At a Pierceton Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 26, for approval of the town’s 2023 budget are from left: Council Member Tom Barker, Council President Mandy Espinoza, Town Clerk-Treasurer Myra Mast and Council Vice President Matt Brubaker. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — The town of Pierceton is planning to have more than $1.6 million in its 2023 budget.

At a special meeting, on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Pierceton Community Building, the Pierceton Town Council adopted the budget.

The council had originally planned to adopt the budget at its regular monthly meeting on Oct. 10. However, there was not a quorum to vote on the budget then as only two members were present, with one being Council Vice President Matt Brubaker.

He has to abstain from voting on the budget as part of it includes monies for the Pierceton fire department, which Brubaker serves on.

Pierceton’s proposed budget is $1,655,756, which is $147,299 more than the 2022 budget of $1,508,457.

The 2023 budget breaks down to: $30,000 in the rainy day fund; $499,537 in the general fund; $75,500 in the local road and street fund; $136,970 in the motor vehicle highway fund; $150,000 in the cumulative bridge and street fund; $5,000 in the continuing education fund; $15,050 in the park fund; $14,000 in the park non-reverting fund – capital; $10,000 in the building demolition fund; $8,000 in the cumulative capital improvement fund from cigarette tax; $45,000 in the cumulative capital development fund; $90,000 in county economic development income tax (CEDIT); $312,750 in the redevelopment general fund; $20,000 in the Christmas lights fund; $0 in the trailway fund; $3,000 in the skate park fund; $10,000 in restricted donations; and $230,949 in the ARPA Fund.

The council’s next meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, at the Pierceton Community Building.