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NILES -- In October 2014, the state declared Niles to be in a fiscal emergency because of a deficit in the city's water department and several other departments.
After three years of working to get out of the fiscal emergency, the city is planning to file file for the release by the end of the year.
Friday, during Good Morning Niles, an event put on by the regional chamber, Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz talked about how the city was on the right track fiscally.
"Our general fund is rebounding," Mientkiewicz said. "It is projected to be at the end of the year with $2.6 million in our general fund. That's up from literally zero dollars back in 2014."
The general fund is used to operate the city, Mientkiewicz said.
"Police, fire, park, cemetery, municipal courts -- it's all subsidized by the general fund," Mientkiewicz said.
One of the things that the city has done is it switched over to Regional Income Tax agency to handle all collections for income tax.
"We are projected to end the fiscal year this year with a conservative $8.7 million. That's a big stride in our eyes from where we were in the past," Mientkiewicz said.
City officials have also made it easier for residents to see what their money is being used for. Residents can view the city finances on OhioCheckbook.com
"Every dollar that comes into the city, every dollar that goes out of the city is available for view on the online checkbook," Mientkiewicz said. "That's one thing we incorporated this year."
The water fund is also rebounding after being in a $1.5 million deficit. The fund is projected to have $2.5 million in it by 2022.
"Sewerlines, hydrants, all of our lines underground are very expensive," Mientkiewicz said. "When you add it all up, you could be moving in a negative direction because of the expenses. We're fortunate enough to now have some solid base under our feet on the water front."
The water fund pays for operation of the city's water department and maintenance of the distribution system.
A $35 million water treatment plant expansion and upgrade project should be done in December, Mientkiewicz said.
"It's on pace to meet it's budget and this water treatment faculty will now be able to handle 25 million gallons of water per day, as per Ohio EPA standards," Mientkiewicz said.
In addition to working on being better fiscally, officials are working on cleaning up the city, Mientkiewicz said.
New LED street light and traffic signals have been installed on U.S. Route 422, North Road, Robins Avenue, Vienna Avenue, and Main Street.
The new lights are "brighter, safer, and more cost-efficient," Mientkiewicz said.
Mientkiewicz said they are also working on tearing down homes that are old, condemned and vacant. Through the end of the year, 21 homes are planned to be demolished, Mientkiewicz said.
The city is working with Trumbull Neighborhood Partners, a nonprofit Community Development Corporation that "empowers residents and promote sustainable community development through projects and programs that increase the quality of life in Warren's neighborhoods" to tear down the homes, he said.
"We're trying to clean up our city," Mientkiewicz said.
cramey@tribtoday.com