First Posted: 2/7/2015
LIMA — Lima City Council will vote on authorizing the city’s 2015 budget during Monday’s meeting, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Lima Municipal Building.
The $30.2 million general fund closely resembles the $29.7 million budget proposal the city’s finance committee was presented last month. One of the additions comes from the approval of funding for a community-oriented policing initiative proposed by Lima Police Chief Kevin Martin, who requested an additional $226,000 to fund three new officer positions and a new sergeant position, as well as equipment for the community police substations.
“Residents appreciate that personal touch,” 4th Ward Councilman Tom Tebben said during the finance committee meetings. “We have to commit to a long-term strategy of supporting this.”
Additional funding includes $14.5 million for the water fund and $12.3 million for the city’s sewer fund, with the city facing increased expenses related to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency consent decree to overhaul the city’s sanitary sewer overflow and wastewater treatment, a $150 million project to be completed during the next 24 years.
Along with the $2.7 million refuse fund and other miscellaneous line items, the total amount of all funds for the 2015 budget is expected to reach about $89.4 million. A complete listing of each item of the budget can be found in part 1 of the docket for Monday’s meeting agenda at the City Council agenda center page at http://cityhall.lima.oh.us.
Additional items on the meeting agenda include Bob Horton having privilege of the floor to comment on pinpoint and community-oriented policing, Lima Police Maj. Jim Baker and Lima Fire Inspector Chris Jackson giving a report on comunity outreach, and Mayor David Berger giving an update on the Citizens Review Board process.
