At the Etna Green Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8, are from left: Town Council President Heath Roberts; Town Council Members Susan Klinefelter and Keith Claassen; and Town Clerk-Treasurer Patti Cook. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ETNA GREEN — Etna Green is planning for a budget of more than $322,000 for 2025.

At its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Etna Green Town Council had a second hearing on the budget of $322,429.

No one from the public commented during it, and afterward the council adopted the budget.

It breaks down to: $300 in the rainy day fund; $182,445 in the general fund; $13,390 in the local road and street fund; $34,333 in the motor vehicle highway fund; $7,807 in the park and recreation fund; $2,300 in the cumulative capital improvement fund from cigarette tax; $1,854 in the cumulative capital development fund; and $80,000 in economic development income tax.

In other business, the council:

• Approved after much discussion having Astbury Water Technology provide street department help for the town at a rate of $155,000 a year, with employees from the company coming in for 35 hours a week. Town Council President Heath Roberts and Council Member Susan Klinefelter voted for the measure, with Town Council Member Keith Claassen voting against. Leaders stated the measure is to help provide services for the town for a year while Town Superintendent Bryan Long is being trained, with plans to seek another employee after that time is up.
• Supported allowing Owen Norman and his family to raise goats for 4-H at their home in town. The measure has to also be approved by Kosciusko County.
• Approved writing off two utility accounts with a combined total balance of $605.
• Accepted two Clearly Kosciusko signs from Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Cori Humes. She’s been giving the signs to all municipalities in the county to promote the Clearly Kosciusko brand and for tourism purposes.
• Heard a brief talk on what the Kosciusko Area Bus Service does from its General Manager Kristin Rude.

The council’s next meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Etna Green Town Hall.