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Dayton council approves meter installations, town-hall HVAC replacement and consolidates stipends for 2025 budget
Summary
At a special Aug. 7 meeting, the Dayton Town Council authorized a contract for Brenneco to install water meters, approved an $8,100 quote to replace the town-hall HVAC system, and voted 3–2 to combine non-elected stipends into a single salary line for the 2025 budget after a line-by-line review.
Town Board President Marc Buhrmester called a special meeting of the Dayton Town Council on Aug. 7, 2024, where the council approved three operational measures related to utilities, facilities and the 2025 budget.
The council authorized a contract with Brenneco to install water meters and test water pressure at $255 per meter, with a 15% discount if four or more meters are installed at one time. Town Board President Marc Buhrmester moved to allow himself to sign the Brenneco contract; Utility Vice President Leah Copas seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote: Carla Snodgrass — yes; Marc Buhrmester — yes; Rocky Richards — yes; Leah Copas — yes; Steve Schuhle — yes.
Clerk-Treasurer Bridget Cadwallader told the council that three vendors (Brand, Yoder and Blue Fox) had inspected the town-hall HVAC and recommended replacing both the AC unit and the furnace because of age and condition. Council Member Steve Schuhle moved to accept a replacement quote from Keys Heating and Cooling for $8,100; Utility President Carla Snodgrass seconded. The motion passed unanimously on roll call.
Cadwallader also led the council through the proposed 2025 budget using materials from Indiana Alliance, explaining the sources for each fund and stating the proposed budget is "fundable and sustainable" and that the budget may be decreased but not increased after the public hearing in September. During that review, Leah Copas moved to combine all stipends into the non-elected officials' salary line; Marc Buhrmester seconded. The motion carried 3–2 with votes recorded as: Steve Schuhle — yes; Leah Copas — yes; Rocky Richards — no; Marc Buhrmester — yes; Carla Snodgrass — no. Councilors discussed a temporary $300 monthly increase being paid to Dan Torres while additional time in town was required until a utility superintendent is hired and trained.
Cadwallader said the Cable Franchise Fee Fund may become dormant; during the public-comment period, Vicki Beavers of Main Street questioned whether the council was comfortable with town finances and noted that a board member had said they did not take the position for a paycheck while "the Police took their job for a paycheck." Council Member Steve Schuhle responded that the board member referenced was being fiscally responsible.
Town Board President Marc Buhrmester adjourned the meeting after the votes.
