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.

On Friday, May 31^st, Senator Mike Braun addressed soldiers from the Indiana National Guard 252^nd Support Maintenance Company, as well as their families and friends, at their departure ceremony before the unit deploys to Kuwait.

Senator Braun’s remarks below.

“I am so proud of the strong National Guard presence we have here in Indiana. Our National Guard are called to action to serve the Hoosier state and the country at a moment’s notice. We cannot thank you enough for your service and sacrifice.”

“The rigorous training and preparation you have endured has prepared you for this very moment. I owned a trucking and logistics company down in Jasper for many years. 

I know just how important properly maintained vehicles are to an operation, and the dedication and expertise it takes behind the scenes to keep things running. As maintenance specialists, you are critical to mission success. You work hard every day to make sure every part of the operation runs flawlessly from the vehicles to critical equipment. As you prepare to deploy abroad, remember the importance of your contributions to our state and to our nation. Your work directly strengthens our national security and I am confident in your abilities to serve and make our country proud.”

“I would also like to recognize the families of our Guard. Many of you are with us here today. Our Hoosier military families are truly unsung heroes. Thank you for your love, support, and sacrifice for our servicemembers. Let’s have a round of applause for our Indiana Guard families who sacrifice so much to help our state. As your Senator, taking care of our servicemembers, veterans, and their families have always been top of mind for me. Thank you for answering our nation’s call and for being ‘always ready, always there!’  We will be praying for your safety overseas and look forward to welcoming you home.”

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.

WASHINGTON – Senators Mike Braun, Roger Marshall, M.D., Katie Britt, Ted Budd, and Rick Scott introduced the Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act to protect small businesses from the financial burden of top-down federal regulations.

Often, when D.C. imposes regulations, it comes at a significant cost to our locally-owned businesses. In 2022 alone, complying with regulations cost American small businesses an average of $14,700 (adjusted for 2023 dollars) per employee on their payroll. The Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act alleviates these costs and requires the Administration to submit an annual report to Congress outlining the impacts of regulations on small businesses.

“We need to cut burdensome regulations on small businesses in order for Main Street to thrive. I’m proud to join Sen. Marshall on this bill to prevent big government from stacking regulations on top of America’s small businesses without removing any red tape.”—Sen. Braun

"Washington D.C.'s top-down regulatory approach hurts our small businesses – the backbone of our economy – the most. Main Street merchants are constantly under attack from this Administration's onslaught of regulations and jumping through unnecessary and costly hoops to provide services to our communities. I am proud to join Rep. Beth Van Duyne in fighting for this important legislation that addresses our small businesses' concerns and stands up to the Administration's relentless attacks."—Sen. Marshall

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this common sense legislation to alleviate burdens on small businesses, who already have to contend with persistently high inflation on top of the Biden Administration’s red tape regime. From entrepreneurs just starting out to the established, family-owned shops on local Main Streets across our great state and nation, I will continue to fight tirelessly for small businesses and the families they support.”—Sen. Britt

“The SBA’s fundamental purpose is to empower America’s small businesses, not add regulatory burdens. I’m proud to join Senator Marshall’s commonsense bill to control the regulatory state and help job creators serve their customers.”—Sen. Budd

This legislation is based on the Trump Administration policy that required agencies to repeal two regulations for every new one created. This successful policy was repealed by the Biden Administration in 2021.