On votes of seven in favor and one opposed, the Trenton City Council last night approved ordinances adopting budgets for the city and municipal utilities effective with the fiscal year that begins May 1st.
Councilman Brad Chumbley cast the only nay vote when the council members were polled individually.
The two budgets do not include any increases in compensation for employees.
Councilman Travis Elbert noted the city did absorb increases in employee health insurance costs. Elbert pointed out some $54,000 is being removed from the city’s share for economic development as that effort will be focused in the near future outside city government. Elbert said about $45,000 is being saved as two previous positions – City Administrator and the TMU Director – were combined into one. He also noted $30,000 was taken from the chip and seal program.
Street Supervisor Martin Schieb indicated nearly the same amount of work will be done – more efficiently with less cost.
The city of Trenton projects the current fiscal year should end next month with a $331,000 balance. That increases the city’s fund balance, or reserves, to more than $1,338,000 to begin the new fiscal year May 1.
Despite the reductions we’ve mentioned, the new budget shows expenditures exceeding revenues by $235,000. Revenues top two million, $888,000.
Expenditures are more than $3,123,000. An operating transfer from the road use fund for $235,000 takes care of the deficit.
Among administrative salaries in the budget is City Administrator Ron Urton at $85,000; City Clerk Cindy Simpson at $49,680; $3,000 for Mayor Nick McHargue; and $1,200 for each of the eight council members.
Among others Police Chief Tommy Wright at $67, 200; Fire Chief Brandon Gibler at $44, 600; Street Supervisor Martin Schieb at $49,300; and Code Enforcement Officer, Building Inspector Donnie Vandevender $37,300.
The Trenton Municipal Utilities Budget shows gross revenues in electric, water, and wastewater funds of $13,875,000 which is $2,350,000 more than expenditures. But when depreciation is included, the net revenues drop to $755,000. Expenses from production, distribution, and administrative top $11,524,000. The depreciation is listed at nearly $1,600,000.
With the utility rate increases factored in, each of the three funds – after principal payments on debts – show a profit for the fiscal year. Capital outlays that are proposed to reduce the net cash increase in electric, and create deficits in water and in wastewater funds for the year.
The city council adopted an ordinance to have Irvinbilt Company of Chillicothe install two 12-inch raw water valves. The council approved the purchase of a 2015 John Deere tractor from Sydenstrickers of Chillicothe for $120, 884 dollars. The sewer department will use the tractor to pull the sludge spreader. There also was some discussion of the value in the sludge being spread as fertilizer on area farm fields.
Councilman Brad Chumbley withdrew his request to consider recreational boating for fishing on the city reservoir when it was learned DNR would have several requirements, and he expressed concerns about the possible cost to the city.
Mayor Nick McHargue stated he’d like to know what DNR would allow in terms of the required boat ramp that would access the reservoir. It was stated the DNR would have to grant their permission to allow a change in the permitted use of the reservoir.
Among reports, Police Chief Tommy Wright noted the department is three officers short of being fully staffed. Applicants are needed but are hard to come by.
Fire Chief Brandon Gibler said he would have liked to have six full-time firefighters for the department – allowing two per shift 24/7. But the sixth slot instead will be filled by part-time firefighters. He noted there are three new, pay per call, firemen.
Donnie Vandevender plans to attend a statewide meeting for airport managers.
Rosetta Marsh promoted the online bill-pay feature that recently began in the city of Trenton website. It allows TMU customers to pay their utility bill online and view their history of usage.
Ralph Boots said a dozen students are participating in youth leadership Trenton and are looking for volunteer opportunities involving community projects or entities.
City Administrator Ron Urton, in discussing the 17th street bridge project and transportation sales tax, has presentations noon tomorrow with the Chamber of Commerce and a public forum from 5 to 7 pm tomorrow at Sugg Room of the Ketcham Center.
