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Groveport approves budget in a divided vote
(by Rick Palsgrove, Southeast Editor - December 22, 2009)
Groveport Village Council approved a trimmed down version of the town's 2010 budget in a divided vote.
At its Dec. 21 meeting, council voted 4-2 to approve the budget with council members Ed Dildine, Jean Ann Hilbert, Donna Drury, and Jim Staebler supporting it. Ed Rarey and Shawn Cleary opposed it, though for opposite reasons.
Rarey believes the budget cuts too many services and programs for the residents.
"I said from the start I would vote against any budget that is negative toward the citizens of Groveport," said Rarey.
On the other hand, Cleary thought the budget did not make deep enough cuts.
Citing the troubled economy, Cleary said, "I'm pessimistic, leery, and scared because we don't know what's ahead. This budget didn't cut enough."
A $20,000 appropriation for the civic organization Go Groveport was placed back into the 2010 budget; and $4,000 for Community Affairs programming for a children's playgroup program as well as events and programs conducted by the village naturalist were restored after initially being cut.
Go Groveport
"Go Groveport has tremendous value and impact on the village. It's a human resource whose results are not measured in dollars and cents," said Rarey. "It's money well spent."
Councilwoman Donna Drury said Go Groveport is made up of several parts that benefit the village: Go Groveport, Bierberg Mercantile (a small business start up), Adopt A Family, Groveport Madison Center for Human Needs, welcome packets, and a small scholarship program. She added Go Groveport also volunteered to run the summer concert series in 2009 when the village abandoned it due to lack of funds.
Mayor Lance Westcamp, saying, "It's too valuable of an organization to let go," suggested the funding for Go Groveport be restored and reviewed in the spring when the village can get a read on where its 2010 budget is headed.
"I don't think we could hire someone to do all that they do," added Councilwoman Jean Ann Hilbert.
Councilman Ed Dildine, acknowledging Go Groveport provides "a great service," had misgivings about providing funding for the organization in 2010. He noted what he saw as a disconnect in that the village cut Madison Township residents from its senior transportation program to save money, yet will fund Go Groveport even though it also serves township residents.
Christine Boucher of Go Groveport said the organization is located in town (at 607 Main St.) and helps promote village offerings such as the recreation center and the downtown.
"We bring people into the village," she said.
Dildine added he's concerned about the ongoing economic crunch the village is experiencing.
"And here we are spending more money," said Dildine. "We may be down another 22 percent (in income tax revenue) next year. There've been no employee raises...I don't want to be in a meeting in six months where we have to lay people off."
Community Affairs kids programs
Hilbert, Rarey, and Drury said they did not want to see children's programs cut at Groveport Town Hall, KidSpace, and the Log House.
"I'm against cutting back at the expense of the residents," said Rarey. "I don't want kids to pay the price."
"I don't want to see anything less than what we have for them now," added Hilbert.
Other proposed Community Affairs service cuts include closing Town Hall, KidSpace, and the Log House on Sundays and reducing their hours during the week.
"For 133 years Town Hall has served the community and continues to do so," said Rarey. "I'm highly opposed to shutting it down for even one day."
Drury pressed Finance Director Ken Salak to tell her what specific services were being cut from other departments.
"We built this village on service to the residents," said Drury.
Salak replied cuts in all departments dealt with travel and transportation, training, salaries and wages, operating supplies, contractual services (such as plumbing, electricians, engineering), capital expenses, and maintenance and repair.
"We can put in the budget whatever council wants," said Salak. "But I have to have revenue to cover things when I submit the budget to the county. We may have to come back sometime next year and ask for cuts. We can amend the budget at any time if things get better or if they get worse."
Senior transportation changes
Funding for the senior transportation program was reduced to $150,000, down from $237,610 in 2009, as the program will be redesigned to serve only village residents. Previously it also included Madison Township residents.
The program will operate only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. For more information on the program call 836-3333.
The numbers
The $20.5 million 2010 budget projects general fund appropriations of $10.68 million.
Included are $4,700 in funding for the arts festival; $10,075 for Apple Butter Day; $24,000 for Independence Day; and $25,000 for Motts Military Museum.
The proposed 2010 budget is light on potential capital projects with only $1.4 million up for consideration.
These include: $875,755 for the Lesleh Avenue reconstruction; $99,500 for Lesleh Avenue engineering; $200,000 for the downtown Town Center soil remediation at the northeast corner of Main and Front streets; $80,000 for an upgrade to the village's computer server; $50,000 for the municipal building roof; $50,000 for floor repairs at the recreation center; $40,000 for repairs to the Log House; and smaller ticket items for repairs to the recreation center entrance and Town Hall windows, pool painting, painting the municipal building, and upgrading the municipal building security.
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