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New Carlisle City Council has decided to reduce the city’s deputies to two. The city will now have police protection 80 hours each week.  They also voted to keep the city pool open despite a $40,000 deficit last year.

Council made the move to cut deputies to save an estimated $300,000 on the 2015 budget.  Without the cuts, unexpected expenses would put the city in the red.

Council member Rick Lowrey said that Sheriff Gene Kelly stated at a previous meeting that New Carlisle would still have police protection if the city cut back to two deputies.  “I wish he would have come forward four, five or six years ago and said ‘you’re paying too much.’”

Council member Bill McIntire said that many council members were not comfortable with cutting deputies, but believed that it was the best that they could do.  “I don’t feel comfortable with this solution and would like for us to look at trying to save police officers.”

Resident Ronald Cobb complained about what he called waste in city government and cited money spent on the pool as money wasted.  “The pool has lost money for years,” said Cobb.  “Enough is enough, let’s stop throwing money away.”  Cobb added, “If you’re not going to quit wasting money, I’m going to fight you.”

Lowrey responded saying, “We don’t make money off of deputies.  We don’t make money by fixing streets.  They are services that we provide to the public.”

“If we cut two deputies, we’ll save $190,000, and that’s substantial,” said Council member Dick Zsambok, “If that’s enough cuts, we can stop there and see if it works out.  If it doesn’t we can reconsider in three months or six months.”

“I don’t see people coming up here saying what about the money you have saved,” said Council member Mike Lowrey.  “You don’t see city workers driving around in flashy 4x4’s with all new equipment.  I think it’s unfair to say that we’re wasting money.”

“Sheriff Kelly said they’ll be here, but how long will it take,” said Council member Ethan Reynolds.  “County cars in this district cover from Mad River all the way up to Pike.”  He also expressed concerns that people would see that our police protection was cut and think it’s “open season” in New Carlisle.

Valerie Herdman, manager of the city’s pool, made an empassioned plea to council to convince them to keep the pool open.  She was successful.  Two council members said that she had changed their minds.

“We have a year to make the pool profitable,” said Herdman.  “If we can’t, then we’re going to be in the same boat next year.”

Public Service Director Howard Kitko told council that 223 residents north of Lake Ave. have not set appointments to have their water meters upgraded.  Kitko said that door hangers would be placed on the homes that have not yet complied.  If they don’t set an appointment, water service will be disconnected until the meter is replaced.  There is no charge to the resident for the meter upgrade.

Planning Director Randy Bridge informed council that he has placed several business properties on an internet database trying to get businesses to locate in the city.