Clermont Signs 2008 Fire Contract

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Council member Nancy Baxter and President Bob Hinshaw sign the 2008 fire service contract.

Photo by Jay Thompson

(posted Jan 10)
(revised Jan 11)

The January 4 fire contract negotiations between Clermont and Wayne Township  failed to lower the hefty sticker price of $358,249 for Clermont residents. Council President Bob Hinshaw explained the negotiations were basically one-sided because Wayne Township is the only entity willing to provide the town with fire service. The council approved the contract in 5-0 vote at its January 10 meeting.

For the contract to be fully binding, Town Attorney Robert Lutz said Wayne Township will have to approve the contract at its January 17 meeting.

A contract provision gives the town wiggle room not to pay the full amount if the Department of Local Government Finance does not approve the additional appropriation or other unforeseen shortfalls that may effect the town's budget.

Prior to the meeting, fears and rumors ran amok through the town that fire protection was in jeopardy. Resident Linda Lucas was so concerned that she contacted Channel 13 and the Indianapolis Star for coverage even though it was posted on the Speedway Navigator's website that fire contract negotiations with Wayne Township would occur January 4 and fire protection would remain until written notice is given to the town.

Lutz stated clearly that fire protection was unbroken by Wayne Township even during negotiations.

Hinshaw could not sign a contract because it requires council approval to enter into a contract. Hinshaw said he did not specifically tell Lucas about the written agreement that provided for interim fire protection because she did not ask about the agreement, he only responded to her question about signing the contract and told her the town was covered. He said he did not want to get into the details because of what he described as Lucas' cantankerous relationship toward him and some board members. He said he was speaking for himself, and not for other members of the board when calling Lucas' attitude cantankerous.

According to Lutz, he did not receive the contract until October.

The council now needs to start scrambling to pay for the 2008 budget that will be short by $60,000. The council has $33,000 available from  its financial institution, excise, and  aircraft excise funds to be dedicated toward the contract. However, the council is expected to request for an additional appropriation to cover the balance of the amount. The council did not foresee that the contract would jump by $60,000 when establishing the 2008 budget in August.

The council is still not finished with paying off its 2007 contract cost, with approximately $51,000 due. The council, like other local governments, is waiting for its final tax distributions for 2007.

Lutz also indicated that in 2009 the council will have develop a fire replacement fund that will come from "Clermont citizens' pockets."

Council member Vonda Kiger said she could not afford the few extra hundred dollars  and that maybe it would be better to dissolve the town.

The increased cost comes from Wayne Township's desire to have all Wayne Township residents pay the same fire rate. Wayne Township pays about .64 cents per assessed $100 while Clermont pays .48 cents.

In other matters, Hinshaw officially said the steering committee that has been examining redevelopment with Ball State University College of Architecture is not recognized or created by the town, and in addition it is not responsible for any funding of the committee's projects with Ball State.