Monday evening, Chillicothe Council heard the final numbers for next year. Auditor Krystal Spetnagel gave a final review of the 2020 city budget, which was added to the agenda and read for the first time.
It will have to be adjusted after end-of-year numbers come in, but for now, it's balanced.
A big unexpected expense has been $13,000 to $17,000 for the electricity to run the Yoctangee Park Lake fountain over the last year.
And, she says employee health insurance keeps rising, though city income does not.
Council will meet in special session 6:30 pm January 2nd so new council members can contribute to passing the approximately $50,000,000 budget, with a $22,000,000 general fund.
They have been attending most of the budget review sessions to know what they will be responsible for.
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Council continued to not act on proposed water fee regulations. Two ordinances "committed" at the end of October remained tabled.
Utilities chair Pat Patrick, who is retiring from 16 years on council, said she wanted proposed Water fee regulations to hold landlords responsible for tenants' delinquency taken care of before the end of the year, but forms to legally strengthen city policy were yet not ready.
Patrick said if you choose to be a landlord, you accept that responsibility.
But many in the audience were apparently landlords. One spoke out, Joe Sharp.
He said, yes, city code holds property owners responsible...and about 10 years ago landlords fought against the city suing to collect unpaid water fees. Then he said there was sort of a truce.
But now he says this would immediately go to the property tax, instead of simply holding them responsible.
Patrick was unsure who will handle the legislation and when.
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Council was jovial with Christmas candy and long farewells. Five council members end their tenure with the end of the year.
Kevin Coleman regularly reports on Chillicothe & Circleville councils and local culture