[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6145628,"mediaKeyId","5532637-40b5851736eec3c81512638c68d37917","parentId",5532637,"title","Wabash Township officials urge council to approve public-safety LIT distribution as development accelerates","audioSeconds",1601,"startMs",182000,"endMs",1783000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5532637-40b5851736eec3c81512638c68d37917&start=182&end=1783","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5532637-40b5851736eec3c81512638c68d37917/thumbnail_182000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6145628/Lafayette-City/Tippecanoe-County/Indiana/Wabash-Township-officials-urge-council-to-approve-public-safety-LIT-distribution-as-development-accelerates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145628-cf071f39b152af87ab54578fd6686117/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104719&Signature=m4DONFYD85INSueB~DZ5juX5OGjA9Vgu4Yhp8eyCoznJORSGXdlSmVJf1dugjqtNraVj2e2JNtnqGzIOVjohK5pW0Fd8atcC3WhNiAR2Vu9GxiBUcWwL2cW4ngudHUhG9oKwzda8wip9z83pMNstNQvEHUKddQnCxAlIzV9EKjHfhyui9XOXtxzuWKIHKMbrWeAglQ1dzmZC9Pl5YX5WaayEcz-LLBwyqvHV3xKTh7KAHJy1n3pEY5ep4nH3rxQFSl8bQEoilGB0I2CCB0PBLbzwIRnGBGIaITNumvDXUGqQtCi~vMXN2ElIxOPcsHGx6daTJBzqrqlfKWfwyObkNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lafayette, Indiana","date","2025-08-05T18:03:56.293Z","article","WABASH TOWNSHIP — Wabash Township Trustee Angel Valentin told the Malawithia common council at a public hearing that the township's fire department needs a distribution from the county's public-safety local income tax (LIT) to cover state-mandated radio upgrades, an air-pack replacement and ambulances as the township's population grows.

Valentin said, \"This is our third year that we're requesting funds from the public safety LIT,\" and outlined that the LIT fund \"provides about 11 and a half million dollars\" annually and that units must apply by Sept. 1 under state rules. He said Wabash Township faces fast growth and equipment needs tied to an expected 55% population increase through the early 2030s and roughly 4,800 new housing units in the township's service area.

The request's nut graf: The public hearing highlighted competing claims about how LIT dollars should be distributed. Township officials said residents of unincorporated areas have paid into the public-safety tax but received no share; city and county officials said the LIT distributions support existing municipal public-safety obligations and warned reallocating funds could reduce resources available for city services.

What officials said
- Angel Valentin, Wabash Township Trustee, described staffing and equipment shortfalls and said the township seeks radio, air-pack and ambulance funding so the department can reach the 8-minute response standard. He said the township had requested funds in 2023 and 2024 but those requests were not approved.
- David Tate, a member of the Wabash Township board, said that \"by the Indiana statutes, these funds are available only to municipality and not to the unincorporated areas even though we pay into that.\" He also repeated figures Valentin gave: $11.5 million distributed annually in LIT and a cumulative total of about $58.6 million collected since February 2019.
- Ed Ward, fire chief of the Wabash Township Fire Department, told the council that residents of the unincorporated area have contributed about $5.8 million of the LIT total and that repeated requests for a portion of the distributions have not been granted.

Opposition and context
- Scott Galloway, Lafayette police chief, told the council: \"I, as the police chief of the city of Lafayette, respectfully ask that you deny this request,\" arguing the city's public-safety budget and planning depend on LIT funds already allocated to municipal services.
- Brian Alcar, Lafayette fire chief, urged the council not to approve the Wabash Township request, saying the city's own fire and EMS readiness depends on continued LIT support for staffing, specialty teams and equipment. He said reallocating funds would reduce Lafayette's capacity to deliver services.

Other contributors
Several public officials and planners joined the hearing to give technical or planning context. Monica Casanova (Fairfield Township trustee and Indiana Township Association West Central Area director) said the LIT distribution process as written by the state does not effectively address cross-jurisdictional public safety. Nathan McBurnett of the Area Plan Commission described large permitted development volumes in Wabash Township and said the township is experiencing some of the county's fastest near-term growth.

Outcome and next steps
No formal council vote on a LIT distribution to Wabash Township was recorded at the hearing. Council members and city officials discussed the state processes that govern LIT allocations and the county's timeline; township representatives asked the council to consider the fairness of current distributions and recommended a solution so unincorporated residents who pay the tax can see benefits. Council members did not adopt an ordinance or resolution relating to the request during the meeting.

Why it matters
Wabash Township officials contend that rapid residential growth and rising run volumes have strained the volunteer and paid staffing model and that without additional capital and operating support they will not reach response-time targets. Township leaders say state policy (including SB 1, which they said will reduce some property-tax revenues) makes LIT funds a critical revenue source for their capital needs.

