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MIDDLEFIELD -- The village is bustling as evidenced by higher income tax revenue and the number of zoning permits issued last month, according to village officials at the January council meeting.
Fiscal officer Nick Giardina said the budget is off to a good start, with two of the three main revenue categories -- income tax and water -- up from this time last year. He said income tax collection was at $404,138 last month, a small increase from January 2023, which saw $386,000 in income tax collected.
The water department revenue for January was $90,803, a $4,000 increase over last year, Giardina said. The sewer department revenue for January was $107,000, down about $14,000 from last year, so the net budget increase for January was $5,610 in those three categories.
"You can't make much of anything. It's one month into the year, but so far we are up in revenue and down in expenses," Giardina said. "We really won't know how our income tax collection is until we get to April."
Fire Chief Joe Tucholski said fire department training is ongoing, including inspecting compression systems and practicing a variety of rescue techniques. He also said he is researching the purchase of a new pump truck / tanker that will hold approximately 3,000 gallons of water.
Village Administrator and Economic Development Director Leslie Gambosi-McCoy said the storefront grant program and the revolving loan fund are doing well. She also said three village loans were paid off early.
Zoning inspector John Boksansky issued seven zoning permits in January. Officials said at one time, the community would go months without any zoning permits being issued.
Tucholski, who also is the streets and utilities director, said a lot of repairs were made at the wastewater and water treatment plants and little snow removal was done in January because of the mild weather. He said in the police department, all the newly hired officers are doing well with their training, noting the department was reimbursed $10,000 for its online training from the state last year and he is hoping to get reimbursed again.
Tucholski said the police department will need new dashboard computers so officers can communicate better with the county dispatchers. He added the cost is built into the budget, as are funds for a new cruiser that will be ordered this year, but purchased next year.
In other business, council:
• Thanked the Middlefield VFW for its $2,000 donation to the Shop with a Cop program.
• Discussed marijuana dispensaries and future zoning regulations that may be needed for the now-legal recreational marijuana. Officials said they need to balance the needs of the community while not overregulating dispensaries and other marijuana businesses.
• Discussed restricting butterfly and wildflower, or rain gardens, because some residents are using them as an excuse not to mow their grass, which could be a problem if the high grass impedes sightlines on the road for drivers.
• Placed into first reading a resolution asking the Geauga County auditor to certify the total tax valuation and dollar amount of revenue that would be generated by the renewal of an existing tax levy for police services and declaring an emergency.
• Placed into first reading an ordinance setting the salaries and benefits for the newly hired police officers.
• Passed as an emergency measure an ordinance allowing the village to accept the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council 2024 energized community grant.
• Passed as an emergency ordinance accepting the bid of Ronyak Paving for the 2024 resurfacing project in an amount not to exceed $415,344 as the lowest and most responsive bid. Alameda Drive, Standish Avenue and Orchard Avenue are on the 2024 paving list.
•l Passed as an emergency ordinance selecting the bid of Cold Harbor Building Co. for the Well No. 3 project Phase III in an amount not to exceed $1,073,700. This was a rebid on the project as all previous bids came in too high and were rejected.
• Placed into second reading a resolution to make the village archivist act as the designated representative of the village for required public records training.
• Passed as an emergency ordinance accepting the annexation of 25.34 acres from Middlefield Township.
• Passed as an emergency ordinance establishing the boundaries of the village's community reinvestment area and a tax incentive review council.