New public services director
Brian Strayer was named the new public services director for the city of Groveport.
Last January Groveport City Council approved replacing the existing public works superintendent job with the new position of public service director.
Strayer, who is a Groveport resident, previously worked for more than 10 years as operations manager in New Albany’s public services department. He will start work in Groveport on July 13. His annual starting salary is $91,842.
According to city officials, the new public service director position has an annual salary range of $70,446 to $113,237. The public works superintendent position that was replaced had an annual salary range of $59,964 to $95,942. Long-time Public Works Superintendent Dennis Moore retired in February.
“Council wanted to make the position more of an executive position with requirements for various certifications (such as water operator’s license) and broad based knowledge of all facets of public works (streets, sewer and water),” said Groveport Assistant City Administrator Jeff Green. “Brian will work closely with the city engineer and will likely be involved with discussions and/or negotiations with entities like Franklin County and the city of Columbus.”
Green said the public service director job differs from the public works superintendent position in that the superintendent reported to the city engineer while the newly created position will report to the city administrator.
“The new position has greater oversight responsibilities for not only streets, but also operation of the water plant and will need to have, at a minimum, a Class 1 Water Operator’s License,” said Green.
The public service director is required to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, construction management, or public administration. They need at least five years of work in public works responsibilities and three years of public works supervisor experience.
Groveport finances
The city of Groveport’s 2020 income tax revenue as of May 31 is $7.3 million, which is 4 percent higher than the same time in 2019. Income tax revenues comprise the largest portion of the city’s total revenues year-to-date, or 55.9 percent of all revenues, according to Groveport Finance Director Jason Carr.
In a report to Groveport City Council, Carr also noted that, due to the impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the city’s recreation fund and golf course fund are down $289,000 and $158,000 respectively year-to-date.
“The recreation fund and golf course have historically operated at losses,” wrote Carr. “In order to break even annual transfers from the general fund are necessary. Based on the current operating environment, we anticipate the need to increase budgeted transfers from the general fund as these departments are unable to generate sufficient receipts from operations consisten with prior years.”
Bat houses
According to Groveport Community Affairs Director Patty Storts, Amanda Robinson made bat houses for the city of Groveport for her Girl Scout Gold Project. Robinson held a informational bat program last fall in the city. The Girl Scout Gold Project is the most prestigious award that Girl Scout seniors and ambassadors can earn.
Music of Broadway
The Groveport Madison Area Community Choir will present, “Music of Broadway,” online on youtube.com for everyone to see. Group members recorded themselves at home for this fun virtual show. More information will be published soon about when you can see the performance.
