North Judson Town Council Discusses Umbaugh Contract and Change to the Town’s Point of Contact

Posted on January 19, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, wkvi

The North Judson Town Council members renewed the town’s contract with Umbaugh and Associates when they met Monday evening.

Council President Wendy Hoppe mentioned that Umbaugh really helped save the town money last year. The council members noted that the contract appeared to be identical to last years and Town Attorney Justin Schramm said he felt comfortable moving forward with it.

The contract secures Umbaugh for consulting services related to the 2019 Budget and any other financial matters. There’s a $7,000 maximum for budget consultation, but if all the time is not used then the town will not be charged the full amount.

Though no changes were made to the agreement itself, Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe mentioned that there has been a switch in who serves as the town’s point of contact. He said he initially worked with Eric Walsh, but now that Walsh has become a partner, he’s working with another employee.

The new point of contact is Jeffery Weaver, who is in the process of taking his CPA exam. Rowe added that though Weaver has been helpful with certain things, he doesn’t feel that he’s receiving the same quality of assistance as before.

“… I think there are some things that might be new to him, it’s as simple as that…We work in Keystone and he’s not especially skilled in Keystone…but coming here it’s almost like we’re figuring things out together and I don’t know, I just expected for $140 an hour that it would have been a little different.”

Clerk-Treasurer Rowe said he wasn’t interested in discontinuing services with Umbaugh and he felt that Weaver was doing a good job with the aspects is was familiar with but he just wanted to alert the council members of the changes.

The contract was unanimously approved and Councilman John Rowe noted that if they are unsatisfied with the service they receive this year, they can look to renegotiate next year.

North Judson Council Discusses Utility Rate Increases

Posted on May 5, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI

The North Judson Town Council will soon consider increasing water and sewer rates for the first time since 2008. CPA Eric Walsh with Umbaugh and Associates says the current rates are not adequate to cover operating costs, which has forced the town to dip into its reserves.

He recommends an increase of about $6 per month for a residential water customer with an average usage of 4,000 gallons. That cost includes sales tax and the fire hydrant fee.

On the sewer side, the average customer’s bill would go up by $8 per month if the town accepts Walsh’s recommendations.

He told the council during a special-called meeting last night even though the fund balance report indicates there’s money in both the water and sewer line items, the town is required to maintain minimum cash balances due to existing bond obligations.

Town officials were unaware of that requirement but agreed rates need to be raised in order to remain fiscally responsible.

Walsh notes the proposed increases are still well below what other similar-size communities are charging for utilities.

He’s going to work with North Judson Town Attorney Justin Schramm on ordinances for the proposed increase in hopes of having them ready to introduce at the May 15 town council meeting.

A public hearing will be scheduled before any final action is taken.

North Judson Council to Consider Cumulative Capital Development Fund Reestablishment

Posted on February 24, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

North Judson residents may soon see a bit of a tax increase. The town council is working with accounting firm Umbaugh and Associates to reestablish a cumulative capital development fund.

Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins says the town currently has one, but since the tax rate decreases over time, it’s down to just over 0.01 percent. The reestablishment would boost that level back up to 0.05 percent.

Collins adds that residents will have the chance to ask questions and offer input on the cumulative capital development fund during a public hearing on Monday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m., before the council makes a final decision.

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Prepares for Upcoming Year

Published: June 16, 2015

By: Mary Perren, WKVI

Summer vacation just started, but the North Judson-San Pierre School Board is already preparing for the coming year. Tonight’s school board agenda includes discussion of Title I participation, textbook fees and student handbooks for the 2015-16 school year.

Other agenda items include salary schedules for transportation, non-certified employees and non-instructional salaried employees as well as administrative salaries. The school board meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the central office.

School officials will discuss finances in greater detail during a special Wednesday evening “preparing for a referendum” town hall meeting at the high school auditorium. CPA Curt Pletcher with accounting firm Umbaugh and Associates will talk about funding challenges the school corporation is facing due to a combination of declining enrollment and cuts to various funding sources. Taxpayers who live within the North Judson-San Pierre school district are encouraged to attend the 7 p.m. meeting.