Reynoldsburg council busting myths

(by Rachel Scofield, Staff Writer - March 25, 2009)

Reynoldsburg council members are busting myths.

At their March 23 meeting, members discussed the 2009 city budget and the May school district levy, answering common questions and clarifying misconceptions.

Councilman Ron Stake asked Mayor Brad McCloud to clarify how the administration balanced the budget that "started several hundred dollars in the red."

"With great difficulty," McCloud said.  "We went line by line."

A handful of items including new police cruisers were removed from the budget.

The budget also benefited from an estate tax collected after the passing of a wealthy resident.

A rumor that the new budget includes pay raises for city staff is true.

The city is "contractually obligated" to 3 percent raises, City Auditor Richard Harris said.
"People have told me that the budget includes $25,000 for the Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival," Stake said.

"I have heard that too," McCloud said. "There is no money in there at all for the festival."

Daryl Albrecht, addressed the council on behalf of Save Our Schools (SOS) to clear confusion regarding the 15.6 mil Reynoldsburg City Schools levy on May 5.

Residents do not understand why the district needs to pass an operating levy when the city just passed a $56 million bond issue in 2008, Albrecht said.

"By law, (bond) money cannot be used for operating expenses," according to a flier SOS is distributing.

"An operating levy provides funds for the daily operation of our schools, such as utility bills, maintenance, student programs, textbooks and staff. A bond issue provides funding for renovation and new buildings," the flier explains.

If voters approve the levy, the owner of a $100,000 home would pay $477.75 per year and would raise more than $12 million for the district.

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