A story in the Feb. 10 issue of the New Carlisle News was the topic of some discussion at Monday night’s New Carlisle City Council meeting.  The story dealt with council’s desire to step up traffic enforcement to increase safety in the city.

“I’ve had several people call me asking if we’re going to start writing tickets for 1 mile per hour over the speed limit,” said Council member Rick Lowrey, “and I told them, ‘No, we’re not.’ 
The story was factual, but some people are thinking that the city needs money so we’re going to get it through traffic fines.  And that’s just not true.”
“We’re not trying to make money off of this,” added Council member Lowell McGlothin.  “We just want to slow traffic down and to get people to stop at stop signs.”
City Finance Director Richard Sexton said that the total income from the Clark County Municipal Court for fines was only $137.  “We’re not getting rich off of fines,” said Sexton.
The story made it quite obvious that Council’s intent was not to generate revenue, but rather to make the city’s streets safer.
Mayor Richard Zsambok added that if a city-paid officer writes a citation in the city for 1-20 miles per hour over the speed limit, the city gets $75.00.  Municipal court keeps the court costs of $105.
There was also considerable discussion about Ordinance 10-08E, authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract to extend dental insurance to a handful of management employees. 
Council member Paul Shakro expressed concern over a line in the contract stating “there is no minimum number of hours of employment per week in order to be eligible.”  Shakro stated that was in conflict with the city’s handbook, which sets a minimum of 32 hours weekly to be eligible for insurance and that someone could make a case against the city.
“Someone could make a case,” said City Law Director Miguel Pedrazza, “but they couldn’t win.” 
Shakro’s was the only “No” vote for this ordinance.
In other action, Council passed an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement for a City Credit Card. 
City Finance Director Richard Sexton said that the current credit card is through Security National Bank, and that they have passed their credit card business to a thirdparty.
He said that demands are being made of the city that “we cannot honor.”  He has worked out a much better deal for the city through New Carlisle Federal Savings Bank.  The ordinance passed unanimously.
The next City Council meeting will be held Monday, March 15 at the Smith Park Shelter House.
You can hear audio recordings of most council meetings online at audio.newcarlisleohio.net