By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Union Township’s problems moved into Decatur Tuesday, but what initially appeared to be a major problem turned into a problem without major urgency.
Township advisory board members Jessica Roemer and Scott Marbach (see photo) are engaged in a squabble with Trustee Nathan Mihm. They have refused to approve Mihm’s 2024 budget because, they allege, Mihm will not show them a breakdown of the budget.
Alleging “misconduct” on the part of Mihm, Roemer said at Tuesday night’s meeting of Decatur City Council, “We have not seen the fire contracts,”
Roemer and Marbach came before council to ask for some sort of reprieve on the city’s $1,549 increase in fire protection for 2024.
The township took this year’s $8,591.16 and budgeted it for ’24, but the cost has risen to $10,130.05 for next year.
Roemer and Marbach asked if the township could stay with this year’s charge for next year. Mayor Dan Rickord, though, said, “It’s not for us to get involved” in the squabble. “It’s just not our issue.”
The mayor pointed out that the annual cost is based on assessed valuations and that all townships covered by the Decatur Ffire Department will be seeing cost increases for ’24.
In discussion concerning some possible options, it was pointed out by Clerk-Treasurer Phyllis Whitright that Union Township’s first of two payments in 2024 won’t be due until June.
Bingo! Problem solved … or at least kicked down the road.
“That changes everything,” Marbach said, noting that the township has funds to cover that first payment. The second won’t come due until December.
Rickord tossed out some encouragement for the two. “We want to make this as safe as possible,” he said. “Obviously, if they (fire department) are dispatched, they are going to go.”
About the Author
