Like most local governments, the village of Carrier Mills is looking at difficult times due to the state's fiscal woes.
Board members last night approved more measures to cut expenses at a time when state aid -- or even scheduled payments -- to local government is an uncertainty. The last payment to the village of its share of income taxes was on Jan. 13, Mayor Louis Shaw told board members.
Board members agreed to suspend transfers from the General Fund to funds like Police Equipment and Street and Alley Equipment to cover reimbursements or payments.
"I feel like it's a matter of doing what we have to do to keep the General Fund afloat," Shaw said.
Fines for traffic and ordinance violations will now be deposited to the General Fund rather than the Police Equipment Fund, as was practice for more than 20 years.
A 3.5 percent water rate increase automatically will go into effect on May 1 under the village's water ordinances. A surcharge the village has more control over, however, was the subject of a great deal of contention. Last month board members considered adding a $3 per-month surcharge to water bills to fund street lights, which currently are taken out of the dwindling Motor Fuel Tax fund. Shaw has since indicated the proposal may not go very far because Saline Valley Conservancy District has notified villages and cities of a rate increase.
"I don't know which way we're going on the street light surcharge," Shaw said.
The issue still caused a stir at the meeting.
Chris Field asked board members whether there are ways to cut some of the street-lighting bill, or at least make sure the village gets most efficient use from its street lights. Since police are out at night, why can't police officers check for non-functioning lights, Field asked.
In the course of the discussion, Field and Alice Oertle both said officers have told them it is not their job to look for street lights that have burned out.
Police Chief Billy Duncan said officers do check from time to time, but it takes several months sometimes for Ameren to fix the lights. Shaw, however, said he has turned in lists of burned-out lights and gotten pretty quick satisfaction from the utility.
Field also suggested finding lights that could be eliminated, like some in the middle of blocks. Years ago, when street-lighting was cheaper and money was more abundant, street lights were virtually available upon request.
Greg Prince said residents will take issue with their lights being eliminated.
"The only problem I can see is if I eliminate your light, you're going to be upset," Prince said.
Oertle said quite a few people, particularly older people on fixed incomes, cannot afford $3 more for things like a street light surcharge.
The board discussed the surcharge last month as a possible way to take the cost of street lighting -- about $25,000 per year -- out of the Motor Fuel Tax Fund. The MFT fund is not as healthy as it used to be because of the rising cost of materials and construction in recent years of a new Street and Alley Department barn.
Liquor license
Cecil Cole, who plans to open a private club in one of the old Pankey Motel buildings on Route 45, said his application for a liquor license is being treated unfairly by village officials.
"I don't feel as though I am being treated fair in being denied," Cole said.
The application was "deficient in several respects," Shaw, who acts as liquor control commissioner, said. Some of the deficiencies have been corrected but some have not, Shaw said.
The state inspectors told Cole he needs to upgrade the plumbing, including addition of a three-hole sink.
State law requires a private club that serves alcohol to have a kitchen big enough to meet the requirements of its members, Shaw said. As it stands now, the old restaurant building does not have a good enough kitchen.
Cole said he is working on the building, including upgrades to the kitchen.
"I have a kitchen, but it will take work to be approved by the state," Cole said.
Cole wanted the village to grant a provisional license that could be revoked if the work is not done to make the building acceptable. Shaw said he cannot grant a license on a promise of future work.
After more discussion, Shaw told Cole if he can get a food service permit there is a good chance he will issue a license, provided village attorney Fred Turner feels it is acceptable.
Back fines
Lia Milstead proposed to help the village collect back fines in exchange for 30 percent commissions on the fines collected.
The village is currently owed $79,000 in back fines. The biggest hurdle in the way of collecting back fines is not having valid addresses to send delinquency notices, Milstead said. Milstead offered to find the addresses of delinquent offenders on behalf of the village and hand them over to Village Clerk Rita Diefenbach, who would then turn the information to Turner. Turner could then send out the 14-day or 30-day notice of delinquency -- depending on how village ordinance handles delinquent fines.
Not having Turner search down all the current addresses while being paid hourly attorney fees will save the village money, Milstead said.
Those who continue not to pay fines could either be taken to court on a pay-or-appear notice or the back fine could be pursued through a civil judgment.
Milstead's fee would be passed on to the offender, so the village would not lose fine money.
"You can only gain from this deal," Milstead said.
Board members agreed to refer the proposal to the Police Committee and Turner for more discussion.
