Cindy DiFazio - Staff Writer

At the March 9 Town of Versailles Council meeting, state budget cuts were discussed. The town recently received notice from the State of Indiana Department of Local Government Finance of 2006 budget cuts of $105,432 from the General Fund and Motor Vehicle Highway Fund (MVH). "Our total budget for 2006 was $604,082, so we are looking at a 17.5% reduction in an already tight budget," noted Clerk-Treasurer Ted Spurlock.

The town's highest items in the General Fund, other than salaries, were: trash pickup at $93,000 per year; insurance & bonds $88,000 per year; electric at $38,00 per year; and gas for vehicles and heating at $30,000 per year. These costs have all greatly increased over the past few years. Previously, the town had been able to absorb the increases with property tax dollars and monies kept in reserve. Now, the monies in reserve are very low and the tax dollars cannot cover all of the expenses.

Spurlock recommended a $10.00 per month customer charge for trash pickup to help offset the deficit. He added that the town actually should have started charging for track pickup last year. The trash will still be picked up twice a week as once a week provides very little savings over the course of a year. The $10.00 charge will begin with the May 1, 2006 billing cycle, and will be included on the water and sewer bill.

Citizens paying for a dumpster should notify the town at 812-689-6181, so they will not be charged for trash pickup.