What began as a routine Galion City Council Utilities Committee meeting Wednesday evening soon turned into a wide-ranging and candid discussion about the financial future of a city’s most fundamental services: water and sewer. The true weight of the evening quickly emerged—how to close a growing budgetary shortfall without overly burdening residents or depleting the city’s general fund.
The Million-Dollar Problem
The city currently transfers nearly $1 million from its general fund to cover shortfalls in the water and sewer budgets—an unsustainable practice, many agreed. Committee members acknowledged that while the general fund remains strong for now, repeated transfers erode the city’s flexibility to handle future emergencies or opportunities.
The reality, as one member stated, is sobering. “I don’t believe that we can raise rates enough anytime this year to make up all of this,” Mayor O’Leary added.
Potential water and sewer rate increases were reviewed, offering models for how incremental changes—ranging from 15% to 25%—might affect families of different sizes. For a typical household using four units of water per month, a 20% increase would mean an additional $6 to $8 per month across water and sewer bills.
That added revenue, however, is not just about closing a budget gap. It’s about preparing for a looming wave of infrastructure needs, including EPA-mandated upgrades, aging sewer lines, and the long-postponed maintenance of city reservoirs.
Capital vs. Operations: A Delicate Balance
While some funds are earmarked for capital improvements, the bulk of the current shortfall is operational. As staff explained, many of the most urgent repairs—generators, pumps, waterline breaks—aren’t covered by grants and must be paid for out-of-pocket.
Committee members debated the fairness of relying solely on ratepayers. The suggestion was made about exploring a property tax to share costs more evenly across all property owners, arguing that all residents benefit from a working water and sewer system, not just heavy users.
A Broader Context: Local Government Funding Cuts
Underlying the financial strain is a long-term trend that’s hit municipalities statewide: deep cuts in Local Government Funds from the state. One official recalled the days when these funds covered more of the city’s expenses, lamenting that the city has lost potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars annually due to policy changes in Columbus.
The Way Forward: Tough Choices, Transparent Communication
The Committee agreed that simply continuing general fund transfers would mislead residents about the real cost of providing water and sewer services. They expressed concern that delaying hard choices now would only make future decisions more painful.
Ideas for moving forward included:
- Phased-in rate increases to soften the impact.
- Exploring a dedicated property assessment to fund major reservoir work.
- Reviewing capital project priorities.
- Seeking public input through a special Utilities Committee meeting in April or early May.
Staffing and Supervision Challenges
Beyond finances, the discussion touched on operational concerns, including a recent vacancy in the water superintendent role. The city recently hired a new employee but must resolve how best to supervise and document field repairs—especially under the scrutiny of the Ohio EPA.
Conclusion: A Moment of Leadership
Committee members acknowledged the need to act quickly but wisely. They aim to finalize rate adjustment proposals by early May and emphasized the importance of public trust and transparency in the process.
As the meeting adjourned at 7:48 PM, one thing was clear: the city stands at a critical juncture—balancing the needs of today with the realities of tomorrow, and doing so under the watchful eye of residents who simply want clean water, functional sewers, and a fair shake.
Image by Bruce Emmerling from Pixabay
