Published: January 04, 2009 08:09 pm      

Floyd County's top stories to follow in 2009

Could 2009 bring a third Camm trial?

David Camm is still waiting for the Indiana Supreme Court to decide his fate, again. Quietly, Floyd County leaders worry about what could happen.

Camm — who has been convicted twice of murdering his wife and two children in their Georgetown home in 2000 — hopes to get a new trial after his attorney argued to the court in May that his second trial contained many errors.

Along with the possible third trial, other top stories to watch in 2009 include: a possible sewer rate increase for New Albany residents; a smoking ban for the city could be revisited as well as more code enforcement; Georgetown could finally build its own sewer plant; and what is the future of the stormwater program now that the city has taken control of it?

Camm’s two trials have already cost Floyd County more than $2 million. And each month, the county is responsible for paying Camm’s public defender tab.

“It would kill us,” County Council President Larry McAllister said of a third Camm trial. “I don’t know what we would do or where we would get the money.”

Former State Rep. Bill Cochran introduced House Bill 1692 in 2007, and the bill is still in committee. The bill requires the state to reimburse a county if the Indiana Court of Appeals or Indiana Supreme Court remands the case for a new trial. If the bill passes, it would offset the costs to the county if the Supreme Court orders a new trial.

It’s projected Floyd County will already lose $147,000 this year in state revenue and $1.2 million in 2010.

In other top stories to watch in 2009:



Sewer rate increase on horizon?

The New Albany City Council could soon vote on a proposed sewer-rate increase. The increase options would mean a jump for the average customer of between $3.57 and $7.70 a month, based on 700 cubic feet of use.

The Sewer Board approved five options in June for the council to mull over — each involving an increase in rates for users. The additional revenue would go toward funding federally required improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

An ordinance ratifying a raise would require three separate votes by the council, and the increase would go into effect 90 days after passage.

At the heart of the issue is Economic Development Income Tax, or EDIT, funds. Those funds are currently subsidizing the sewer utility — which lowers the rate for users — but takes away money that could be used for development projects.

The amount of the increase ranges from 13 percent up to 25 percent, depending on the option. The lower the hike, the more EDIT money would be used to take care of sewers.

The freed EDIT money could possibly be used for fixing streets if the latter increase is passed, but Mayor Doug England has said the hike is based on sewers, not roads.



More code enforcement in 2009

Tougher code enforcement will likely be one of Mayor England’s top priorities in 2009. England promised to lay out his code enforcement plan to the City Council when he returns from back surgery and rehabilitation, which will likely be this week.

Community Development Block Grant funds allowed the city to OK the hiring of another code officer for 2009, but they will be restricted to the CDBG area as classified through the federal program.

The scope of code enforcement is wide and covers several aspects of New Albany. Depending on who you ask, codes are tied to fire safety, property value and the general appearance of New Albany.

The code issue also is broken down into two main categories: owner-occupied housing and rentals.



Georgetown sewer plant coming in 2009?

Georgetown hopes to break ground on its sewer plant in 2009.

Floyd County agreed to loan Georgetown $1.4 million to help offset the cost of finding land west of town to build the plant.

Georgetown has been trying to build a plant for two years. New Albany’s plant currently services Georgetown, but an agreement signed in August 2006 requires the town to construct its own sewage treatment facility. If the plant is not completed by Feb. 1, Georgetown could be forced to pay triple what it pays New Albany. The rate could be switched from wholesale to retail, meaning residents could see a 50 percent increase in rates.

However, the New Albany Sewer Board gave Georgetown a two-month extension, which kept the rates at current levels. However, the board wants to see plans and a location before granting another extension.

If Georgetown is successful in its annexation suit — which is still tied up in court — the plant could still be built on the O’Brien property which sits outside of the town limits near Edwardsville.

Georgetown hopes to return to the Sewer Board in March with more concrete plans for its new plant.



What’s ahead for the stormwater utility?

Now that New Albany has taken back the operations of its stormwater utility, what’s next? Mayor England has already said he is against privatizing services, which could change trash pickup in 2009.

That topic has yet to be discussed.

However, if the city can save money by taking back trash pickup, it could be a done deal.

Environmental Management Corp. was managing stormwater and the sewer utility, and was to make $532,000 in 2009.

The mayor said the city will save money by operating the stormwater utility which could lead to more finished projects. The city had to pay EMC $200,000 for canceling the contract.



Smoking ban may not be dead issue

The New Albany City Council passed a comprehensive smoking ban last year only to have Mayor England veto the bill. However, it may not be a dead issue.

City Council President Jeff Gahan formed a committee comprised of council members Dan Coffey, Bob Caesar and Pat McLaughlin — all of whom voted in favor of the ban — to research England’s proposal to exclude bars, private clubs and restaurants that serve and employ people over the age of 21 from the smoking restrictions. The committee, however, has yet to meet.



Other stories to watch in 2009

• Floyd County leaders hope to make a decision on the Youth Shelter. Will the current North Annex be remodeled, torn down in favor of a new facility or will the shelter move to a new location?

• New Albany and Floyd County are facing financial woes. If property tax caps become permanent, more budget cuts will have to be made later this year and in 2010. Look for LOIT, or Local Optional Income Tax, to be considered again to offset the income losses.

• Now that the YMCA is finished, what happens next in downtown New Albany? What will phase two of the Scribner Place Project include? A master plan for downtown may be considered in 2009 by the City Council.

• Floyd County Superior Court No. 3 is up and running and could help lower the space issues in the jail by getting cases through the system quicker.

• Floyd County Commissioner Steve Bush said talk of remodeling the current City-County Building will heat up in 2009. The city also is looking for a new city hall to help with space issues.