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Sandy Strickland of Zionsville (left) and Lolly Glasel of Indianapolis attended the Garden Party luncheon at The Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse show Thursday, Aug. 14. Strickland won the Most Outrageous Hat award. The garden party raised $3,100 for Riley Children’s Foundation. Photo by Jennifer Dawson/Times Sentinel
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Susan Fairchild of Zionsville and her dog Rumor strike a pose at the Garden Party luncheon. Photo by Jennifer Dawson/Times Sentinel
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Robert Kraut rides his horse, Platinum Performance for Life, Friday, Aug. 15, as it makes the last jump of the competition during the Fortune Grand Prix. The horse is owned by Pollyrich Farms. Photo by Eric Smith/Times Sentinel
Engle wins $60,000 grand prix
Engle wins $60,000 grand prix projects within the TIF area, such as the project to reconstruct 106th Street between Zionsville Road and U.S. 421.
The town also has set aside $3.5 million for working capital and $700,000 for a rainy day fund. The working capital is essentially interchangeable with the rainy day fund, but is specifically in place to cushion the town’s budget until the state provides the town’s allotted tax distribution. The state is behind on distributing the 2008 tax draw, and many Indiana towns will have to take out loans to make ends meet until it arrives.
For the rainy day fund, Mitro said every town should have money stashed away in case of a disaster.
While a major natural disaster is unlikely, there are impending fiscal challenges facing Zionsville, as well as every town in Indiana.
For example, the state legislature passed a large-scale tax reform bill this spring that caps residential property taxes at 1 percent. The Legislative Services Agency calculated that when the reform goes into effect in 2010, Zionsville will lose nearly $800,000 per year because 93 percent of the town is zoned residential.
In addition, the proposed government reorganization plan on the ballot in November means uncertainty for the town’s finances. Although town officials will prepare for the expansion that would go into effect in 2010, there could be growing pains as the town adjusts to a new government structure.
“This is a very good place to be with both of those things looming over our head,” Mitro said of the town’s reserves. “We want to maintain a budget that is fundable and not dip into reserves.”
He believes the main reason Zionsville has been able to maintain a healthy budget is because department heads have been prudent in their spending.
“We routinely underspend our budget,” Mitro said. “It’s almost a contest between our department heads to see who can bring the most back at the end of the year. Many communities view budget as ‘use it or lose it’, but we encourage being more prudent.”
- Local News
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Battery reported by woman
A woman reported that her estranged husband had hit her over the head with his hand, which had a ring on it, in the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 31.
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United Way sets new records
The United Way of Central Indiana in Boone County is raising the bar this year with several record highs.
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Shine on
The event raised more than $10,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. To donate, visit http://memorywalk10.kintera.org/indianapolis/lacyslightsamy, go to Akard True Value Hardware,
75 Boone Village Shopping Center or mail to Alzheimer's Association Greater Indiana Chapter,
50 E. 91st St. Indianapolis , IN 46240. Put “Lacy's Lights” or Z’Sparkle Party and Drag Race” for the donation to count towards the event.
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PAC says yes to referendum
A group of local residents have joined forces to create a political action committee to help pass Zionsville Community Schools’ operating budget referendum.
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Logo trickles into Zionsville
Zionsville’s rebranding effort is on the move. The logo, which is now complete, is starting to pop up around town.
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Budget hammered out as public hearing nears
As the Zionsville Town Council’s budget public hearing, set for Tuesday, Sept. 7 nears, members tried to get budget questions answered and issues resolved at its agenda setting meeting Monday, Aug. 30.
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Zville man found guilty of selling cocaine
Frank Bearquiver, 32, may have exchanged $80 for decades in prison.
- Community calendar for Sept. 1
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Group in infancy stages of aiding Main Street
An informal group is now starting to discuss aiding Zionsville’s Main Street businesses.
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New station allows quick arrival to working fire
Fire crews were on the scene of a rural mobile home fire within four minutes of the alarm.
Zionsville fire Chief Jamie VanGorder said the firefighter’s response time was a critical factor in saving a significant portion of the home.
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Battery reported by woman
