As advertised, Warsaw’s 2013 budget is at $25,027,268 and, during Monday night’s regular meeting of the Warsaw Common Council, the budget was unanimously approved. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a done deal.

The council held the first public hearing on the budget tonight but, hearing no one speak either in favor or against the advertised amounts, a first reading vote was taken. In previous meetings, department heads were told they need to trim their budgets for next year.

Additionally, the uncertainty of medical insurance expenses for 2013 mean the city’s common council will still need more discussion before a final vote is taken on Oct. 15.

A second reading on the budget will be held at the Oct. 4 meeting. The usual meeting is on the first and third Mondays of each month, but the first October meeting has been moved to 7 p.m. on the first Thursday.

With the resolution for a new Eastern Tax Increment Financing Economic Development Area already having received approval from the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission and the Warsaw Plan Commission, the Warsaw Common Council also approved the resolution this evening. City planner Jeremy Skinner noted several projects that could be completed with tax monies collected from the district.

Among those projects, Skinner said sewers could be extended up to the Warsaw Municipal Airport and road improvements in the industrial park by Biomet – namely Bell Drive and Boeing Road – could be made to encourage further growth and development.

Skinner also said Mariner Drive and Spring Hill Road could be extended. Mariner Drive would be extended possibly to U.S. 30 to alleviate some of the traffic on Husky Trail, and Spring Hill could be extended west to perhaps expand the medical park. According to Skinner, the current medical park has reached its building capacity.

With the council’s approval of the resolution, the matter now goes back to the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission where plans will be further developed and public meetings will be scheduled.

In other city business, Mayor Joe Thallemer noted progress on the new city hall has been delayed due to scheduling conflicts with NIPSCO, meaning the building will not be open for official use until the end of October or first of November. However, he added that the public will begin to see noticeable changes to the exterior facade within the next week or two.