Job cuts, city service fees may be next in Nappanee budget crunchby Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)
To make up for lost revenue after the October 2007 tornado and the property tax caps, Nappanee may have to start charging for some city services. (WSBT file photo) NAPPANEE — A tornado destroyed parts of Nappanee eight months ago. Multimedia That damage combined with the new property tax cap is taking a toll on the city's revenue, and balancing the budget may mean cutting jobs or charging for city services. "I don't know what's going to happen," Nappanee Clerk Treasurer Kim Ingle said. She said the city is looking at a budget shortfall in the coming years because of the pending 1 percent property tax cap. "When we lose property tax, we also lose the funding in order to provide the services for our citizens," Ingle explained. The city also experienced a recent loss in property tax revenues as a result of the tornado that destroyed homes and businesses. There are lost water and sewage revenues as a result of that damage. To make up lost revenue, the city may have to start charging for some services such as trash pickup and fire hydrants. "That’s a significant dollar amount and it would really help to cover the deficits that we're going to encounter," Ingle said. Closing the city pool and the 911 dispatch center are also options. But the city says one cost-cutting move it won't consider is closing the Emergency Medical Service Department. "I wish there was some other way we could avoid this,” Mayor Larry Thompson said. “We’re going to feel some pain. Our goal is to survive these things, make the changes. Hopefully they'll be made in subtle ways that our citizens won't notice." The city may also cut or rearrange staff in some departments to save money. Most PopularMore Good Stuff |
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