Casey council discusses raising contribution to CWT Fire Association, schedules joint meeting

At the Oct. 7 meeting, Councilmember Bret Wedemeyer raised the need to increase Casey's annual contribution to the CWT Fire Association, saying the Association lacked funds for a fire truck payment. Mayor Nicholas Lindberg asked Thompson Township Trustee Jim Oberholtz about that township's action; Oberholtz said Thompson voted to pay $7,000 this fiscal year but had budgeted $12,000 in case the Association voted to raise contributions.

City Clerk Gwen Blass told the council Thompson Township had paid two payments of $3,500 per fiscal year as per an agreement and that two earlier checks from Thompson were not cashed by the Association treasurer but later were deposited. Trustee Brian Rumple said he had checked the Association bank balance and that it contained more than enough funds to make the payment; Rumple also obtained loan amount, payment and term information and provided that information to the council.

Councilmember Rick Richter argued that the Association holds funds that could be used for a truck and cautioned against raising local property taxes by moving from $7,000 directly to $12,000. Councilmember Richter requested the last four years of financial records from the CWT Fire Association treasurer. Mayor Lindberg said he would organize a joint meeting with Thompson and Walnut townships, the Casey City Council and the Casey Fire Department to determine the appropriate contribution level and next steps.