Madison Messenger - November 17th, 2019

www.madisonmessengernews.com November 17, 2019 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 3
Survey asks public what to do with grandstand
By Kristy Zurbrick
Madison Editor
What do you think should be done with
the aging grandstand at the Madison
County Fairgrounds? Madison County leaders
want to know.
The county commissioners have posted a
public opinion survey under “recent news”
at www.co.madison.oh.us/. Anyone is welcome
to fill it out.
The goal with the survey, said county Administrator
Rob Slane, is to see what people
think about the cost benefits of repairing or
replacing the grandstand, as well as their
ideas for how it could be used.
Earlier this year, an engineering firm in-
The interior structural supports of the
grandstand are in good shape. The wood
on the exterior and perimeter is not.
London works on budget
By Andrew Garrett
Staff Writer
London city council held the first reading
on the city’s proposed 2020 operating budget
at it Nov. 7 meeting.
The proposed budget is a deficit budget
and, at least on paper, will put the city in
the red by approximately $763,000 after figuring
in expected revenues.
The city estimates next year’s operating
expenses will total in excess of $4.4 million.
This includes an average 4.45 percent increase
in spending across all departments.
Operating expenses include such things as
employee salaries, insurance benefits, retirement
benefits, supplies and utilities.
Council will hold a second reading on the
budget legislation at their Nov. 21 meeting.
In the meantime, city leaders will discuss
the budget further in an upcoming finance
committee meeting.
Mayor Pat Closser and Safety Service Director
Joe Mosier stressed that while it is a
deficit budget, that does not mean there will
be deficit spending. According to Closser,
every budget for the last nine years he has
been associated with city government has
had a proposed deficit.
“It is a deficit budget as many government
budgets are. We have always had a
deficit budget but have never deficit spent,”
he said. “We overestimate expenses and underestimate
revenue. My administration
keeps a watchful eye on the budget, and this
spected the grandstand and found it to be
unsafe for occupancy. It was off-limits at
this year’s county fair.
The all-wood structure likely dates back
to the 1870s. While its interior structural
supports are in great shape, much of the
perimeter wood has suffered significant deterioration.
The engineering firm and an architectural
firm, both hired by the commissioners,
put together options and cost estimates.
The estimated cost to repair the grandstand
is $518,400. The estimated cost to demolish
it and replace it with a conventional
bleacher system is $270,750.
At the commissioners’ Nov. 11 meeting,
Dave Monnin, a member of the Madison
County Agricultural Society (senior fair
board) said he likes the idea of the survey
and wants to see the commissioners and the
Ag Society work together to figure out a solution.
“Can it be fixed? I’m sure it could be, but
is it worth it? I don’t know,” Monnin said,
adding that he would like to see a decision
made relatively soon. “I hate the idea of it
being closed for another fair.”
The structure’s historical value has been
part of many conversations, as has its usefulness.
“I’m a history buff, but I wonder, (if it is
repaired) will it be used or will it just sit
there?” said Commissioner Mark Forrest.
Commissioner Tony Xenikis said he will
not support a large investment in repairs to
year is no different regarding spending tax
dollars effectively and efficiently.”
Also left on for another reading was legislation
that calls for an increase in pay
ranges for employees of the city’s parks and
recreation department. Josh Rice, local
chapter president of the AFSCME union,
was on hand again to express his concerns.
Rice said certain positions in the parks
and recreation department are doing work
previously done by the street department
which is manned entirely by union members.
By extension, Rice contends that those
positions should be made bargaining unit
positions.
Administration and council members disagreed,
saying such concerns should have
been addressed when the parks and recreation
positions were initially separated from
the street department. The window to contest
has long been closed, they said.
In other business, council passed an
amendment to the official zoning map, allowing
rezoning of the former Kmart property
on Lafayette Street from a business
district to a planned unit development.
Council also approved a $5,000 payment
to Heritage Ohio to provide recommendations
on how to improve downtown London
and link up with the organization for other
benefits.
Finally, council voted to vacate an alley
running from North Oak Street through
North Madison Road.
Last summer, the grandstand at the Madison County Fairground was declared off-limits
after an engineering firm found it to be unsafe to occupy. County leaders are trying to
decide what to do with it.
the grandstand.
“I want the most cost-effective answer
that will still satisfy what needs to be done,”
he said. “There’s that saying, ‘You can put
lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.’ Sometimes,
things outlive their usefulness.”
According to Slane, there is no plan in
place at this time for how any repairs or replacement
would be funded or by whom. In
recent years, the county provided matching
public funds to private donations the Ag Society
raised for new buildings at the
grounds.
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