[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6138516,"mediaKeyId","5583084-3d698b7bec6b5bdb26caddbf1f2f6f06","parentId",5583084,"title","Police department advances hiring; three positions remain open","audioSeconds",71,"startMs",243695,"endMs",314860,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5583084-3d698b7bec6b5bdb26caddbf1f2f6f06&start=243&end=314","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5583084-3d698b7bec6b5bdb26caddbf1f2f6f06/thumbnail_243695.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6138516/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Police-department-advances-hiring-three-positions-remain-open","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138516-934c1489adb53f2ae0a6270e7afab3f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393215&Signature=DWd-ard8EFpZhYOn0y1Mu6g966arjNuBJBHqD2DmJsa53p47ngX7GRSU56TMgoimFNQiJwxfSKjDUaiMIqEQQuwJ4ZjeyRPm3UVRhevNfWPo1wBVUkxDTnOdufni2GlaGuic0rUHX7xV26pa3yw81uRrz04veZC93r-wP4KRSLNIngDf3Hi3SuKln77ZoCcig2c69WDvuLusK2BSIXnJbB2aYJeySPLEEGLgSd1GxG8J6EgwUE4kWVEzxaot3ETOAg2Ah81HTG7G87lpGM3wdw8UBPK4u-80Uchfwtjl9GG3OQfH25F~rULtZ5n0HZXWUmbtZh8ajI-AJ1AeKAIQcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Columbia IN","date","2025-08-13T14:03:08Z","article","The police department reported Tuesday that it received 33 applications for open officer positions and that 28 candidates will proceed to testing after several applicants withdrew for medical or other reasons. Department staff said three sworn positions remain open.
Staff reported that Officer Sturgis is expected to graduate from the police academy on Aug. 22 and will return to duty thereafter. The department said school resource officers are preparing to return to schools for the fall semester and that internal promotions included selecting Rachel for the second-shift dispatch lead position.
The department also noted recent community outreach: a scam-and-fraud presentation at St. Paul LaCrosse (presented by Deputy Chief Anderson) and the Wheels of Whitley County event, which staff said had strong attendance and local business engagement.
Direction: The department will proceed with testing of 28 applicants and continue recruitment to fill the three open positions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia City Common Council Meeting 08122025","oneSentenceSummary","City police officials reported they received 33 applications for vacancies and will advance 28 candidates to testing; three positions remain open, and Officer Sturgis is scheduled to graduate from the academy on Aug. 22.","taxTitle","Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana","taxId",63763,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6138521,"City outlines utility and public works projects including Eagle Park completion, hydrant flushing and new generation plans",326,195120,521255,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5583084-3d698b7bec6b5bdb26caddbf1f2f6f06&start=195&end=521","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5583084-3d698b7bec6b5bdb26caddbf1f2f6f06/thumbnail_195120.jpg","/articles/6138521/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/City-outlines-utility-and-public-works-projects-including-Eagle-Park-completion-hydrant-flushing-and-new-generation-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138521-1d2a26d3f8465c987323d41265897a3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393214&Signature=jSGjp8PajaYzY~syrhFRG15yk~SyykjSwbXIvgzgZ-k3mBe4OPOV3nx44C9fOGvCe-BIo1JjcjvMxhcByrwQEoDxY~ST9LPeQFpdvzSe2wt06yUOd4TN8MEkQR79sj3W2OMHb2zqSTCtxkI4BHodHbhqUcWyR2etybk9YqpnGlzY0uSjzXJ3VTjPOL9ESnn5BiJ8-isKqc~Og3BGBwNvFWuack3ojwKC3aAJ8dV1PjQrH9l1qcOco2E5yM2uo8h0HTvy-w0~eUk1pXfbz1MR~NlNiiqZxp8vRGLr9fPqFHP03mbdoBmPRDXgTQb3TmcYWx0JvT-yX5tTPr4wqy-Syw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City department reports Tuesday covered several ongoing utility and public works projects: Eagle Park and the Blue River Trail are near completion, hydrant-flushing to reduce temporary water discoloration is scheduled for the weeks after schools resume, and utility staff described plans to build a 250-megawatt combustion turbine to maintain local generation capacity.
