Council to OK budget at final meeting

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City Council is expected to approve the 2017 budget at its final meeting of the year tonight.

The city’s general fund is expected to bring in revenues of about $21,320,565 with expenditures at $21,574,218. The end fund balance will be about $3,686,212, pr 17.09 percent of expenditures — meeting council’s target of 17 percent.

The budget includes a police officer to coordinate with the newly created Delaware Community Coalition, re-establish a project engineer and zoning technician (which was eliminated in 2009 because of the housing downturn), speed calming initiative and additional transfers into the Capital Improvement Fund to address road maintenance, a comprehensive plan update and capital improvement plan improvements.

Additionally, council will consider a final supplement for 2016 appropriations including a transfer of $722,973 from the general fund with $550,000 towards the capital improvement plan, $157,973 to the general reserve fund and $15,000 for income tax refunds.

The additional transfer to the CIP was based on allocating the year’s budget surplus for increased capital projects, according to a memo from Finance Director Dean Stelzer.

Also on the agenda are two separate legislative items regarding pay and benefits for part-time, seasonal and non-union employees as reflected in the proposed 2017 budget. Employees would receive a 2-percent increase in wages.

Permanent part-time and non-union employees would receive a 20-percent discount for city recreation programs. Non-union employees will have optional vision coverage. The department head pay plan has been redefined within three pay grades with amounts to be determined at a later date.

There’s also consideration to amend the municipal court and clerk of court’s 2017 employee benefit and leave policies. Proposed changes include observing the half-day on the Friday before Christmas and New Year’s Day; increasing the parks and recreation credit to $60 and the addition of assignment commissioner/jury commissioner position.

Additionally, council will consider a resolution to accept contract changes with the Department of Public Works/Public Utilities, Parks and Natural Resources; FOP Clerical group; and Water/Wastewater Plant Operator group. Contracts for all three parties will expire at the end of the year.

Changes include a 1.9-percent wage increase for the FOP Clerical group will receive in the first year, followed by a 2-percent increase for the next two years. The other two parties will receive a 2-percent wage increase for each of the next three years.

In other business, council will:

• Consider legislation to allow the city have memorandum of understanding with the Fire Chiefs Association of Delaware County for the use of self-contained breathing apparatuses fit test equipment. The association now owns two that are obsolete but look to replace them through the Ohio Development Services’ Local Government Safety Capital grant program.

• Consider a resolution to appoint Andy Volenik to the Planning Commission. His term ends on Dec. 31, 2017; and John Rybka to the Civil Service Commission with his term expiring on Nov. 30, 2019.

Council will meet at 7 p.m. in city hall, 1 S. Sandusky St., in council chambers.

By Brandon Klein

[email protected]

Brandon Klein can be reached at 740-413-0904 or on Twitter at @brandoneklein.

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