Clarifying details
Township speakers provided multiple figures: officials said public-safety LIT distributions total roughly $11.5 million annually; cash balances in LIT funds countywide were described as about $16.1 million this fiscal year; the township estimated 55% population growth from 2020 to the early 2030s and about 4,800 new housing units in its service area (source: Angel Valentin, David Tate, Nathan McBurnett, Ed Ward).

The council did not make a decision at the hearing; township leaders said the application deadline under state rules is Sept. 1 and they asked the council to consider the request before that date.

Speakers quoted in this article are those who addressed the council during the public hearing listed in the meeting record; the council did not take a recorded vote on the LIT distribution request.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 August 4 Lafayette City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Wabash Township Trustee Angel Valentin told the council that rapid population growth and higher run volumes have left the township's fire department understaffed and under-equipped and asked the council to distribute public-safety LIT funds.","taxTitle","Lafayette City, Tippecanoe County, Indiana","taxId",5748,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6145614,"Council approves first reading to start 2‑phase water-rate increase and authorize financing for $70M in water projects",1418,5981000,7399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5532637-40b5851736eec3c81512638c68d37917&start=5981&end=7399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5532637-40b5851736eec3c81512638c68d37917/thumbnail_5981000.jpg","/articles/6145614/Lafayette-City/Tippecanoe-County/Indiana/Council-approves-first-reading-to-start-2phase-water-rate-increase-and-authorize-financing-for-70M-in-water-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145614-198516b2e92192017226147cb360c9f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104719&Signature=m3fgg~NmCCh2XDio0mzulk1DkV4XlxEW9gr-4~pObl4-26CmiQQuVqN4VdL1xNvnbQ6Oh4Nb1MgR~baHAHVQGwUGuMpqOl1ZnoCJuIWUioW4WtuSCXhlR~Rp4xwUj1pVI6lQw6sX98HPc7NPh~6dTDLMPzC6Ch7IIiUmW48KvLh082PyX5aOEexKdTLEIWEfAVU4JmrVNzw-P4cL879q68inOnnJxg9TGd7LZMKPg7e1S7uhFPNPpWbKGvfNtnmBbhSKFZGMh2ziWCtQ5cO7G-JpV0D-07uOEIbCP1BYz2dOGJfW0VE1ws1Vnr2xAbJaNel~IClHUeKGkwKg4H6IHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LAFAYETTE — The common council approved on first reading the start of a two-phase water-rate increase and authorized a revenue bond ordinance to finance water infrastructure projects, voting 8-0 to move both items forward to the regulatory and financing steps required for implementation.

Lede: The council's action begins the formal IURC review process for proposed rate increases that the city's consultants and staff say are needed to fund a capital plan that includes a new well field, distribution main extensions, and a lead-service-line replacement program.

What the ordinances do
- Ordinance 20 25 dash 31 begins the municipal process to raise water rates in two phases; the rate case will be filed with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) for review.
- Ordinance 20 25 dash 32 is a bond-authorization ordinance that sets the parameters for issuing revenue bonds not to exceed the council's stated cap (approximately $70.2 million) in multiple series to fund the capital program.

Why city officials say a hike is needed
Mayor representatives and city staff said Lafayette has not increased water rates frequently (noting prior increases in February 2001 and February 2018), and that the city faces a five-year capital improvement plan of roughly $64 million. City staff and the city's municipal adviser, Jennifer Wilson of CRO, summarized projections: the lead-service-line replacement program alone is estimated at about $30 million; total capital needs will be met through a combination of bonds, grants and loans when available.

Representative figures and sample bill impacts
- Jennifer Wilson (municipal adviser) explained revenue needs: the city's total revenue requirement was estimated at about $19.6 million versus current revenues of about $15.5 million (a gap of roughly $4.1 million). New debt service was projected to rise from about $1.5 million currently to about $6 million annually once the larger bond series are issued.
- The proposed two-phase rate structure would raise a typical monthly bill for a 5,000-gallon user from $17.81 to $23.32 in the first phase and to $29.61 in the second phase, a cumulative increase in the illustrative example of about 66.2% over two years. Staff noted the percentage looks large because the base dollar amount was relatively small.

Projects to be financed
City staff and the consultant said bond proceeds will fund: a new well field (to expand yield and add distribution capacity), redundant wells at the Glick well field, water main extensions to support growth in service areas 7, 11 and 11A, connectivity improvements to reduce service disruptions and improve fire protection, and the lead-service-line replacement program required by federal/state mandates.