Parks and public works: Staff said Eagle Park is about 95% complete; one concrete ramp and work at a railroad crossing remain. Public Wi-Fi and most park cameras are installed; one additional camera will be positioned over a swing area. The park sign is operating, and information systems staff are completing setup so park staff can operate the sign.
Water system and hydrant flushing: Staff said hydrant flushing across the city will start after schools resume to address periodic discoloration; they emphasized that the water is safe and that flushing should clear sediment caused by pressure shifts. The flushing schedule may run several weeks and is intended to reduce customer calls about discoloration.
Sewer and treatment: Staff reported that repairs to sludge equipment were completed in-house, saving the city thousands of dollars, and that staff converted one irrigation/storage tank into an aerobic digester to provide temporary sludge storage while another tank is taken out of service. Officials said they are meeting with a contractor to discuss ammonia issues in the treatment process.
Electric and transmission projects: Utility staff said they continue full replacement of select distribution lines, noting a high failure rate on a key east-west alley substation line between Van Buren and Jackson Streets and plans to rebuild that line. They completed engineering for a radio-road transmission-line section and plan an RFP for materials to secure better lead times. Staff reported a recent high bond rating and said the city bonded to purchase equipment for a planned 250-megawatt combustion turbine in Anderson to replace retiring coal generation and reduce reliance on market purchases.
Equipment and fleet: One ordered bucket truck was delayed and is expected before year-end; staff are seeking quotes for a 77-foot bucket truck intended for tree trimming and line work. The county is adding DEF pumps at a shared fueling station to streamline diesel fuel handling for city vehicles.
Direction: Staff will issue an RFP for materials on the transmission project, proceed with hydrant flushing on the schedule described, continue sludge and ammonia follow-up with contractors, and keep council informed about progress on the combustion turbine procurement and equipment deliveries.","Department heads reported Wednesday that Eagle Park and the Blue River Trail are nearly complete, hydrant-flushing to address temporary water discoloration will begin when school resumes, and utility officials described plans to add a 250-megawatt combustion turbine to bolster local generation and reduce market exposure.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6138526,"State auditors begin review as city narrows budget gap; meetings to move to YouTube",229,1041365,1271125,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5583084-3d698b7bec6b5bdb26caddbf1f2f6f06&start=1041&end=1271","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5583084-3d698b7bec6b5bdb26caddbf1f2f6f06/thumbnail_1041365.jpg","/articles/6138526/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/State-auditors-begin-review-as-city-narrows-budget-gap-meetings-to-move-to-YouTube","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138526-1d5ecf7fe42b00b1b11888a2700f43f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393214&Signature=hrcdqQg6AegG5RXfhoB6I3rJtNjyDgp8slMEVO-6XuZ8feS3HNXT0x-XR3HUNpfjrs07CPDPsMvl1wsgws5~sQbKvi8dewGorU13RmAdH9wR4ZPGioPx6bVkQaudgR3nCTiJBetPWprNUSbTELC2lCuQFzLQbJh~byPGoa73t9PZkiX7Lhi~6z56qMLCtSqTfdZuolDhCw8McLwqgZaMQpJZSYUYOacCYhXq-MqlQtsVaIExnwGCth6bXgQJuiaR86tkAPPIpUY1uoDsnsAiGWH9oXxSyZKYsClwNjuGGAU3-6tlTiFx7oZ-8RkgFmNYHbn2TJiqa7RctwJZvxRd5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State auditors from the Indiana State Board of Accounts started an onsite review of the city's 2023 and 2024 records Tuesday, and city staff told the Common Council they are working on budget adjustments that start from an estimate of about $400,000 in needed reductions.
Rosie, a city staff member presenting updates, said that Leslie is attending a State Board of Accounts class and that the auditors had set up in a conference room at City Hall to begin their audit of the 2023 and 2024 records. Rosie and staff are working together on the budget; initial estimates identified roughly $400,000 of potential reductions to be refined as accounting and assessed values are finalized.
