By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

Salem officials are still considering a water rate increase but have delayed any decisions until a report is heard from the task force that is currently examining the utility. The matter was discussed during the Monday, June 10, meeting of the Salem Common Council.

The Council reviewed a rate study from Baker Tilly, the city’s consulting firm. It indicated the city is not in compliance with federal standards for a required cash reserve for the utility. The rate increases were presented in two options: the first was split into two phases, the second is a one-time rate increase.

The rates were calculated based on three years’ data with the aim to maintain the utility’s future cash reserve, fund the utility’s maintenance, and to pay salaries.

It was noted that inflation has increased the operating costs for utilities. Also, the city doesn’t qualify for grants or bonds because the ratepayers aren’t paying enough to maintain the utility.

Councilman Steve Crane asked if the decision should be made after the task force submits its report to city officials. His concern was echoed by Councilman Roger Pennington, who proposed the formation of the task force earlier this year.

Pennington said the task force meets weekly and is expected to return with recommendations to improve the water utility in about two months. Any decisions made about water rates taken before then would be “premature,” he said.

“I think it would be responsible to hold off,” Pennington said. He made a motion to table the discussion, followed by a unanimous vote that upheld the motion.

Councilman Dan Libka was absent from the meeting.

The city currently carries a $4 million debt for its sewer utility and $14 million for its water utility.

There does seem to be a consensus among the Council’s members that water rate increases are needed and inevitable.

In other business:
*The Council approved the survey of a section of Crown Hill Cemetery for use for green burials. Such burials forgo the use of traditional embalming chemicals and the use of any burial vessels that aren’t compostable.
*Two bids were opened for a city-owned parcel at 203 S. Mill St. It was noted that the property needs to be cleared of debris and the house needs repair to make it habitable. The bids were for $5,000 and $12,501. The bids were accepted for review.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita cautioned local officials in several Indiana cities and counties that he will pursue legal action against them after July 1 if they refuse to follow laws aimed at apprehending illegal immigrants.

Attorney General Rokita’s office sent a blunt message to officials in East Chicago, Gary, West Lafayette and Monroe County: Confirm you have rescinded local policies that enable illegal immigration — or face swift legal consequences starting July 1.

“The flood of illegal immigrants entering the United States is a problem that harms all of us,” Attorney General Rokita said. “The ones paying the price for this lawlessness are Hoosier taxpayers, who must bear increased costs for health care, education and other services used by illegal immigrants.”

The Indiana General Assembly passed a law this year authorizing the attorney general to file lawsuits against any Indiana colleges, universities or units of local government not enforcing current Indiana laws banning sanctuary cities.

A "sanctuary city" is a term for a local unit of government that has adopted a policy to deliberately and intentionally disregard federal law and not cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Town hall attendees and some state representatives have decried these “immigrant welcome centers” popping up around the state, expressing worries that crime and illegal, cheap labor will displace current residents in places like Johnson and Jackson counties.

“We welcome want-to-be-patriots to the United States who will add value to our country and want to live their lives under the values this country was founded upon,” Attorney General Rokita said. “The first way they can show that is by following our laws. Those who do not follow our laws by entering our country legally should not be allowed to stay.”

Attorney General Rokita has sent letters to officials in the cities of East Chicago, Gary, West Lafayette and Monroe County — warning them of impending action if they do not repeal current policies violating Indiana law.

The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) has received national recognition for its Indiana Family Preservation Services program, which provides in-home support to strengthen families and improve outcomes while reducing the number of children entering the foster care system.

The program, which launched in June 2020, has been designated a promising practice by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare. The program also was highlighted as an example of how new approaches to child welfare practice can enhance child and family well-being in an April report by the Christensen Institute. On Wednesday, David Reed, MSW, LCSW, CSAYC, deputy director for child welfare services at DCS, spoke about the program’s positive impact before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance.

The Indiana Family Preservation Services program is designed to keep children in their home when it is safe to do so. It achieves this goal by helping families understand and implement best practices for parental resilience, child development and social connectedness. The program also can provide other support, such as financial assistance, when not doing so would result in children having to enter foster care. Most importantly, all services are coordinated by a single provider, easing the administrative burden on families by working with a single point of contact.

“Entering foster care and being separated from family is traumatic for children,” Reed said. “When we can provide the support that allows children to remain safely at home, we see vastly improved outcomes and healthier relationships over the long term.” 

Reed noted that the program has resulted in children being safer, with fewer children experiencing repeated maltreatment than before its launch. 

Additionally, since the federal Family First Prevention Services Act passed in 2018, DCS has:

•  Reduced the number of children in traditional out-of-home foster care by 50 percent 
•  Reduced the number of children in residential facilities by more than 50 percent

The Indiana Family Preservation Services program has played a critical role in those outcomes. 

Since its inception, Indiana Family Preservation Services has served more than 27,000 children and 14,000 families.

By Becky Killian
Staff Writer

The City of Salem’s dispatch department will merge into the county’s 911 effective June 1. The merger got a unanimous vote of support from the Washington County Board of Commissioners during the Tuesday, May 21, meeting.

Prior to the vote, Commissioner Todd Ewen said, “I’m tickled to death this has finally come about.” He commended Mayor Justin Green and Sheriff Brent Miller for their negotiations that resulted in the merger.

The agreement is expected to save administrative and overhead costs for both the city and county. The city will provide two dispatchers’ salaries annually in an amount not to exceed $65,000.

The merger found unanimous support from the Salem Common Council during its Monday, May 13, meeting.

The change will not result in any loss of jobs, Green said. The city’s current dispatchers will have the option of transferring to the county.

Green said both the city and county departments struggle to find adequate staffing: it is hoped the merger will alleviate that problem.

“This proposal makes sense in a lot of ways,” Green said, adding that a combined city-county dispatch is not unique to Salem and Washington County.

The interlocal agreement that details the merger offers both parties the opportunity to opt out with a 90-day notification. The agreement has a term of five years.