Auditor concerned about city finances

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert Auditor Martha Balyeat had a few concerns about the city’s financial condition that she shared with City Council during its regular meeting Monday evening.

Balyeat noted during her report to Council that General Fund expenses exceeded revenues in May, but followed that by saying year-to-date figures show General Fund expenses were $342,594 under revenues.

Her biggest concern was that General Fund tax revenues were only $23,000 higher than last year at this time, while the city also seemed to be lagging behind other Ohio communities in the percentage of income tax collections over last year. “Revenues are basically flat,” the city auditor noted.

Balyeat said the city’s income tax revenues were up about 10 percent last year, which was about average for Ohio communities in 2010. This year, however, preliminary figures show city revenues up 7.6 percent over last year at the end of May, while other communities reporting show increases of 14, 15 and even 16 percent over last year.

The city auditor did note, though, that some other communities had new taxes take effect this year, while only a relatively small number of communities have reported income tax figures. That could mean Van Wert could again be in the middle of the pack this year when more communities have reported in, Balyeat said.

In the abbreviated regular meeting, Council did take some legislative action, approving on third and final reading an ordinance authorizing Mayor Louis Ehmer to accept, on behalf of the city, the conveyance of land owned by the YMCA of Van Wert County that’s adjacent to Jubilee Park.

Council also adopted on first and final reading a resolution allowing the city to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation’s rock salt purchase program, per Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming’s recommendation.

Although the measure was far from unanimous, City Council did approve preparation of an ordinance that would provide an exception to the city’s ban on discharging weapons within the city limits. If approved after three readings, the measure would allow Willow Bend Country Club to bring in a registered hunter to shoot geese that are becoming a hazard on the golf course.

Council voted 5-1 to prepare the measure, with Second Ward Councilman Kirby Kelly voting against the ordinance and Councilman At-Large Joi Mergy abstaining.

Fourth Ward Councilman Stan Agler, while voting to prepare the legislation, said he could not support its passage, since he feels other alternatives to shooting the geese could, and should, have been pursued. ”I think there are several issues that need to be investigated before they resort to shooting,” Agler noted.

Also Monday, City Council approved Mayor Ehmer’s appointment of Pete Weir to replace Council President Gary Corcoran on the Van Wert County Regional Airport Authority board.

During his report, the mayor also said that a recent survey of 3,000 income tax returns show errors in 258 of them totaling $76,000. Of the $76,000, $29,000 was money still owed the city by taxpayers, while the other $48,000 was in overpayments.

Fleming noted during his report that concrete curbs and driveways are being installed on South Shannon Street, between Crawford Street and the railroad, and also predicted that work in that area, including asphalt paving, would be completed by July 4.

“It is looking up and we’re very much on schedule,” the safety-service director said.

Fleming also said business owners on South Shannon were complementary of ODOT’s efforts to maintain access to their businesses.

At the end of his report, the safety-service director requested a joint meeting of the Streets and Alleys and Water and Sewer committees to discuss the upcoming West Main Street reconstruction project, as well as activities related to the city’s long-range control plan. Representatives of Poggemeyer Design are also expected to attend that meeting. The meeting was scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, June 20, with a meeting of the Finance Committee to discuss transfers and supplemental appropriations to follow.

Prior to Council’s regular meeting on Monday, the Health, Safety and Service Committee discussed trash problems in the city, with more research planned in that area before legislation is prepared.

A public hearing was also held on a proposed rezoning of land owned by the Van Wert County Agricultural Society on Fox Road from R-1 to B-3. No one from the public attended the meeting to oppose the request.

Chair Joi Mergy requested a meeting of the Property and Equipment Committee to discuss city policies and ordinances related to personal use of city-owned vehicles. That meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 11.