The Winamac Park Board has taken steps to formalize its relationship with Park Manager Dave DeLorenzo.
When the park board was formed last year, there was discussion about whether the park manager should technically be a park superintendent, under Indiana Code. However, Park Board President Courtney Poor says there aren’t enough employees in the park department to justify the change. That means DeLorenzo will continue to be paid by the town council, rather than the park board.
To formalize that arrangement, the town council and park board have decided to enter into an intra-local government agreement. Town Attorney Justin Schramm told council members last month that will resolve some questions about moving money between budgets.
Poor added Thursday that the arrangement will also ensure an open line of communication. He says it authorizes the town manager to receive instructions from the park board and relay them to the park manager. In practice, that happens anyway, since Town Manager Brad Zellers also serves as park board vice-president.
The intra-local government agreement was discussed during a joint session of the town council and park board Thursday. The park board then approved it during its regular meeting, with Zellers abstaining. Council members previously authorized Council President Tommy Murray to sign the agreement on behalf of the town.
The agreement takes effect January 1, 2018 and remains in effect for a four-year period.
