MANSFIELD — Mansfield council approved the budget for 2017 at its meeting Tuesday.
“Starting Jan. 1 of this year, we’re looking at $6.8 million unencumbered cash to be used. Our estimated revenues this year are $46.2 million, but our appropriations on the books right now is at $50.9 million,” said Third Ward Councilman Jon Van Harlingen, who chairs the finance committee.
“At the end of the year we’re projecting $2.1 million,” he said. “We’re cutting it really close.”
That number was determined by adding 6.8 million and 46.2 million and subtracting 50.9 million from the total.
The city’s budget for this year amounts to $123,201,363.
About $25.79 million is in the general fund, which includes the mayor and his office, city council, municipal court, as well as the law, finance and safety-service directors and their offices.
The budget for safety services is about $25.13 million. This includes about $10.95 million for the fire department, about $10.76 million for the police department and about $1.35 for the communications center.
“At this time, our revenue’s falling shorter than what it was for 2016, so we’re very concerned,” Van Harlingen said “We do have wiggle room in the budget — there’s no problem there. There are things that can be adjusted. The year is early.
“I hope our departments don’t get excited and start spending money too quick. There is a concern.”
Finance Director Linn Steward echoed that concern.
“I hope everybody spends their capital outlay money wisely this year because I don’t know that we’ll have much cash for capital outlay next year,” Steward said. “I think we’re going to be challenged to just do the operations budget.”
Van Harlingen said there is a waiting-and-see approach for what the income tax revenue brings.
“That is one the major driving forces of our revenue and the problem is it’s very volatile,” he said. “It can float four, six, eight percent and not even know it until it’s there.”
The city was in fiscal emergency from 2012 to 2014. Since coming out of fiscal emergency in July 2014, the city’s revenue has been six to eight percent on the up side and expenditures have been anywhere from eight to five percent on the low side, Van Harlingen said.
“We have been falling in the rear of capital improvements for the past several years because of that fiscal emergency and we’re trying to get caught up,” he said.
House Bill 53
Council passed legislation opposing the passage of House Bill 53 by the Ohio General Assembly.
Dan Mapes, the city’s union president, said Ohio House Bill 53 attacks public employees and their union rights and severely weakens the voice of Ohio’s public employees.
“This bill is part of a national attack on workers and efforts to silence unions and reduce the power to fight for better wages and working conditions,” he said.
Elevators
Council approved legislation that authorizes the safety-service director to enter into a contract(s) for the replacement of the elevator system for an amount not to exceed $900,000.
According to Mayor Tim Theaker, the elevators break down about once every two weeks. Due to their age, acquiring parts for them now is almost impossible, he said.
Drinking fountains
Richland Public Health has donated two drinking fountains to the parks department. One will be located at Johns Park and the other will be placed at North Lake Park.
Proclamations
Safety-Service Director Lori Cope read two proclamations — one recognized Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month and the other honored Lt. Douglas Seman, who has retired from the Mansfield Police Department.
