City Council Report

By Dottie McGrew

2008 BUDGET
A $35.9 million budget for 2008 is expected to be in place by Feb. 1. Council in December approved a three-month interim budget, allowing the administration and council to factor actual 2007 revenue and expenses into the 2008 budget. Actual figures, rather than projected, were critical to the development of an accurate 2008 budget.

In 2007, the General Fund benefited from cost saving measures introduced by the city as well as higher than anticipated income tax revenue from lump sum payments to Hoover employees, Finance Director Julie Herr said. She noted that more employees than expected took the lump sum option over monthly payments. The revenue provided a cushion for the 2008 budget. That cushion will not be available next year. Herr is projecting an $800,000 budget shortfall in 2009.

PREPARATION FOR 2009 BUDGET SHORTFALL
Council has commissioned one study by an independent consultant and is considering another in an effort to make sure the city is running a tight ship.

Former Canton City Service Director Joseph Concatto in January launched a review of the operations of the city’s Fire and EMS Department. Concatto, a former Canton fire chief, is expected to complete his study by mid-February. He is being paid $45 per hour from Community and Economic Development funds.

Council is considering asking the Auditor of State to conduct a review of all other city departments. Council President Daryl Revoldt, City Administrator E. J. Wise Jr. and Finance Director Herr have met with representatives of the Auditor’s office to discuss the scope of the study.

But Council will have to weigh the cost of the study, estimated at between $70,000 and $80,000, against the benefits.

The study would consist of interviews with city employees and observations by the State Auditor’s office. Information gathered would form the basis of a report. Findings from the North Canton study then would be compared to information gathered from comparable municipalities in Ohio.

Council would have the complete report by September. Revoldt had hoped for May or June.

“There is no right or wrong here,” Revoldt said. “It’s a management tool. The report will identify what North Canton does well. It will also point out areas where other communities may be performing better. We can’t run a city in the red. We are trying to make sure that, when council and the administration act, we act in concert and our actions are measured and studied.”

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO RESIGN
Council will launch a search for a new city finance director to replace Julie Herr who plans to leave the post she has held for 17 years. Herr and her family will move to the Chicago area where her husband has accepted a new position. For more information on the position, phone the council office at 330-499-3986.

IN OTHER BUSINESS
Council unanimously approved the appointment of YMCA Associate Executive Director Debbie Goldthorpe to the North Canton Civil Service Commission. Goldthorpe’s community activities include, among many others, the local Chamber of Commerce and the city Parks and Recreation Committee.

TEST FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT DISPATCHER
A Civil Service Test for the position of Police Department dispatcher is scheduled for Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. at the North Canton Civic Center, 845 W. Maple St. Candidates can apply in person at the Civil Service Commission office in North Canton City Hall, 145 North Main St. Registration opens on Feb. 4 at 8:30 a.m. and closes Feb. 14 at 4 p.m.