GALION, Ohio — Galion’s city council approved two pieces of divisive legislation Tuesday evening that would allow the city to appoint and fund a public information officer.
The legislation passed after a final reading by six votes in favor and one “nay” vote. Fourth ward council member Susan Bean voted against the ordinance, stating after the meeting that she finds it fiscally irresponsible.
“Originally that was someone who was going to keep the website updated and help with the numerous Freedom of Information Act requests. It turned into someone who is going to replace the nearly defunct Inquirer,” said Bean.
“I don’t think that we need state-run media,” she added.
According to the ordinance language, a total of $4,800 will be transferred monthly from the safety services subsection of the general fund over to the mayor’s subsection of the general fund. Bean states that this amount is too much for the public information officer position.
“What’s $4,200 times 12? … $56,700,” said Bean. “I find that fiscally irresponsible.”
During Galion’s last council meeting, Bean said the appropriations ordinance was amended from a yearly salary of around $44,000 to $56,700.
“I can find no reason (why the appropriations increased),” said Bean.
According to at-large council member Shirley Clark, the position would work part-time at 35 hours per week at an hourly wage of $13.50.
“You’re not going to get anyone for less money than that,” said Clark.
Mayor Tom O’Leary was absent from Tuesday’s meeting due to prior commitments, according to council president Carl Watt.
Power Cost Adjuster
The council also heard from Roberta Wade, a community member who has brought numerous complaints to the council about the Power Cost Adjuster. She claims the calculations were wrong.
During the last council meeting she requested the PCA calculations and said she would be back to collect them.
“If, in fact, everybody feels so sure about these calculations then it probably isn’t a problem in giving them to me,” said Wade before asking for the records.
Law Director Thomas Palmer responded.
“There are no public records which present the PCA calculation as it would look on a school homework assignment. Rather, those factors were used in a computer program that provided a comparable result. Spreadsheets, which were used, were distributed almost a year ago,” said Palmer. He then gave Wade the spreadsheets.
Wade replied by explaining that there were inconsistencies found in all calculations that she has audited.
“I would expect people to be upset about this. I would expect city officials to feel that the citizens have a right to know what was done here. And certainly we’re going to go back to this issue of auditing these,” said Wade.
The next city council meeting in Galion is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in the municipal building.
