Today's Thanksgiving celebration was hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Lafayette. We share our meeting day with them during the week of Thanksgiving since they meet on Thursday. This was their year to be responsible for the meeting and program. Kiwanis president Ted Luce introduced Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, who had just come from a meeting where the utility budget was set.
The good news is that there will be no rate increase for water bills next year! 
The mayor told us the city's finances are in good shape with a $5 million rainy day fund. He described how the city is keeping expenses down. A joint purchasing board with the county reduces the cost of material both entities use. The Armory on South Street will provide much needed warehouse space, enabling larger purchases (i.e. better price breaks). Hedging fuel with 11 other communities allows the city to lock in favorable fuel prices. And participation with 17 other cities in a medical trust helps control the health care costs. Millions of Dollars have been saved by being innovative and cooperative.
Mayor Roswarski warned us that orange cones will be showing up on Concord Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway and South 18th Street. He described a new Durkeys Run storm water sewer, which will be a two-year project, and gave an update on how well the tunnel under downtown is working. The state and city are still negotiating the transfer of responsibility of Sagamore Parkway and Teal Road. Chathan Square on Greenbush Street is looking nice; the Wabash River Enhancement design is undergoing fine tuning and the trail master plan is nearly finished.
The Mayor feels the future looks good for this area. With an economic engine fueled by education and industry, infrastructure for businesses in place, and great quality of life to help employers attract and keep the best employees, he is very optimistic.
