By Jackie Gorski
Times-Union

ETNA GREEN – Police protection for Etna Green was one of the topics discussed in regards to the town setting up a tax increment finance increment district during a hearing held by the Etna Green Town Council Wednesday.

The hearing was held before the regular council meeting.

Resident Dave Price asked if the town is going to do anything about improving police protection in town before it tries to increase the town’s population.

Council President Keith Claassen said the town has a contract with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office for police protection. They have increased their surveillance in town, besides coming in on overtime and doing rounds.

“That’s basically all we can do without going back to hiring a new police officer, which would raise everybody’s taxes” by a lot, he said.

He said if Etna Green hired a town marshal, the person would move on after they’re trained. Claassen said the people who are going to cause issues know when law enforcement is involved and he said there’s only so many hours a town marshal can work. Claassen said he thought it may possibly be worse going that route.

Claassen said the equipment and training for police officers is not cheap and would be big increases in taxes for residents.

Price said he understands that, but what Etna Green currently is doing is not slowing down traffic on Walnut Street, which he claimed is a drag street. He also brought up kids running around town.

The number of police officers in Bourbon was brought up. Clerk-Treasurer Patti Cook said Bourbon has about three or four times the population Etna Green does, and Claassen said Bourbon’s taxes are also higher than Etna Green’s.

Claassen said he thought it is a matter of communication with KCSO and they could see what changes can be made.

Changing the police protection won’t make a significant difference, Claassen said. If the residents want to go that way, he’s going to hear it from the residents.

A cost study would have to be done to see what the cost of equipment, salary and a place to put officers. Baker Tilly would have to do a rate study to see how much it would raise taxes.

Claassen said if the town wants to go that way, that’s the decision of the town.

“Something has to be done,” Price said.

Claassen said he’d like for everyone to obey the laws, but it’s the same problems the town has always had to some extent, even when it had a town marshal. He said police protection around town needs improvement and it’s something that needs constant addressing.

After the discussion of police protection, Greg Fitzloff, business partner with Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, answered questions on the housing development and TIF district.

Fitzloff said, right now, KEDCO has a pending purchase agreement on the property, which is an 18.8-acre piece of land adjacent to Heritage Park. About 30 to 35 single-family homes will be put on the property. A Planned Unit Development is not being looked at for the property. The price range for the houses will be $250,000 to $300,000.

KEDCO will purchase the property and oversee the development.

Fitzloff said, at this point, obtaining bonds to fund the TIF district is a possibility, but is not the only option. There a benefit for the town to go the bond route, but KEDCO’s thought is to go with the least risky route for funding.

Any money to fund the TIF is not coming out of the town’s budget.

Claassen said any negotiations that are done with the developer is still down the line.

Fitzloff said an estimated 40 to 80 people will come from the housing development, which Fitzloff said is manageable over the next five to 10 years.

He said, normally, property taxes are separated and goes to the town, school system and county. With a TIF district, 100% of the property taxes are collected by the town. It will allow the town to use the funds for the benefit of the district, which can include police protection or equipment. It can’t be used for general operating expenses.

Claassen said there is a need for more local housing. It is a necessary thing to keep the town growing.

The topic will come back to the Council at least two more times before a final approval. No final decisions have been made.

Claassen said where the town is with the TIF district, the town is not committed financially to anything at this point. They are just setting up the process to get the district started.

During its regular meeting, the Council:

• Approved the annual contract for fire coverage from the Etna Township Fire Department.
• Was reminded Santa is going to be at Heritage Park from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
• Approved the annual KEDCO contract for $3,000.
• Will have its year-end meeting at 10 a.m. Dec. 30.