GALION, Ohio — Galion’s financial outlook plan for the next fiscal year was revised to include funding for the city’s public information officer during Tuesday night’s meeting.
Council unanimously approved the legislation with ease moving the plan through to the final reading.
According to mayor Tom O’Leary, funding for the PIO was appropriated by moving funds from four categories of city spending into the city’s mayor budget, including payroll, benefits, contract services and an elimination of a $10,000 capital outlay.
The $10,000 capital outlay was assigned to go toward the purchase of a new computer, equipment repairs and other non-specific equipment repairs, said O’Leary. That has been eliminated to make room in the budget for the new position.
O’Leary also said funds were left over from an inspection contractor, for which the city had originally allocated funds to cover approximately 1,000 hours of work. The contractor worked for approximately 360 hours, according to O’Leary.
“I continue to believe that the implications of this decision (to fund a government employed PIO) is a good expense, a good investment,” said O’Leary.
Council member Thomas Fellner said the amendments made to include funding for the PIO would not alter the city’s budget.
O’Leary said the PIO, for which there are nine applicants, would begin working during the first week of March with a 35-hour workweek at $13.50 per hour. The position is funded for 44 weeks through 2016.
Also approved Tuesday night was a contract extension to March 31, 2016 between Galion’s fire department and Polk Township. The five-year agreement includes EMS and fire services provided by Galion.
Law Director Thomas Palmer said the contract’s extension will ensure everything within the contract, which originally expired Dec. 31, 2015, when finalized.
Council also approved the city’s 2015 appropriations.
“It’s primarily to make sure we got everything we need to end the year,” said Treisch.
In other news, the Galion Police Department welcomed two new officers to the force. Darren Patrick, of Prospect, and Timothy Johnson III, of Mansfield, were sworn in Tuesday night by O’Leary.
Chief of Police Brian Saterfield said Patrick and Johnson bring the department’s roll call back up to 18.
Galion’s next council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. A special meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. in the municipal building to swear in the newly appointed city officials: council members Gail Baldinger and Jim Hedges and treasurer Rodney Sparks.
A reorganizational meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. in the municipal building.
