Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

Celina approves $38.94M budget

By William Kincaid
CELINA - City council members on Monday unanimously approved the 2012 budget.
The ordinance sets aside $38.94 million for all city accounts and funds. Of the total, $6.53 million is designated for the city's general fund used for operating costs, including the police and fire departments.
The city will start the year with a general fund carryover of $1.165 million.
City administrators slashed more than $1 million from the proposed 2012 budget. One of the significant changes was a $1.18 million reduction to the electric fund, bringing it to $18.05 million.
Mayor Jeff Hazel and safety service director Tom Hitchcock both have stressed that they didn't want any city department to spend more than it takes in this year.
Other appropriations for 2012 include $2.112 million for wastewater; $3.48 million for water; $2.821 million for total debt payments; $784,636 for capital projects; $469,079 for parks and recreation; $182,812 for storm water; $703,912 for street construction, maintenance and repair; $32,050 for state highway improvement; $20,000 for street repair supplies and material; $176,721 for policemen's relief and pension; $225,534 for fireman's relief and pension; $45,000 for indigent driver's alcohol treatment; $1,000 for law enforcement and education; $2,000 for drug enforcement; $200,000 for court computer; $189,253 for downtown revitalization; $25,000 for indigent offender special project; $451,120 for GAC debt retirement; $120,000 for utility deposit; $1.87 million for self-insurance; $21,000 for unclaimed money; and $403,975 for the wastewater bond.
Hazel and Hitchcock have said supplemental appropriations presented to council for new spending - a common practice in past years - will be significantly reduced this year.
Council members on Monday also passed final readings of two ordinances authorizing Hitchcock to seek bids and enter into contracts for city projects, capital equipment, materials and supplies.
One piece of legislation will allow Hitchcock to enter into contracts for wastewater and water treatment chemicals and for labor and equipment for street marking, crack sealing, tree trimming and upgrading of the electric distribution system. The other ordinance will allow him to enter into contracts for vehicles, equipment, software and capital projects.
Additional online story on this date
ST. HENRY - The village is increasing its police department with a new auxiliary force.
Council members on Monday night unanimously approved an ord [More]
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Cards change, but message of love still the same
MINSTER - Rita Hoying of Minster lays out Valentine's Day cards on her dining room table, smiling at designs dating back more than a century.
Many
Election
Note:
Scott Bruns withdrew his candidacy at a meet-the-candidates forum on February 26.
Long-entrenched Mercer County Commissioner Jerry Laffin is being challenged in the Republican primary on March 6 by political newcomer Scott Bruns.
Election
Mercer County Commissioner Bob Nuding is being opposed in the Republican primary by Rick Muhlenkamp.
The winner of the March 6 primary will face any independents who file by March 5 to run in the Nov. 6 general election. No Democrats filed for the position.
Election
Mercer County voters are being asked March 6 to approve a countywide property tax levy to support the Mercer County-Celina City Health Department.
Election
School district residents in New Bremen and Coldwater will see new levies on the March 6 primary election ballot - one to construct a new school and the other for operating expenses to offset a future deficit.
CELINA - Six teachers were awarded $100 mini-grants on Monday from the Celina Education Association for classroom supplies.
The grants, announced d
ST. MARYS - City council members on Monday gave first reading of an ordinance authorizing a payment plan for the $2.7 million the city owes for an unbuilt coal-fired plant.
Truck estimated to cost $540,000
CELINA - City administrators are reviewing the requirements of a $225,000 federal grant to make sure the fire department can purchase the vehicle it needs.
WAYNESFIELD - Parkway fended off all of Waynesfield-Goshen's chances to get the lead over the final quarter and a half to pick up their seventh win o
Monday's Area Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
It will be an All-Auglaize County final as Minster and New Bremen will play for the Midwest Athletic Conference's seventh-grade girls basketball championship on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Fort Recovery Middle School after semifinal action on Monday at the Fort.