The Finance Committee of Galion City Council convened its regular meeting on Wednesday evening. The meeting began with routine approvals of the December 15 minutes and the evening’s agenda as the chair expressed gratitude to the committee members for their dedication and emphasized the importance of addressing critical financial issues at hand.

Addressing Budget Amendments

Key discussions included several budget appropriations and adjustments:

• Section 1: A remaining $5,069 from the SAFER grant was allocated to Fund 215 for expenses. This final adjustment reflects leftover funds after all expenses were covered, and it ensures proper use of grant money to meet the stipulated requirements.
• Section 3: The committee appropriated $344,517.16 for advances in the Airport Grant Fund 205 to resolve budgeting oversights from the previous year. The oversight was attributed to timing issues, and this adjustment helps reconcile discrepancies in financial records.
• Sections 4 and 5: Reimbursement grants received shortly after the budget was approved were corrected in the financial records, ensuring accurate allocations. This step highlights the committee’s commitment to maintaining fiscal accuracy.
• Section 6: The committee formalized the $100,000 transfer to the Health Department, a standard annual procedure that supports essential public health operations.
• Section 7: An appropriation of $20,000 was proposed for technical services related to a stormwater study, fulfilling EPA mandates. This allocation ensures compliance with regulatory requirements while advancing local infrastructure goals.

EPA Stormwater Study and Mandates

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the EPA-required No Feasible Alternative Study. The study aims to address high-flow issues at the wastewater plant during heavy rainfall events, which can cause bypassing of untreated water. Committee members noted that this issue has been a longstanding challenge and emphasized the importance of prioritizing environmental compliance.

The city engaged Wessler Engineering to conduct the study, which will:

• Investigate stormwater inflow issues, such as downspouts and sump pumps improperly connected to the sewer system.
• Identify high-flow areas using flow meters and prioritize critical infrastructure improvements.
• Comply with EPA mandates to develop long-term solutions, including potential storage expansions or bypass alternatives.

The study will include a comprehensive analysis of existing infrastructure, identifying inefficiencies that contribute to excess flow during rain events. Committee members acknowledged that delays in addressing these issues have compounded the problem, but expressed optimism that Wessler Engineering’s expertise would ensure progress.

Employee Benefits and Salary Adjustments

The committee turned its attention to wages and benefits for elected officials and city employees. A detailed analysis compared salaries and benefits over several years, highlighting areas for improvement. Key points included:

• Benefits Disparities: Elected officials currently lack access to the same health, dental, and vision insurance as other city employees. The committee discussed aligning benefits to ensure fairness and attract qualified candidates for public office.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): Officials do not receive city contributions to HSAs, which all other employees enjoy. Committee members supported amending ordinances to provide equal benefits. This change would align the benefits package with standard city policies.
• Wage Adjustments: The committee debated potential raises for elected officials, comparing current salaries to hypothetical increases if officials had received the same raises as city employees since 2012. Proposed salary adjustments included:
  • Council members: $6,000 annually
  • President of Council: $9,947 annually
  • Mayor: $47,308 annually

Committee members stressed the importance of transparency and emphasized that these changes would not affect current officeholders unless they were re-elected. They also noted that fair compensation is essential for encouraging participation in local government.

Broader Implications

Members acknowledged that small-town budgets often struggle to balance competitive wages with limited resources. However, they emphasized the need to fairly compensate officials for their time and responsibilities. As one member stated, “Elected positions are full-time commitments, even if the pay doesn’t reflect that.” This statement, however, is not entirely accurate. There is nothing in Ohio or local law that sets hours for elected officials.

The committee also discussed the long-term impact of stagnant salaries, noting that regular, modest adjustments could prevent large increases in the future. The possibility of automatic cost-of-living adjustments was raised for further exploration. Additionally, members highlighted that improved benefits and wages could enhance the city’s ability to attract qualified individuals to public service roles.

Next Steps and Transparency

To ensure fairness and clarity, the committee decided to draft two separate ordinances for the next meeting:

1. An ordinance addressing benefits alignment for elected officials.
2. An ordinance detailing salary adjustments.

These ordinances will be reviewed during the next committee meeting on February 12 at 7:00 PM, with the goal of presenting them to the full council by the end of February. Members stressed the importance of finalizing these changes well before the August filing deadline for the next election cycle, ensuring potential candidates have a clear understanding of compensation.

The committee also emphasized the importance of public engagement, encouraging residents to review and provide feedback on the proposed changes. By involving the community, the committee hopes to build trust and foster a transparent decision-making process.

Closing Remarks

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to transparency and equity in the city’s policies. Members expressed optimism that the proposed changes would bring meaningful improvements to local governance.

The next Finance Committee meeting will be held on February 12 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, with members encouraged to prepare for further discussions on these important issues.