Author Archives: Sharon

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

Pursuant to the provisions of the Open Door Law and Indiana Code 5-14-1.5-5, the Board of Directors of the Goshen Redevelopment Authority will hold a public meeting on Monday, March 11, 2019 at 2:15 p.m. (or immediately following the Board of Public Works and Safety and Stormwater Board meeting). The meeting will be held in the Court Room/Council Chambers at the Goshen Police and Court Building, 111 East Jefferson Street, Goshen, Indiana.

NEW VOTING EQUIPMENT DEMONSTRATIONS

An aerial shot of the Elkhart County Courthouse in downtown Goshen.

The Elkhart County Clerk’s Office will be hosting four public demonstration nights to show off the new electronic voting equipment that will be used at the Goshen 2019 Primary Elections.

At the demonstrations, the public will be able to cast a non-official ballot so they can see every aspect of how the new equipment will work. 

  • February 28 at the Goshen Public Library at 6pm
  • March 4 at the Elkhart Public Library at 6:30pm
  • March 7 at the Middlebury Public Library at 6pm
  • March 19 at the Nappanee Public Library at 6pm

For more information about the demonstrations and new equipment, contact the Elkhart County Clerk’s Office at 535.6469.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

On Proposal to Establish the Annual Tax Rate for the City of Goshen Cumulative Capital Development Fund

The Goshen Common Council will hold a public hearing at its meeting on March 19, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at which City of Goshen taxpayers may be heard concerning a proposal to establish the annual tax rate for the Cumulative Capital Development Fund. The hearing will be held in the City Court Room/Council Chambers at the Goshen Police & Court Building, 111 East Jefferson Street, Goshen. Following the public hearing, the Common Council will consider a proposed ordinance to establish the annual tax rate for the Cumulative Capital Development Fund.

The Cumulative Capital Development Fund as authorized under the provisions of Indiana Code §§ 6-1.1-41-1 et seq., Indiana Code §§ 36-9-15.5-1 et seq., and city ordinance, may be used for any or all the purposes specified by Indiana Code § 36-9-15.5-2. The proposed tax will be levied on all taxable property within the City of Goshen and will not exceed Five Cents ($0.0500) on each One Hundred Dollars ($100) of assessed valuation. The proposed tax will be levied beginning with 2019 taxes payable in 2020.

If the Common Council passes and adopts the proposed ordinance, the City of Goshen will publish a notice of adoption. At least fifty (50) City of Goshen taxpayers may file a petition with the Elkhart County Auditor not later than noon thirty (30) days after the publication of the notice of adoption stating their objections to the establishment of the annual tax rate for the Cumulative Capital Development Fund. Upon filing of a valid petition, the Auditor shall immediately certify the petition to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF), and the DLGF shall schedule a hearing on the petition.

The proposal to establish the annual tax rate for the Cumulative Capital Development Fund is subject to the approval by the DLGF.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

On Proposal to Establish the Annual Tax Rate for the City of Goshen
Cumulative Building and Sinking Fund for Municipal Sewers.

The Goshen Common Council will hold a public hearing at its meeting on March 19, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at which City of Goshen taxpayers may be heard concerning a proposal to establish the annual tax rate for the Cumulative Building and Sinking Fund for Municipal Sewers. The hearing will be held in the City Court Room/Council Chambers at the Goshen Police & Court Building, 111 East Jefferson Street, Goshen. Following the public hearing, the Common Council will consider a proposed ordinance to establish the annual tax rate for the Cumulative Building and Sinking Fund for Municipal Sewers.

The Cumulative Building and Sinking Fund for Municipal Sewers as authorized under the provisions of Indiana Code §§ 6-1.1-41-1 et seq., Indiana Code §§ 36-9-26-1 et seq., and city ordinance, may be used for any or all the purposes specified by Indiana Code § 36-9-26-2(a). The proposed tax will be levied on all taxable property within the City of Goshen and will not exceed Three and Thirtythree hundredths Cents ($0.0333) on each One Hundred Dollars ($100) of assessed valuation. The proposed tax will be levied beginning with 2019 taxes payable in 2020.

If the Common Council passes and adopts the proposed ordinance, the City of Goshen will publish a notice of adoption. At least fifty (50) City of Goshen taxpayers may file a petition with the Elkhart County Auditor not later than noon thirty (30) days after the publication of the notice of adoption stating their objections to the establishment of the annual tax rate for the Cumulative Building and Sinking Fund for Municipal Sewers. Upon filing of a valid petition, the Auditor shall immediately certify the petition to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF), and the DLGF shall schedule a hearing on the petition.

The proposal to establish the annual tax rate for the Cumulative Building and Sinking Fund for Municipal Sewers is subject to the approval by the DLGF.

