WARSAW — During the Warsaw Common Council meeting held last night, June 19, it was revealed that a total of $100,000 needed to be transferred within the Stormwater budget to account for higher costs associated with the Eisenhower Basin project.

Brian Davison, Warsaw Utilities Manager, was present at the meeting to explain the unexpected costs. The original bid for the project came in around $300,000 but after further review, the work is expected to cost around $400,000.

It was expressed that the new bid was appropriate for the soil conditions in the area. “Most of it had to do with the degree of difficulty in digging material out and the hauling,” explained Davison.

The project revolves around the Eisenhower Basin near Pheasant Ridge at the south side of city limits. The area experiences heavy flooding and was determined to have the weakest drainage system during a study of the south side. The project will expand a drainage pipe from eight inches to 24 inches, which will slow down the water and greatly reduce flooding in the area.

It was explained that this is just the first of many projects planned for the south side. The department is also looking at other projects city-wide.

The board approved moving the $100,000 from the stormwater repairs and maintenance budget to the capital improvements budget. The transfer will need to be approved by a second reading at the next common council meeting.

In other news:

• Duane Griner and Bob Myers of the Lake City Lions and Warsaw Evening Lions were present at the meeting. The Lions Club was recognized for its Centennial Celebration and June 19 was declared Lions Club International Celebration Day.
• Additional appropriations were approved to move money from the reserves budget in order to pay the first payment for the new fire station. The rules were suspended and the appropriation was passed without a second reading so the payment could be made in time.
• Dalton Corporation, Symmetry Medical, Milestone AV Technologies, Zimmer, DePuy, West Hill Developments and Models Plus all had their tax abatements approved.