×

East Palestine to seek renewals of park levies

EAST PALESTINE — The village has officially decided to seek two park levy renewals this November.

Council on Monday passed legislation to seek 1-mill and 2-mill levies that would generate a combined $128,000 a year for five years.

Levy renewals result in no tax increase to residents.

If passed, the tax revenue would start being collected in 2018, with the 1-mill levy accounting for $42,700 in annual revenue and the 2-mill accounting for $85,300 in revenue.

The legislation was passed unanimously with no discussion.

Although park revenue has increased significantly over prior years, the park fund remains in the red, with a $37,529 deficit projected for the end of 2018, according to the 2018 proposed budget put before council that evening.

Council gave a first reading to legislation establishing the proposed 2018 budget. The budget will not be finalized until December.

According to the budget the park fund currently has a balance of $41,331, although expenses are at $157,680.

By the end of this year the budget is expected to have a balance of $3,365.

The park fund is supplemented by the general fund.

Also included in the budget are several proposed capital improvement projects, including a park pavilion project and tennis court renovations, which will be funded through grants and a village match.

According to the budget, the village’s anticipated match for the pavilion project is $10,143 and $14,400 for the tennis courts.

Others requests included in the budget are new Tasers for the police department, estimated to cost $5,972. The current Tasers are at the end of their lifespan, according to the police department.

The department is also requesting a new backup heating and air conditioning unit at the station, estimated to cost $25,000.

The fire department has also requested the budget include a possible increase in stand-by hours for EMS, estimated to cost $37,734.

Some proposed items not yet included in the budget are a park mower, estimated to cost $13,000, turnout gear for the fire department, $4,500 and heart monitors for the fire department, $40,100.

The village is expected to operate on an estimated $5.8 million budget in 2018, with the general fund accounting for $1.7 million.

Council also approved:

— A final vote to purchase a new street sweeper for $171,546, and financing it over five years with annual payments of $37,977, to be paid from the street fund and capital improvement fund.

— Emergency legislation accepting the American Legal Publishing updates to the village’s codified ordinances. This is a routine update.

— A resolution accepting the amounts and rates of authorized levies for the upcoming year as certified by the county auditor, also routine legislation.

A utility committee meeting was set for 6 p.m. and a finance committee for 6:30 p.m. prior to the next regular meeting.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today