By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
A variety of proposed projects highlight the city of Groveport’s proposed 2019 budget.
The general fund revenue for 2019 is estimated at $16.1 million, which is up from the estimated $15.9 million in 2018. The bulk of this funding comes from Income tax revenue, which is projected to be $14.54 million in 2019 compared to $14.50 million in 2018. Other revenues include $350,000 from property taxes and various amounts in other city fund categories that include grants, taxes, fees, and permits.
“Although the budgeted numbers for the general fund represent no increase in income tax revenue, the 2019 appropriations budget still maintains progress toward several city council objectives: increasing the balance in the rainy day fund, increasing the general fund balance by another 20 percent, and setting aside 20 percent of all income tax collection for debt service,” wrote Groveport City Administrator Marsha Hall in her budget report to Groveport City Council.
The rainy day fund reached $1.5 million in 2018 and is expected to rise to $1.6 million in 2019 with the goal of reaching $2 million in the next few years.
Proposed projects
Projects proposed in the 2019 budget are:
•East Bixby Road pavement rehabilitation (from near Ebright Road to U.S. 33), $348,000 from street fund and $92,000 from storm water fund;
•West Main Street curb ramps, $34,000;
•Annual street maintenance program, $450,000 from street fund and $105,000 from storm water fund. Includes resurfacing work on Main Street from College Street to Front Street (which was reconstructed in 1989-90) and on Main Street from Front Street east (which was reconstructed in 2003) to a point near the Groveport Recreation Center. Other streets to be included for work in 2019 and beyond are still to be determined.
•Hamilton Road/Firehouse Lane traffic signal upgrade, $542,000 total grant project, local match of $68,100 from street fund;
•Generator for Bixford pump station, $75,000;
•Sanitary sewer force main replacements, $50,000;
•Master Parks Plan review, emphasizing Groveport Park, $40,000;
•Bixford Green bike/pedestrian path, $180,000 from parks fund. The project involves the construction of an 860 to 920 foot Bixford Green shared-use path to connect the Bixford Green subdivision to the Blacklick Creek Greenways Trail in Three Creeks Metro Park (the city has applied for an Ohio NatureWorks grant to help fund this project).
•Neighborhood parks development, $75,000; and
•Sidewalk replacements, $50,000.
Proposed purchases
The city plans to make the following purchases in 2019:
•Replacement of front entrance barn at The Links golf course, $250,000;
•Two police cruisers to replace two 2008 cruisers, $120,000;
•Banquet room air conditioning at The Links golf course, $100,000;
•Additional leaf vacuum, $96,000. (It is noted in the budget this is required because after Kurtz Brothers moved from the area the time and cost of transporting leaves has “increased dramatically.” The new system will have a larger capacity for hauling leaves.)
•17 police body cameras, $74,314;
•Starcraft Allstar 12+2 vehicle for transportation department, $62,200;
•Ventilation system for filtration room at the indoor pool at the Groveport Recreation Center, $42,170;
•Replace windows at municipal building, $40,000;
•Replacement truck for the facilities department, $30,000; and
•Replacement fence at KidSpace, $6,000.
Other budget highlights
The proposed 2019 general fund appropriations are estimated at $18.4 million, which is down from $18.6 million in 2018.
Funding for festivals in 2019 includes $50,000 for the Fourth of July, $18,650 for the Christmas – A Heritage Holiday, and $16,000 for Apple Butter Day.
Council will vote on the 2019 budget at its Nov. 13 meeting.
