Athens City Council reviews $500K budget for new pumper truck and art projects

The Athens City Council convened on June 2, 2025, to address several pressing issues, including budget appropriations, project approvals, and staffing changes. The meeting began with discussions surrounding a $500,000 appropriation, with council members expressing concerns about its intended use and potential overspending on unidentified projects.

Member Wood raised significant concerns regarding the administration's decision to undertake $200,000 worth of projects without prior council approval. This led to a request for clarity on the decision-making process that allowed these additional expenses to be incurred. The Service Safety Director acknowledged that the situation stemmed from an oversight amid multiple ongoing projects, including significant change orders for a fitness court, an art walk, and an expansion of parking facilities. He emphasized that the city had also been a victim of a $722,000 scam, which contributed to the confusion and mismanagement of funds.

Further discussions revealed that the art walk project had exceeded its budget, with an additional $63,000 required beyond the previously allocated 1% for art purchases mandated by an earlier ordinance. Member Swank highlighted that the city's contribution to the sports court project was $192,000, contrary to earlier expectations of receiving grant funding.

The council then moved on to Ordinance 64-25, which proposed amendments to staffing levels in the mayor's office. The ordinance included the introduction of a new position titled Community Engagement and Accessibility Coordinator, replacing the previous General Mayor DEI/Training Coordinator role. Member Spieltjes voiced strong support for this new position, citing the need for enhanced community engagement, especially in light of reduced DEI programming from Ohio University.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the impact of a $27,000 transfer from the fire department budget, which was clarified to affect supplies rather than personnel. The Service Safety Director noted that the city would not pursue maintaining additional firefighter positions previously funded by a FEMA grant, following the failure of an income tax levy.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to transparency and accountability in financial matters while addressing the need for effective community engagement and resource management. The council plans to follow up on these discussions in future meetings to ensure clarity and proper oversight of city projects and budgets.