TH BPWS OKs tax abatement for apt. complex, new payroll software

Lou Britton talks explains planned renovations at the former Lighthouse Mission property/Lucy Perry photo

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

The Terre Haute Board of Public Works and Safety approved a request for a nearly $40,000 payroll process service agreement at the meeting this afternoon in City Hall.

Because Controller Leslie Ellis was not present reportedly due to illness, Brad Speidel, director of Information Technology, explained that the city is switching over from in-house software to a contract with ADP for payroll processing.

He said the update will streamline things and include an employee portal and a smart phone apps to access payroll and tax information.

"We can deliver your paystub to you instead of printing out 906 of those every two weeks and then worry about how to distribute those out," he said, noting that department supervisors will also be able to print out the information at the employee's request as needed.

Speidel said the cost for the estimate is for time and materials and the city will be billed for what is actually used.

The board also approved a request from the controller for a related software services agreement to replace current Blackbaud Financial with Blackbaud Financial Edge for items such as accounts payable and tax receipt processing. The first - year cost is around $58,000, with each following year around $16,000. Speidel noted that the current plan is around $11,500 and that a cost of $12,000 in switching over is for the conversion of old records.

"We'll use what we need to, we'll pay for what we need to," he said. ​

The board approved the following requests:

• Nine-year tax abatement – Miller Parrot Lofts, LP - Attorney Lou Britton explained that the $8.9 million renovation project for the former Lighthouse Mission property at 1450 Wabash Avenue received preliminary approval from the City Council Thursday.

• Hydrite rail easement. Britton explained that Hydrite,  wants to add a rail spur that is where the former track is located and currently owned by the city.
• GATX rail easement - Representatives from the company located on Maple Avenue said GATX is looking to invest more than $30 million in expansion projects, which would potentially add about 60 more jobs in the next 4 years.

• Specifications for nine  patrol vehicles – Terre Haute Police Department. Chief John Plasse explained that the V6 all-wheel drive Ford Taurus patrol cars are needed to replace vehicles in poor shape. 
• Inspection agreement for 13 ½ and 14th Street $16,000 project
• Terre Haute Fire Department service agreement with Wellness for Life for annual physicals.
• Request from ISU to build planters on either side of ADA curb cut on North 9th Street at the Recycle Office
• Request from Annex 41 to close 2nd Street between Chestnut and Eagle until Dec. 31.
• Request from the Terre Haute Fire Department to place a couple vehicles in the Labor Day Parade.
• Request from Hamilton Center to close 15th Street from Locust to Elm Streets Saturday, Aug. 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the second annual WE LIVE event.
• Request from Kamikaze Karate to post NO PARKING in the northern parking lane of Wabash Avenue from 612 to 618 Wabash Avenue Aug. 26 for an event.
• Request to remove parking on the  north side of Washington Avenue from 15th Street to 120 -feet east of 15th St.

In other business:
Board President Jon Stinson read  three bids received for miscellaneous repair to curbs, curb and gutters, handicap ramps and other concrete flatwork as follows: Feutz Contractors Inc - $273, 996; S&T Construction - $279,982; and Dennis Trucking -$241,842.85.
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The board denied a request for: 
Handicap parking for a residence at 1220 South 11th St.