Kokomo —
Faced with the likelihood the township will run out of money next year, Harrison Township officials are considering dipping into their dwindling reserve funds.
Last week township officials indicated they will vote Nov. 5 whether to move $32,000 out of an investment account.
Harrison Township Trustee Joyce Ancil said the money may be used for a number of purposes, but the township is running low right now on funds for poor relief.
The move comes as annexation and overspending have put the township in a precarious spot.
Next year, unless state officials allow a significant tax increase, the township’s revenues only are expected to fund about half of Ancil’s proposed budget. Ancil has a proposed budget of $235,000 next year, but county officials estimate she’ll receive about $118,000 to fund that budget, leaving her with a $117,000 deficit.
Unfortunately for township officials, it doesn’t appear the township will make it through the present year without spending down reserves.
Ancil said Monday she didn’t know offhand how much the township will have left if it spends an additional $32,000 over and above this year’s budget.
But the township’s last audit, for the years 2009-10, showed a little more than $100,000 in reserve.
And while the township was deficit spending prior to the annexation, losing 46 percent of the tax base has exacerbated an already serious problem.
“Our poor relief costs have gotten so high, I don’t think we’ll have enough,” she said.
Ancil said the township wanted to consider consolidation with the other townships within the Western school district, but couldn’t get Honey Creek and Monroe townships to go along.
In eastern Howard County, Jackson, Liberty and Union townships have agreed to a referendum question on the November ballot. Ervin, Howard and Clay townships have also agreed to a referendum.
Consolidation could save Harrison Township taxpayers from having to bear the brunt of the trustee’s revenue problems.
According to the Howard County Assessor’s Office, the tax rate for fire protection in Harrison Township is supposed to increase by 89 percent next year, going from about 5.2 cents per $100 to 9.7 cents per $100.
* Scott Smith can be reached at (765) 454-8569 or at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com
Local News
Harrison Twp. eyes dipping into reserves
Township set to run out of money soon
- Local News
-
-
Picturing success
An unfinished mural in the halls of Kokomo High School gave senior Trevor Douglas a reason to come to school every day and a reason to aim higher in life.
-
Local districts still struggling
While there may be more money alloted for K-12 education in the budget passed through the General Assembly last month, many school districts in the area won’t see high cash bumps due to changes in the funding formulas.
-
School dollars unevenly allotted
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
-
Tipton County cuts part-time hours
Part-time employees with Tipton County will be taking home smaller paychecks starting July 1 after the county council voted to lower the maximum number of hours worked to 28 per week.
-
Company invests $1.1 million in Miami Co.
A Logansport-based company is investing $1.1 million to expand its operations into a facility north of Peru. The company said it will bring over 30 jobs to the county.
-
Occupy protesters file federal lawsuit
Protesters involved in a 2011 courthouse fracas with Howard County Sheriff Steve Rogers have filed suit in federal court, alleging civil rights violations.
-
Digging through the rubble
The search for survivors and the dead is nearly complete in the Oklahoma City suburb that was smashed by a mammoth tornado, the fire chief said Tuesday.
-
Districts cut hours for non-teachers
Hours for 31 Taylor Community Schools employees were cut Monday as the school district tries to avoid providing them health care.
-
WWII vets wanted for Honor Flights
Last September, Howard County resident Gene Sweeney got to take a memorable flight to the nation’s capitol to visit the World War II monument.
-
Occupy protesters file federal lawsuit
Protesters involved in a 2011 courthouse fracas with Howard County Sheriff Steve Rogers have filed suit in federal court, alleging civil rights violations.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
