Falls council tackles cutting spending limit

First vote passes to trim money spent without board’s approval

NEWTON FALLS -- Village council by a 3-2 vote has given initial reading to an ordinance lowering the spending threshold for the village manager and department heads from $25,000 to $10,000.

If passed, the ordinance would allow village manager Pam Priddy and other department heads to spend $10,000 on village business without council approval. The limit now is $25,000. However, some members of council expressed concern about the lower amount for emergency situations in the water, wastewater and electric departments.

Council members approving the ordinance were Patricia Benetis, Kevin Rufener and Julie Stimpert. Voting against the change were Brian Axiotis and Brenda Persino.

Public comments will be received at 6 p.m. Wednesday before council gives final reading.

Priddy read letters from department heads expressing concerns over lowering the amount as there will be emergency situations where a piece of equipment such as a pump or transformer costing more than $10,000 may be needed to fix a water break or power outage.

"The threshold is too low for emergency situations with utilities. They are risking their licenses if they do not comply within a certain amount of time. We need to rewrite this and exclude emergency situations for utilities," said Axiotis, noting he does not want the supervisors to have their "hands tied" in emergency situations,

Persino also expressed similar concerns, noting if something major happens such as a transformer going out, it needs to be corrected as quickly as possible and there would be limited time for two readings by council. Persino said residents should not have to wait if their electricity goes off or if their basements are being flooded with sewage,

Rufener said council could call an emergency meeting within 10 hours and pass emergency legislation to get the department head or village manager the approved funds for needed part to rectify a problem or in an emergency situation.

He said $25,000 is a lot for someone to have the ability to use and spend without council approval, noting there has been concern expressed by officials and residents over the village's finances.

GREAT ROOM

In other business, council voted 5-0 approving the use of the "Great Room" at the municipal building for council committee and other meetings.

The Great Room is the large area directly outside village council chambers. Priddy said the different committees and boards already have the ability to use that room, but Rufener said there will be a schedule put in place so there is no conflict on who needs to use the room.

He said previously people could schedule a meeting at the community center, but that is no longer an option. Council also has scheduled an executive session for Wednesday to meet with six applicants who have expressed interest in serving on a police services ad hoc committee.

Axiotis said this will allow council members to see what experience or knowledge of law enforcement the applicants have.

In other action, council:

Approved Rick Kerlin as a member of the community services committee.

Heard from Priddy that she pulled her license to run the senior kitchen but said the village itself could get a license to continue running the kitchen.

Heard from resident Denny Cottrill who asked if the village will put anything in place to address marijuana laws that went into effect Jan. 1.