By JONATHAN SNYDER
Council member Scott Mentzer introduced a plan to fund a new website where citizens can request and notify city departments of issues, watch live streams of city board meetings and view the city’s geographic information system so zoning areas and different development sites are readily accessible.
CivicPlus, who has developed websites for government municipalities in the past, was the low bid and will be helping develop the software. They have built websites for Elkhart, Greenville and Lafayette among other Indiana cities.
“This fits the need nearly 100 percent,” said council member Rick Elwell. The other council members — Janella Stronczek, Josh Hunt and Chandler Gerber — seemed thrilled with the potential the site gives for streamlining government processes and for transparency from different government boards.
“This website sets the tone for the city going into the next several years,” commented Gerber.
The council approved the initial $37,000 investment to implement the technology needed, but there will be a separate ongoing annual fee to maintain the technology.
In addition to the website, Mayor John Whicker notified the council that the Northeastern Indiana Regional Coordinating Council will conduct a transportation study in Bluffton over the next few months. Cameras will be posted at different locations purely to record the amount of vehicles traveling in different areas. License plates and other data will not be recorded, assured Whicker.
The council also approved of the first reading of an ordinance to appropriate $500,000 to pay for any paving projects the city needs. This is the 50 percent match of the $1 million grant given to Bluffton by Community Crossings, which seeks to help cities make improvements to local roads and bridges. A second reading will be heard on Dec. 19.
Whicker also notified the council that the city signed off on a resolution to adopt Wells County’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. This was done so Bluffton can receive access to federal relief funds in case a flood or tornado hits the city.
Moreover, the council tabled a request of $5,000 to pay for a vehicle for Hannah’s House. Hannah’s House is an organization that provides support for women coming out of domestic violence and drug abuse situations. The council is willing to fund the expense, but needed time to ensure that the money will be spent through proper channels.
Furthermore, the council approved budget transfers for both the Bluffton Fire Department and the Parks and Recreation Department. The fire department will transfer $2,000 from the equipment line item to the other services and charges line item to pay a service fee to Aladtec, a service that helps schedule firefighters to be on call.
The parks department will be moving $1,272 from the crafts, office supplies and personal services line items to the insurance and bonds line item to pay for any outstanding workers compensation fees.
jonathan@news-banner.com
