
During the City Council meeting on October 5, the Council was asked to vote to approve two paragraphs in the contract. Those paragraphs contained language that would have stated the City is in favor of the Washington Township Board increasing the fire tax for both the City and the Township. The increase in the tax rate would be roughly $0.05 per $100 of taxable property, or roughly a $50 increase on a $100,000 home. This tax increase would be to add funds to a cash balance for possible future needs through a six-year bond of $2,000,000. The money would be used to pay for the new tanker truck and fire truck that were ordered in 2019. Councilman Kevin Fleetwood questioned why they would have been purchased if there was no money to pay for them. Trustee Rust responded that this would be to save cash on hand as they had the money to pay for the trucks. Ultimately, the Council voted 5-0 against recommending the tax increase and bond.
