During the Feb.13 Galion City Council meeting, Mayor Tom O’Leary shared with members in his comments that the council should be looking ahead to what he called “major decisions.”
In the utilities update, council member Mike Richart disclosed that there would be a slight increase in the power cost adjustment (PCA). This change is anticipated to result in an increase of approximately 55¢ for households consuming around 750 kilowatt-hours monthly, with slight variations depending on individual electricity consumption.
Council member Cathy George voiced concerns about the financial strain on residents. She remarked, “I know the economy and people are stretched – their budgets are tight … but it sounds like the adjustment is going to be very low.” Other council members echoed similar sentiments, noting that the city has not had to raise the PCA in quite some time.
“Our unit cost of power is pretty good, relatively speaking,” O’Leary said.
During the elected official reports, O’Leary pointed out some budgetary changes that may need to be made in the coming year, such as increasing revenue in the water and sewer fund.
“I don’t think it makes sense to raise water rates and keep sewer rates where they’re at,” he said. “I don’t think it’s right to deplete the general fund balance that we worked real hard to build up, to deplete that because we won’t adjust water and sewer revenue to meet the costs of running a water and sewer plant.”
O’Leary continued that he agreed with the sentiment of keeping costs low for residents, but emphasized the need to match the city’s expenses. He reiterated that the city’s funds were not in trouble, but the council should look to the future to ensure that a lack of funds would not one day be an issue.
In earlier business, the council also passed several ordinances presented at the meeting earlier this month, including ordinance 2024-6 which will allow Safety Service Director Nicole Ward to receive bids for resurfacing the new pickleball court.
David Zak, a representative from the Crawford Partnership – a nonprofit for economic and community development – briefed the council on its progress in the county last year and its plans for the upcoming year. Zak shared the organization’s predictions of increased job growth over the next three years, and its plans to make sure local youth are aware of jobs available to them as they move into the workforce.
Hannah Bryan is a correspondent for the Galion Inquirer. She can be reached at [email protected].