TO THE COMMUNITY OF GOSHEN

The following is a statement from Mayor Jeremy Stutsman:

In the early morning hours of December 14, 2018 two off-duty Goshen Police officers were involved in a traffic stop. This stop resulted in one officer being arrested for OWI, Operating While Intoxicated, and started an investigation into possible shots fired. Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department was contacted shortly after to complete the investigation. After the Sheriff’s Department completed their investigation the case was turned over to the Elkhart County Prosecutors Office. During this time the Goshen Police Department has also completed an internal investigation.

On Monday February 25, 2019, immediately following the 2 p.m. Board of Works meeting, Chief Jose’ Miller will hold a press conference to share what GPD has done to date and actions that have been taken, as well as take questions.

In the meantime, I want to acknowledge the frustrations that some in our community have surrounding this incident, and share many of these same feelings. This process has taken much longer than any of us would have liked.  However it has taken this long to ensure we had all the information possible so that we could make sure the appropriate courses of action are in place.

The severity of this incident has not been overlooked. These types of actions cannot be tolerated, especially by those we trust to protect us. Poor decisions were made by a few Goshen Police officers, and those decisions must have consequences. Disciplinary actions are being finalized. There are several pieces to this incident and we will be dealing with each one of these in an appropriate manner deserving of the action. The disciplinary actions recommended by Chief Miller include a reduction in rank, a long-term suspension, and a resignation.

I feel very strongly that the men and women of the GPD are honorable and trustworthy. The actions of a few should not reflect negatively on the rest of the department.

It is important that we all reflect on our frustrations surrounding this incident but I ask that you reserve your final judgement of our department until after you know the final results and actions the City is taking. I am disappointed in the choices of the two off-duty officers and at the same time I am proud of Chief Miller and the remaining GPD officers for how they are handling this situation.

My Administration will always strive to prove to you the dedication, integrity and honor the men and women of our police department carry with them every day. I will continue to demand a high level of integrity, respect and service from all the members of GPD. 

Sincerely,

Jeremy Stutsman
Mayor

NEW PARKS & RECREATION OFFICE TO OPEN MONDAY

The new office will be located at 524 E. Jackson St. across from the Water Tower Park along S. Ninth Street.

The Goshen Parks & Recreation Department offices will now be located at 524 E. Jackson St., across from the Water Tower Park as of Monday, February 25.

Parking is available across the street on the corner of Jackson and Ninth streets.

Department staff have been operating out of Rieth Interpretive Center and Schrock Pavilion after the February flood in 2018 affected the former main offices at 607 W. Plymouth Ave.

The last day they will be at Rieth Interpretive Center will be Friday, February 22. For any further inquiries, please contact the Parks & Recreation staff at 534.2901 or goshenparks@goshencity.com. Check out their Facebook page, facebook.com/GoshenParksRecreation for further updates.

GOSHEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Goshen Economic Development Commission (“Commission”) will hold a public hearing at 2:30 p.m. on March 12, 2019, in the City Court Room/ Council Chambers at the Goshen Police & Court Building, 111 East Jefferson Street, Goshen, Indiana, regarding the issuance and funding of its Taxable Economic Development Revenue Note, Series 2019 (“Series 2019 Note”) in an amount not to exceed Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($850,000), to Goshen Theater, Inc. (“Borrower”). The proceeds of the Series 2019 Note will be loaned to the Borrower to finance a portion of certain proposed economic development facilities consisting of the renovation of the Goshen Theater, together with all necessary appurtenances, related improvements and equipment (“Project”), in or physically connected to the Consolidated River Race / US 33 Economic Development Area and to consider whether the issuance of the Series 2019 Note will have an adverse competitive effect on any similar facilities already constructed or operating in the City.

The Series 2019 Note will be issued by the City pursuant to IC 36-7-11. 9 and 36-7-12, and an ordinance adopted by the Common Council (“Ordinance”). The loan will be evidenced by the Series 2019 Note executed by the Borrower and as otherwise provided in the Loan Agreement, dated March 1, 2019 (“Loan Agreement”), between the City and the Borrower, the Trust Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2019 and the Ordinance.

Proceeds of the Series 2019 Note will be used to for the construction of a portion of the Project to be located generally at 216 South Main Street, Goshen, Indiana.

The public hearing is being held pursuant to IC 36-7-12-24. The public is invited to attend and comment on any of the matters herein noted. Written comments may also be submitted to the Secretary of the Commission until 5:00 p.m. on March 11 , 2019, by delivering such comments to the office of the Department of Redevelopment, 202 South 5th Street, Goshen, Indiana.

If the Commission shall find for itself and on behalf of the City, that the proposed financing will be of benefit to the health and welfare of the City and complies with the purposes and provisions of the Act, the Commission will adopt a resolution approving the proposed financing and the form of financing documents, including the Series 2019 Note in an amount not to exceed Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($850,000) and shall transmit the resolution to the Council for consideration together with the form of the proposed ordinance to be recommended to the Council.