Southeast Messenger - November 4th, 2018

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November 4, 2018 - SOUTHEAST MESSENGER - PAGE 7
Projects highlight proposed 2019 Groveport budget
By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
A variety of proposed projects highlight
the city of Groveport’s proposed 2019 budget.
The general fund revenue for 2019 is
estimated at $16.1 million, which is up
from the estimated $15.9 million in 2018.
The bulk of this funding comes from
Income tax revenue, which is projected to
be $14.54 million in 2019 compared to
$14.50 million in 2018.
Other revenues include $350,000 from
property taxes and various amounts in
other city fund categories that include
grants, taxes, fees, and permits.
“Although the budgeted numbers for the
general fund represent no increase in
income tax revenue, the 2019 appropriations
budget still maintains progress
toward several city council objectives:
increasing the balance in the rainy day
fund, increasing the general fund balance
by another 20 percent, and setting aside 20
percent of all income tax collection for debt
service,” wrote Groveport City
Administrator Marsha Hall in her budget
report to Groveport City Council.
The rainy day fund reached $1.5 million
in 2018 and is expected to rise to $1.6 million
in 2019 with the goal of reaching $2
million in the next few years.
Proposed projects
Projects proposed in the 2019 budget
are:
•East Bixby Road pavement rehabilitation
(from near Ebright Road to U.S. 33),
$348,000 from street fund and $92,000
from storm water fund;
•West Main Street curb ramps, $34,000;
•Annual street maintenance program,
$450,000 from street fund and $105,000
from storm water fund.
Includes resurfacing work on Main
Street from College Street to Front Street
(which was reconstructed in 1989-90) and
on Main Street from Front Street east
(which was reconstructed in 2003) to a
point near the Groveport Recreation
Center. Other streets to be included for
work in 2019 and beyond are still to be
determined.
•Hamilton Road/Firehouse Lane traffic
signal upgrade, $542,000 total grant project,
local match of $68,100 from street
fund;
•Generator for Bixford pump station,
$75,000;
•Sanitary sewer force main replacements,
$50,000;
•Master Parks Plan review, emphasizing
Groveport Park, $40,000;
•Bixford Green bike/pedestrian path,
$180,000 from parks fund. The project
involves the construction of an 860 to 920
“Although the budgeted numbers for the
general fund represent no increase in
income tax revenue, the 2019 appropriations
budget still maintains progress toward several
city council objectives: increasing the balance
in the rainy day fund, increasing the
general fund balance by another 20 percent,
and setting aside 20 percent of all income
tax collection for debt service.”
- Marsha Hall
City administrator
foot Bixford Green shared-use path to connect
the Bixford Green subdivision to the
Blacklick Creek Greenways Trail in Three
Creeks Metro Park.
Hall announced the city received a
$70,782 Ohio NatureWorks grant that will
help fund the construction of the path. Hall
said the Ohio NatureWorks grant funds
can only be used to help fund construction
of the portion of the path that is not on
Metro Parks property.
•Neighborhood parks development,
$75,000; and
•Sidewalk replacements, $50,000.
Proposed purchases
The city plans to make the following
purchases in 2019:
•Replacement of front entrance barn at
The Links golf course, $250,000;
•Two police cruisers to replace two 2008
cruisers, $120,000;
•Banquet room air conditioning at The
Links golf course, $100,000;
•Additional leaf vacuum, $96,000. (It is
noted in the budget this is required
because after Kurtz Brothers moved from
the area the time and cost of transporting
leaves has “increased dramatically.” The
new system will have a larger capacity for
hauling leaves.)
•17 police body cameras, $74,314;
•Starcraft Allstar 12+2 vehicle for
transportation department, $62,200;
•Ventilation system for filtration room
at the indoor pool at the Groveport
Recreation Center, $42,170;
•Replace windows at municipal building,
$40,000;
•Replacement truck for the facilities
department, $30,000; and
•Replacement fence at KidSpace,
$6,000.
Other budget highlights
The proposed 2019 general fund appropriations
are estimated at $18.4 million,
which is down from $18.6 million in 2018.
Funding for festivals in 2019 includes
$50,000 for the Fourth of July, $18,650 for
the Christmas - A Heritage Holiday, and
$16,000 for Apple Butter Day.
Council will vote on the 2019 budget at
its Nov. 13 meeting.
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