The proposed 2012 budget for Tiffin includes just a few cuts to services and staff.
During a Tiffin City Council meeting Monday evening, members heard the first reading of a proposed $10.04 million General Fund budget from Mayor Jim Boroff, a decrease from $10.1 million this year. The proposal includes no layoffs, and retains parks and recreation services, including the pool and fireworks.
"If this budget goes through, unless something happens on the revenue side we don't foresee or there is a catastrophic expense, this should hold the labor force pretty much where it is," Boroff said.
Boroff said the city is lacking in carryover from 2011, and said there is about $400,000 available, half of what is needed to cover salary expenses for January.
"That's the money we have, but it's just a matter of how it's going to be budgeted," he said.
The budget includes using sewer revenue funds for 33 percent of the salaries for some administration positions, as is the recommendation from the state. Council passed an ordinance in 2009 requiring sewer revenue funds be limited to 25 percent of those salaries in 2012.
Council saw the proposal for the first time Monday. Councilman Mark Hayes commented they are to have more discussions on the budget in the coming weeks.
A special committee of the whole meeting is scheduled 5 p.m. Dec. 6.
The city is involved in union negotiations, the next of which is Dec. 2. Boroff said the city had preliminary discussions with the collective bargaining units, but negotiations had been put on hold until after the Nov. 2 general election.
That day, Ohio voters repealed Senate Bill 5, which would have limited collective bargaining for public employees.
In other news, Boroff said he received a copy of a letter from State Auditor Dave Yost to State Tax Commissioner Joseph Testa, expressing concern over the possibility of the state taking over municipal income tax collections.
Yost's concerns dealt with the cost of taking over collections and cash flow issues incurred by local governments.
City council approved a proclamation opposing the idea, which was sent to Gov. John Kasich.
Clerk Ruth Kin read a letter into record from Kasich's office stating the proclamation was received.
Also, Boroff said Heidelberg University has signed all necessary easements and license for the Greenfield Street project to begin.
He said the project could be bid out in late December or early January.
In new business, council:
Heard the Kiwanis Holiday Parade steps off from St. Joseph Church at 11 a.m. Dec. 3. That also is the weekend of Victorian Christmas.
Approved an ordinance establishing a fund and appropriating money for the Rock Creek Sewer Interceptor Improvement Project and related expenses.