Rosie also told the council that the city's tax rate position remains relatively low compared with other Indiana cities: she said the city is the ninth-lowest of 120 Indiana cities in city tax rate. She said staff will continue refining budget assumptions and that the preliminary $400,000 figure is a starting point and subject to change.
Separately, staff said the city will shift live streaming for council and other municipal meetings from Facebook to YouTube in September because of recent changes in Facebook's handling of videos. City staff are working with Nathan Bilger from the county to set up YouTube livestreams; the move is intended to make recorded meetings available for public access and archival purposes.
Rosie also clarified the city's contribution to Mission 25: opioid settlement or local opioid-program funds have been used for program operations at the Mission 25 facility, not for constructing the building, Rosie said.
Direction: Staff will continue budget work with the auditor and bring refined numbers and proposed cuts to the council as accounting and assessed valuation detail is finalized. The livestream transition is scheduled to begin in September pending technical setup.","State Board of Accounts auditors started work on the city's 2023-2024 audit while staff outlined initial budget-reduction work that begins from an estimated $400,000 shortfall; city officials said public meetings will begin livestreaming on YouTube in September rather than Facebook.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6138528,"Council approves early payoff of 2006 water bonds",112,64721,177140,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5583084-3d698b7bec6b5bdb26caddbf1f2f6f06&start=64&end=177","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5583084-3d698b7bec6b5bdb26caddbf1f2f6f06/thumbnail_64721.jpg","/articles/6138528/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Council-approves-early-payoff-of-2006-water-bonds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138528-87e9161865cef655824e9ef3561b2cb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393214&Signature=eZbOw-knVsACdEM7KbvFFYvDbt6T5CJOPe-OYbWMj242SlSikBSV7bipgOSxjJ29DCEmLrydBk6-Tjfs9cpkuDld35cvi0JQu6QZiTwKDkcgftor1WvBKB6OAgLSnOz3GMqRj6Dvok6VinhovazDm3Ql54D-B8T5dEkTUmrumkVq~ssi5G5pFBey-Xp2z2teducKvGelgYDb1zkvPwiVi65rl7m-iXueQdKSzEHHfW0b7rmvXu7V3tJcWeSvmKByoDJ5~gZxXLNwN5Ff6IGelf0FQrUZoSoHD9zkQwcaCSwG7CKnJwIg9RT18eoA7eA6rz24LKAxzDU-lfUf408ncQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Common Council voted Tuesday to authorize staff to pay off the city's 2006 water bond early using money in the city's debt reserve account, officials reported. Rosie, a city staff member who presented the item, said the payoff amount is $186,000 and that early retirement of the bond would save the water utility about $198,000 compared with continuing on the existing schedule.
The council's approval matters because it reduces the city's outstanding debt for the water utility and will free funds the utility can apply to its operating needs, Rosie said. City staff confirmed the legal and banking checks needed to proceed: Marsha reviewed the bond counsel's paperwork and the city's accountant, Buzz Groen, confirmed available funds in the debt reserve account.
Rosie told the council that Ice Miller, the city's bond counsel, and the city's bank had reviewed the payoff, and staff recommended moving forward. A member moved to approve paying off the bond early and another member seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously.
Discussion: Council members asked staff whether payoff required additional approvals from counsel or the bank. Rosie and staff said those checks had been completed and that paying early would reduce the water department's future interest costs. No alternative financing or offset was proposed during the discussion.
Decision/direction: Council formally authorized staff to complete the early payoff. Staff will coordinate with bond counsel and the bank to execute the transaction and apply the savings to the water utility's financial plan.
The council recessed to other business after the vote. Staff thanked Buzz Groen and Marsha for their assistance and the council for the approval.","The Common Council voted unanimously to use funds in the city's debt reserve account to pay off 2006 water bonds early, officials said, freeing roughly $186,000 of principal and producing about $198,000 in projected savings for the water utility.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Police department advances hiring; three positions remain open

City outlines utility and public works projects including Eagle Park completion, hydrant flushing and new generation plans

State auditors begin review as city narrows budget gap; meetings to move to YouTube

Council approves early payoff of 2006 water bonds