Budget shortfalls within the Bethel Township, Clark County, budget is forcing trustees to trim the amount of sheriff service from 80 hours each week to 60.

 

Township financial officer Melanie Cochrane informed trustees they wouldn’t be able to afford two deputies next year because the police levy has about a $40,000 deficit and they couldn’t continue taking money from the general fund to make up the difference because revenues have been declining.  She added that the state legislature keeps gradually chipping away at the money trustees receive, threatening to take all the local government funds to help make their budget.

Trustee Finfrock said we should put a 1-mill levy on this fall for additional police funding, but no action was taken on that.

In other action:

Lisa D’Allessandris from County EMA and Deb Shaw from the Clark County Solid Waste Division spoke to those in attendance to discuss a plan they have developed to handle debris collection after a disaster, such as Hurricane Ike with all the downed trees and limbs.  The pair wants townships to identify a central collection site.

Trustees Dave Phares and Nancy Brown voted to send a letter of opposition to the county on the proposed bar on Lower Valley Pike, with Finfrock passing because he wanted to get more information.

We bought four new tires for one of our police cruisers on state minimum bid.

Justin Slone resigned from his position as lieutenant in the department and from the paid per call program, but is staying on as part time.