MOUNT VERNON — In its last session of the year, City Council passed several financial housekeeping measures, paying bills, transferring funds and making supplemental appropriations.
Appropriations include a $11,296.25 refund from the Ohio Department of Transportation on a paving project and $16,125 from a Victim’s Advocate Grant for October through December.
Transfers include $101,313 and $306,881 from various accounts into the fire and police payroll accounts, respectively. Auditor Terry Scott ordered a freeze last week on spending from the general fund in order to make certain there was enough money to meet year-end payroll. Council members knew that those accounts were underfunded in order to balance the budget, but council did not have to borrow money to meet its obligations as Scott once thought might be the case.
Council passed interim budget appropriations of $4.8 million to get the city through January and February 2018. Scott said the $4.8 million is down from $6.3 million in 2017 with the difference being capital improvements. That line item will be left unfunded until budget meetings begin on Jan. 20 at 8:30 a.m.
In other business, council confirmed the appointment of Susan Kahrl to the Shade Tree and Beautification Commission and approved a change in the way the city’s bed tax is distributed:
- Heritage Centre Association/Main Street Mount Vernon 30%
- Woodward Development Corp. 20% (down from 25%)
- Convention & Visitors Bureau 20%
- Foundation Park Conservancy 5% (replaces Knox County Landmarks Association)
- Petition Fund 10% (up from 5%)
- Mount Vernon Parking Co. 10%
- City 5%
Council members and the administration also bid farewell to 68 years of collective experience. Wednesday’s meeting was the last for Council Members John Booth, John Fair and Susan Kahrl, and City Treasurer Anton “Bud” Krutsch. Mayor Richard Mavis presented each a proclamation in honor of their years of service to the city.
Booth served 37.5 years as ward councilman, president and at-large councilman. He chaired the utilities and finance and budget committees and co-chaired the cemetery, parks and recreation, streets and public buildings committees. He served as a member on a number of other committees.
Projects completed during his tenure included Mount Vernon Avenue, Yauger Road, the new water treatment plant and fire station, and the city’s water park. Booth noted one accomplishment during his time on council is the saving of the bowstring truss bridge in Ariel-Foundation Park.
Scott said that Booth has always been forward thinking, and the city has prospered because of it.
Fair took office in January 2000 as Fourth Ward council member. Re-elected eight times, he served as chairman of the Streets & Public Buildings Committee and co-chairman of Fire, Police and Civil Defense. He served on the utility and planning and zoning committees. He will be remembered as a staunch advocate of saving the city’s brick streets.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time. I’ve really enjoyed the people,” said Fair. “I can honestly say I have never had a bad day; I think that’s because we always get along. The pleasure is all mine.”
Serving six years as an at-large council member, Kahrl chaired the Parks and Lands Committee and co-chaired the Employee and Community Relations Committee. She served on the streets and public buildings and fire, police and civil defense committees, and served as council’s representative to the Heritage Centre Association/Main Street Mount Vernon and Ariel-Foundation Park Board. Council President Bruce Hawkins told Kahrl he appreciated her passion.
“It’s been wonderful to witness firsthand the progress made in the city just in the last six years,” said Kahrl. Citing sidewalks, tennis courts, a full-time property maintenance officer, tree plantings and the Grand Hotel as a few of the projects that came to fruition, Kahrl said she’s excited as she looks forward to the future. She added that these projects reinforce that it was the right decision to accept her first teaching position and move to the city in 1977.
Krutsch served 5.5 years as city treasurer. Appointed in July 2012, he was elected and served a four-year term from 2014 to 2017. Law Director Rob Broeren said that he’s not sure anyone fully understands the magnitude of the job Krutsch did as treasurer.
When Krutsch took over, the backlog of residents with delinquent taxes dated back to the mid-2000s. Many had seven- to nine-year histories of delinquency. “He went and cleaned up that mess,” said Broeren. “That was a significant undertaking and I appreciate that he’s been able to bring in a significant amount of money into the city.”
Krutsch credits his success to his staff in the tax department. “I need to acknowledge them in making me look good,” he said.
Prior to the meeting, Municipal Judge John Thatcher administered the oath of office to the 2018 council members.
