New Bremen council OKs record appropriation

NEW BREMEN - Village council Monday night appropriated nearly $21 million for 2015.

The amount - $20,822,270 - was the highest amount ever budgeted by the village. Last year's appropriations were $18 million.

Village solicitor Steve Smith told council members he was "a little concerned" about the total appropriation.

"It's one of the highest numbers I've seen," he said.

Fiscal officer Diane Gast agreed the amount was higher than usual but does not necessarily indicate more spending.

"We don't have to spend the money just because we allocate it. It's just a precaution considering some of the projects we anticipate," Gast said.

Village administrator Wayne York said part of the reason for the higher appropriations is potential water line and street maintenance projects planned for 2015.

Don Kuck, who was re-elected Monday night as council president, said the budget reflects a maximum to be spent.

"The amount we allocate is actually the cap for how much we can spend anyway, so that's why we want (the budget) a little higher at first," he assured council. "It does not necessarily mean we will be spending that much. We just want to make sure we will be able to complete any projects that come up."

The village will have more money to work with this year, mayor Jeff Pape said.

"We finally got our final figures on income taxes from last year. We brought in $3,373,123.17, which is a 14 percent increase over the year before," he said.

Also on Monday, council suspended the three-reading rule and approved an emergency resolution to grant a 2 percent raise to all 24 full-time village employees, effective immediately.

The employees last year received a 50-cent per hour raise. Council alternates raises each year between set amounts and percentages, York said.

Council also on Monday in emergency action amended a resolution for a contract with the city of St. Marys from one to three years to handle the village's income tax.

Village officials had sought a one-year contract but city officials rejected the idea.

"St. Marys said that they have had villages attempt to make similar changes in the past and that they will not allow it," Smith said.

In other business, council,

• approved third reading of a resolution to sell by sealed bids a surplus leaf machine and two police cruisers.

• approved third reading of a resolution to sell three impounded vehicles by sealed bid.

• approved third reading of a resolution to pay $15,000 to the New Bremen Emergency Squad for equipment and training.

• had a 40-minute executive session concerning real estate but took no action.

- Daily Standard reporter William Kincaid contributed to this story.