Process and next steps
The council's approvals were for first reading and to authorize filing. The city will file the rate case with the IURC; public hearings and the IURC's review process could change the rate outcome. Staff also said the city will pursue low-interest loans and grants (including SRF programs and other state loan options) that could reduce the amount to be borne by ratepayers. Bond issuance and final rate approval would follow IURC decisions; the city said it will structure issuance across multiple series to moderate near-term rate impacts.

Why it matters
The proposed changes would raise household water bills over two years and fund multi-decade infrastructure improvements that city leaders say are necessary for growth, public health and compliance with lead-service-line replacement mandates.

Speakers quoted here include city staff and the municipal adviser for the water-rate presentation and the bond ordinance; both ordinances passed by recorded roll call or unanimous consent to move forward with the regulatory and financing steps.","City leaders approved ordinances to begin a two-phase water-rate increase and authorize revenue bonds to fund well-field expansion, main extensions and a lead-service-line replacement program; rates would rise in two steps and the city will file the request with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6145619,"Council tables rezoning request for 2414 Butler Street, schedules neighborhood meeting",884,2085000,2969000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5532637-40b5851736eec3c81512638c68d37917&start=2085&end=2969","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5532637-40b5851736eec3c81512638c68d37917/thumbnail_2085000.jpg","/articles/6145619/Lafayette-City/Tippecanoe-County/Indiana/Council-tables-rezoning-request-for-2414-Butler-Street-schedules-neighborhood-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145619-12fe196b3a68279595ac8f670d38c211/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104719&Signature=M6JY8nD9TFdhCgvqQ7gyb4pnczGG47z5di-wL4JNVc6Z2smoTnVhftT28qAh1CjtEOFyKO4hD5O0iU07rlOiN1PLYRt53~gUC4UGsBNsQsdT1isZ7OWN7fKflOZqUuLiqE~4Wvgp~2oVM5VZeHuUeujEQco0SkvHuklcha1VWaJ7LP5jwbEvvWHb9Eue4ue~L4mH6tBGG4ckTetbYivBRBhcWAgq3Z1Sh8Ofeg4HwqawNifZqYq818dH8XTarkJvjYM-HGB-tz1bx8bruZpQrtTtuuGKt7~sB4cIMhsSSYk5EkcO-vF2gR4t-7T5ZLxQNU6AaMEpAqRMtiZ6zzo-Kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LAFAYETTE — The common council voted to table an ordinance to rezone 2414 Butler Street from R-1B to R-1T after neighbors and the petitioner said they needed more time to meet and resolve issues. The tabling postpones final action until the council's Sept. 1 meeting.

What was proposed
Developer Andrew Stanko told the council the plan calls for three single-family detached or townhouse-style units intended for young professionals and starter families. He said the units would be \"built to suit\" buyers and that the project aims to provide low-maintenance single-family housing without an HOA.

Neighbors' concerns
Nearby residents said the design and scale do not fit the neighborhood's existing single-family character. Michelle Roland, who lives directly next door to the parcel, said the project would \"ruin\" mature trees and sight lines and increase traffic at a street used by schoolchildren. Fred Koneng, a neighbor at 2412 Butler, raised safety and parking concerns, saying the proposed building footprint appears wider than the lot and that curbside and garage parking in the plan would be inadequate for the number of vehicles expected.

Council action and next steps
Councilmember Snyder moved to table the ordinance and asked the developer and council to hold a neighborhood meeting; the sponsor said he had already spoken with the developer and planned to set dates. The developer, Andrew Stanko, agreed to take part in a meeting and to discuss plans in more detail. The council indicated Sept. 1 would be the final opportunity to act before a 90-day certification period elapses.

Why it matters
The tabling reflects local concern about infill density and design compatibility in an established single-family area. The neighborhood meeting is intended to surface design changes or conditions that could make a project more acceptable to nearby residents before the council votes.

Practical clarifications recorded
- The petitioner said the project would build three units; the developer said the homes would be marketed to starter families and young professionals and finished \"to suit.\" (Andrew Stanko)
- The council confirmed the certification/90-day procedural timeline and that Sept. 1 is the final council meeting for action if no further agreements are reached.
- The developer will coordinate meeting dates with the council and distribute invitations by email/social media and a sign-up clipboard at council meetings for neighbors who want to be notified.

