MAYOR'S MESSAGE

Craig A. Stough 12/20/2007

"2008 Operating Budget Approved"

Sylvania City Council unanimously approved the 2008 Operating Budget during their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, December 17, 2007. No new taxes or assessments were included in the budget. The financial health of the City of Sylvania remains strong.

The City's income tax receipts grew in 2007, and are expected to continue growing in 2008 due to new businesses and more people working in town. As a result of this growth, City Council has voted for the second straight year to reduce property taxes, and for 2008 has chosen not to collect 1.5 mills of existing property tax previously collected for debt reduction and the general fund. This property tax reduction will save our taxpayers about $669,000 in 2008 property taxes.

City Council took an active role in reviewing the budget prior to its formal acceptance, with three finance committee meetings held to discuss it in detail after the administration presented it in early November. I believe members of City Council have developed a clear understanding of City budget issues, both revenues and expenses.

Most operating budget accounts were adjusted incrementally from 2007 levels to reflect the increased costs of providing City services due to inflation, labor agreements and the increased cost of fuel. Health insurance costs are increasing much faster than inflation, and required higher budget adjustments to accommodate.

City Council is also considering the five year Capital Improvements Budget distributed to them in mid-November. Major improvements contemplated for 2008 include the asphalt milling and repaving of Monroe Street from U.S. 23 east to the City limits, in conjunction with an ODOT repaving project planned all the way to Talmadge Road. In addition, neighborhood street repaving projects will continue without property owner assessments. Convent Boulevard will be milled and repaved. The first phase of the Acres Road reconstruction will begin.

City Council has authorized the engineering of streetscape improvements from U.S. 23 to Harroun Road as recommended in the Gateway Study to improve the appearance of Monroe Street. If approved for bidding and construction, the improvements will include the installation of a planted median, decorative streetlights, burial of crossover electrical wires, signage improvements and more.

The capital improvement budget also proposes water, stormwater and wastewater utility improvements. Upgrades to City parks, buildings, parking lots and sidewalks are also being considered by City Council.