| Middletown City Managers Weekly Update to Council May 10, 2009 |
| Wednesday, May 13, 2009 3:12:36 PM - Middletown Ohio |
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Weekly Update to City Council
from the City Manager
May 10, 2009
Budget Shortfall
Recent estimates
appear that we will be down by $1Million this year in revenues. Department Heads are working toward plans to
address the shortfall this year. In addition,
we are having discussions on how to make reductions for next year. Options that we are considering include
across-the-board cuts or strategic cuts by function; pay cuts and furloughs for
employees; examining levels of service - do we continue to limp along with
services or do we make decisions about cutting services. Tough decisions and discussions. We will have a recommendation from the Department
Heads for Finance Committee to consider.
Small Business Development Center
Our Small Business Development Center is co‐sponsoring a breakfast presentation on Wednesday, May 20th by Debbie Bata, Director of Business Services, with the Ohio Secretary of State's Office. She will review current and future services available to small businesses from the Secretary of State's office and answer questions from the audience. Services for not‐for‐profit organizations will also be discussed. Please see attached flyer for details.
Pioneer Cemetery
We are still getting estimates for work at the vault that can be done for $22,000. That is the upper end of the budget, with $11,000 coming from the very generous community foundation and $11,000 potentially coming from the city. It does not appear that any other group in the community is interested in funding renovation work. If we are not able to make significant improvements to the vault with the $22,000, then we will demolish the structure.
Staff and I met last week with Fred Wehr and one of his Board Members of Woodside Cemetery to discuss cemetery maintenance. We spend about $10‐15,000 per year on maintenance (mowing and trimming mostly) for the 12 acre Pioneer Cemetery; this figure is very low. We will be continuing conversations with Mr. Wehr after Memorial Day on ways that we can improve cemetery maintenance, however, given our current budget situation, I do not anticipate increasing the level of funding for maintenance.
Orange Barrel Season…
Is here, in Middletown! This year we will be paving N. Breiel, Sutphin, and University. In addition we are filling potholes, performing crack seal and striping. We realize that this is a city priority and have worked toward making improvements in this area.
Article in Middletown Journal on Pool/Weatherwax
There was a recent guest editorial that mentioned the 2008 subsidy of $220,000 to Weatherwax Golf Course. The article stated that we were planning to provide that same subsidy for 2009. That is not true. We have fully funded the golf course operations for 2009; if the weather cooperates, the golf course will not need a general fund subsidy.
Upcoming Events
May 12 - Board of Health meeting, 7:30 a.m., Conference Room 2C
May 13 - City Planning Commission meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council Chambers B
(correction)
May 13 - Finance Sub‐committee, 5:00 p.m. Conference Room 2C
May 14 - Body Design by Therese Ribbon Cutting, 12:15 p.m., 823 Elliot Drive, Suite 1
May 19 - Small Business Development Workshop, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Chamber of
Commerce
May 19 - City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers
May 25 - Memorial Day Holiday – City Building closed
May 25 - Memorial Day Parade, 10:00 a.m.
May 29 - Butler County Legislative Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., The Knolls of Oxford, Main Building, 6727 Contreras Rd. Contact Oxford Chamber of Commerce at 513‐523‐5200. Council members, please let Betsy know if you plan on attending.
May 30 - Main Street Art and Music Festival, 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m., Arts Central
District, Central Ave.
June 1 - Park Board meeting, 5:30 p.m., Conference Room 2C
June 2 - City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers
Links for additional information:
City Manager’s Weekly Update: http://www.cityofmiddletown.org
Middletown Community Calendar: http://www.calendarwiz.com/middletowncalendar
Pothole Patrol: www.cityofmiddletown.org or call 727‐3691 (Option 2)
Have a great week! Judy
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