The Lewisport City Council approved the 2009-10 Fiscal Year Budget on second
reading Thursday evening. As part of the budget, Lewisport lowered its gas
rate 12-percent. The move costs the city approximately $170,000 in
additional revenue.

"Our budget is sound and I figured it would be a good thing to do,"
Lewisport Mayor Chad Gregory said. "It's been a long, hard year for our
taxpayers. It was a needed break not only for our residents, but for our
commercial customers as well."

When the council held the first reading of the budget last month, Gregory
proposed reducing property taxes by 25-percent, and reducing gas rates by
10-percent. The council opposed this measure in part because the tax
reduction did not apply to all city residents, but only to those persons
that owned property.

After a lengthy discussion on the matter, the council agreed to leave the
tax rate unchanged, and reduce the gas rate 12-percent. Though he wanted to
do more, Gregory liked the compromise.

"Any time you lower any rate, it does not do anything by help the residents
of Lewisport," Gregory said. "I wanted to provide an extra benefit to the
citizens of Lewisport because they are worth it."

In November of 2008, the city council passed an ordinance raising the
natural gas rate to $14.61 per metric cubic foot. The average home uses
about 20 MCF of gas per month. Based on average usage, the reduction in
rates translates into a savings of approximately $35 per month.

Budget details

The city council approved a budget of approximately $4.1 million dollars,
with revenues projected at around $4.2 million and a surplus of about
$128,000, not counting carry-over funds. Highlights of the budget include
$25,000 for a new police cruiser, $30,000 for road improvements and $5,000
for storm/disaster expenses.

The budget also includes a three-percent cost of living increase for city
employees.

In other news

Mary Lautner appeared before the city council, requesting permission to rock
part of an unimproved alley behind her house. She and husband Paul live at
1255 Holland Avenue.

The couple wants to rock part of the existing alleyway as part of a project
to build a garage on their property. The Lautners want to improve the alley
because not enough room exists beside their house to install a driveway to
the proposed garage.

The Lautners plan to pay for the gravel, if the city agrees to spread it.

The city council told Mrs. Lautner to get written permission from the
neighbors affected, then proceed with the project.