City's new EDIT plan covers variety of projects

Friday, December 12, 2014

From potentially providing jobs and recreational opportunities to taking care of both homeless residents and animals, a total $2.6 million Capital Improvement Plan runs the gamut for the City of Greencastle.

Unanimously approved by the Greencastle City Council at its December meeting earlier this week, the plan calls for how the estimated proceeds of the city's share of the Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) will be disbursed over the three-year period 2015-17.

The largest chunk of the total estimated $2,585,000 will go toward the South Street expansion project that is designed to provide another east-west access between the city's East Side and U.S. 231 South.

The long-discussed South Street project is due to go to bidding in December 2015, Mayor Sue Murray noted.

The $700,000 delineated in the EDIT plan for South Street reflects the city's 20 percent match necessary on the grant-funded project.

Figures in the newly approved EDIT plan were based on the city receiving $467,928 per year over the three years for a $1,403,784 total (that's reportedly down $63,861 from previous years). Meanwhile, the city had an EDIT balance of $1,681,581 on hand as of Nov. 21.

Council President Adam Cohen made the motion to approve the EDIT fund plan via Resolution 2014-7 as presented but stopped short of making his annual plea that the city alone cannot fight community battles like animal control and homelessness and the continued support of Rural Transit.

"I'm concerned we are becoming the sole supporter," Cohen has said repeatedly in the past. "We need for others to step up."

This time he gave credit where credit is due, praising Greencastle Township Trustee Steve Butts for stepping up to the plate to assist the Beyond Homeless operation with $7,000 from the township trustee's budget.

Meanwhile, the county has taken the lead on animal control and the potential reopening of the Humane Society shelter, both Cohen and City Attorney Laurie Robertson acknowledged.

Earlier in the meeting, new Fourth Ward Councilman Tyler Wade offered his hope for increased cooperation between city and county government in a we're-all-in-this-together assessment of the future.

Cohen seconded that notion in terms of the EDIT plan items at hand.

"The only way we're going to move forward," the City Council president said, "is for everybody to pitch in. I want to say thanks to those who are stepping up now."

The projects earmarked for city EDIT funds over 2015, 2016 and 2017 (three-year totals) are:

-- Bond repayment on City Hall building $150,000 ($50,000 due per year).

-- Homelessness (Beyond Homeless) -- $30,000.

-- Neighborhood sidewalk renovation -- $300,000.

-- South Street project engineering/land acquisition and construction -- $700,000.

-- Mapleberry Park development Phase II -- $300,000.

-- People Pathways Phase IV engineering -- $205,000.

-- Unsafe building fund -- $150,000.

-- Animal control -- $30,000.

-- Rural Transit -- $30,000.

-- Economic and Community Development -- $690,000.

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