No rezoning vote was taken; the ordinance remains on the docket for the Sept. 1 meeting pending a neighborhood meeting.","Councilmember Snyder successfully moved to table a rezoning request for 2414 Butler Street to the council's Sept. 1 meeting and asked the developer to hold a neighborhood meeting; neighbors said three proposed townhomes would not fit the single-family character of the block and raised safety and parking concerns.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6145623,"Lafayette council approves ordinance allowing up to five hens per household, sets one-year sunset and permit rules",2762,3158000,5920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5532637-40b5851736eec3c81512638c68d37917&start=3158&end=5920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5532637-40b5851736eec3c81512638c68d37917/thumbnail_3158000.jpg","/articles/6145623/Lafayette-City/Tippecanoe-County/Indiana/Lafayette-council-approves-ordinance-allowing-up-to-five-hens-per-household-sets-one-year-sunset-and-permit-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145623-9b8ff254a1abeb3bf8d2b375be9356d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104719&Signature=Lyj8x7lsh~jM9dOtBJgyFF3oqnHpMBt1RFNlfS1mxgP4cIg9zRyV1q~kio2Pj1WPuBbSmxP8jcNbM2vNWsEkmbN0ncGuvjWYjihL-grVRgjh2q7FCdkSm2uoVmH8tjg7KbMbU090Uxxoj1sRYm0uK1eO96IVMHWQiG0f1cVVnvYLOaSWEOv9kvDbD4CeYzTISriivAJHqxzCqYH7kk62DyhUX0XGZ9zsPgJe8yzVHoQqCA166EbMnMpjE3DePrNd9qY5QiUQyy5yWmWEftaQzUAPly0BgDJo1kFYKdKX3p7U2gM2jtHWO0Z9PniwqKkKFI7ZOINN7xoouMQpp82-aQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LAFAYETTE — The Malawithia common council voted 5-3 to approve a city ordinance that allows residents to keep up to five hens per property, bans roosters, and imposes permitting and confinement requirements, including a one-year sunset clause for council review.

Council summary and key provisions
Council members summarized the ordinance before the vote: residents may keep up to five hens, roosters are prohibited, coops and pens must be set back at least 10 feet from neighboring property lines, and a free permit will be required so the city can track locations. The ordinance includes a one-year sunset so the council may revisit the policy after initial implementation.

Why the ordinance mattered at the meeting
Supporters said the rules give homeowners a regulated way to raise a modest number of hens for food and education; opponents warned of noise, sanitation, predators, pests and enforcement challenges in compact neighborhoods.

What animal-control staff said
Sarah Goins, chief animal control officer for the city of Lafayette, said the city's animal-control team supports regulated chicken ownership because an ordinance helps officers enforce standards. Goins described enforcement procedure: animal-control investigations are complaint-driven via the police department nonemergency line (option 6), officers inspect coops against the checklist, and owners may be required to correct violations or rehome animals; in extreme cases the ordinance allows seizure.

Public reaction
Speakers were sharply divided by neighborhood and concern type:
- Supporters, including Christine Poquette and Claire Freeman, said regulated hens improve food access, allow backyard education, and that comparable ordinances in other Indiana cities have not produced large citywide problems.
- Opponents, including speakers from Highland Park and other neighborhoods, raised public-safety and nuisance concerns: Stephanie Hange and Jen Stevens said compact lots and small yards make setbacks and coop concealment difficult, and cited a recent house fire in a hidden chicken coop. Bernie Kroll warned of increased rodent and predator activity and questioned a free-permit model as unenforceable.

Council debate and vote
Councilmembers discussed the prior public survey, enforcement capacity and neighborhood differences. Several members said the one-year sunset provision was an important safeguard. The council then voted by roll call: Plinker (Aye), Snyder (Aye), Reynolds (No), Weese (Aye), Brown (Aye), Eulersmeyer (Aye), Williamson (No), Downing (No). The ordinance passed 5 to 3.

What passed and next steps
The ordinance requires a free permit; banding or another identification method for birds to support enforcement; a requirement that coops and pens be maintained so as not to create a public nuisance; and a one-year sunset to allow the council to reassess citywide effects. Animal-control staff said they have limited evening coverage (officers through 8 p.m. weekdays, shorter weekend hours) and described typical steps for complaint response: inspect, notify owner, allow time to remedy, and escalate to seizure only if necessary.

Why it matters
The vote changes municipal policy on animal-keeping in residential neighborhoods and creates a regulatory pathway for residents to keep small numbers of hens. The one-year sunset gives the council a formal review point; enforcement will be complaint-driven and rely on coordination between the clerk's permit process and animal-control inspections.

Speakers quoted are listed in the meeting record and attributed to the council hearing.","After hours of public comment split between neighbors and supporters, the common council voted 5-3 to approve an ordinance permitting up to five hens per property (no roosters), requiring a free permit, identification of birds and a one-year sunset for review; animal-control staff described complaint-driven enforcement procedures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wabash Township officials urge council to approve public-safety LIT distribution as development accelerates

Council approves first reading to start 2‑phase water-rate increase and authorize financing for $70M in water projects

Council tables rezoning request for 2414 Butler Street, schedules neighborhood meeting

Lafayette council approves ordinance allowing up to five hens per household, sets one-year sunset and permit rules