Members of the Syracuse Redevelopment Commission discuss encumbrances at its regular meeting.
On the left, looking on, is Mark Aurich, Syracuse public works superintendent. Seated at the table, clockwise are Jeff Goralczyk, president, Nathan Scherer, Jim Layne, Virigina Cazier, clerk-treasurer; David Wilkinson, town manager; Cory Mast and Don Bokhart, president of the Wawasee School Board. Photo by Lauren Zeugner

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE —  In a very short meeting, the Syracuse Redevelopment Commission approved encumbering the Syracuse Tax Increment Finance for $51,705 to pay for engineering work on the municipal parking lot on Pearl Street. A & Z Engineering won the bid for the work. The redevelopment commission held its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, Dec. 19.

The council also approved a second encumbrance from the Syracuse TIF for the West Pickwick lift station for a cost of $42,050.

Nathan Scherer, commission president, pointed out TIF money is typically not used for maintenance. David Wilkinson, town manager, pointed out it could be if there was a desperate need for the repair. Wilkinson also pointed out the Syracuse TIF hasn’t been used for 10 years and has about $1 million in it.

Wilkinson reported he received a call from Elkhart County regarding lot No. 7 in the Tech Park. Lot No. 7 has massive utilities going underneath it. Elkhart County will be removing it from its website as an available property. Wilkinson suggested donating the Tech Park to the park’s association.