Plain City Mayor Jody Carney and Pleasant Valley Fire District Chief Mark Kidd took a moment to honor Council member John Rucker, whose term will expire at the end of this year after eight years on council. Kidd, at left, said he is thankful for Rucker’s leadership on the fire board, especially during a period of change. He said he brought a level of knowledge and experience that often led other members to seek his opinions. Similarly, Carney said Rucker was seen as “the person you looked to for guidance” when she joined council in 2018. She said he has “always desired what is best for the village, now and into the future.”
(Journal-Tribune photo by Kayleen Petrovia)
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Plain City Council approved the village’s 2024 budget, with an emphasis on working toward goals like connectivity, roadway improvements and public safety.
“The proposed 2024 budget reflects the need for continued investment in providing dependable and trustworthy service to residents, as well as critical infrastructure investments,” Village Administrator Haley Lupton wrote in a letter prefacing the budget.
On Monday, council voted unanimously to approve the budget she presented.
Plain City officials are budgeting $17,002,012.50 in income in 2024, with $17,684,642.50 in expenses. They anticipate ending the year with $11,237,522.80 total, down slightly from the estimated balance to start 2024, $11,920,152.80.
Lupton explained that general fund expenses are increasing overall.
She said she believes regionalization of services through the establishment of the Mid-Ohio Water and Sewer District is in the village’s best interest, it is resulting in a higher street operating budget.
Likewise, Lupton explained that the police budget has been operating at a lower transfer level for the past several years and is “now due for a greater supplement from the general fund.”
“As a result, other costs have been minimized to absorb the greater spending needed for these (streets and police) departments in 2024,” she wrote.
Lupton also emphasized that “inflation continues to be an issue in all aspects of budgeting” as costs “consistently come in higher than expected.”
Lupton noted that total income tax revenues this year are about 10% higher than in 2022, which they hope to continue to see in 2024.
Still, she said Plain City is currently facing an increasing need for services without enough revenue, as the increase in income tax revenue “does not equate to enough money to cover the services the village provides.”
“However, we hope this trend does not last many more years,” Lupton wrote.
Since discussions surrounding the 2024 budget began earlier this year, Lupton has emphasized a desire to create a budget that reflects council and staff goals.
In her letter, she said the 2024 budget specifically reflects a desire to connect parts of town and invest in pedestrian improvements, as well as work to ensure village roads are in good condition for as long as possible.
Lupton said she also expects residents to see “the fruits of (council’s) efforts” to spend on public spaces and parks in 2024.
Similarly, the administrator said next year’s budget will allow the village to expand its event offerings.
Lupton touched on the completion of the Economic Development Strategy this year, as staff intends to continue planning efforts in 2024. She said the village plans to engage in a land use study with area townships to bolster its goal of smart planning and due diligence.
She said a U.S. 42 Safety Study is in the works, “with an end goal of major road reconstruction projects to be completed in phases from Amity Pike to Route 736.”
Lupton also shared several “limitations” faced by the 2024 budget.
Following the regionalization of water and sewer services, Lupton said the village’s sewer system is without a funding stream.
She said staff is working on a stormwater utility study in order to present council with results in 2024.
“This can potentially be a source of revenue to manage our aging or non-existent storm sewer infrastructure,” Lupton said.
Additionally, she said there is a continued reliance on transfers from the general fund to support village operations.
Lupton explained that levy revenue alone is not sufficient to support the police department and the parks department does not have a levy to support it, though campground revenue allows it to operate without transfers. She said officials are expecting a decrease in campground revenue due to the six-month limit on stays approved this year.
“Although the Village of Plain City faces challenges in the upcoming year, these trials are not unique to us, and I am confident we will move forward together,” Lupton wrote.
She said resident satisfaction is staff’s ultimate goal, and they will continue efforts to spend responsibly and search for new revenue sources, including grants.