City Reports $400K in Stormwater Bills and Increased Income Tax Revenue

The Fostoria City Finance Committee meeting on July 15, 2025, highlighted significant developments in the city's financial status, particularly regarding emergency action plans for stormwater management and revenue trends.

During the meeting, officials discussed the ongoing commitment of funds towards emergency action plans for stormwater, indicating that nearly $400,000 in payables is expected soon. This surge in financial activity is typical for this time of year, reflecting the city's proactive approach to infrastructure management.

On the revenue side, a four-page summary revealed that overall revenues are performing better than anticipated. Notably, income tax revenue has increased by 6.5% year-to-date through June, a positive sign for the city's financial health. The water fund is also showing improvement, attributed to recent rate increases that took effect in July and January. These adjustments follow a period of a year and a half without any rate hikes, which has led to a temporary spike in revenue figures.

However, the sewer revenue fund has encountered some discrepancies due to a software upgrade last August. The upgrade has affected billing processes, causing stormwater and water compliance fees to be incorrectly recorded in the sewer fund. City officials are working with their software provider to rectify this issue, estimating that approximately $150,000 needs to be transferred from the sewer fund back to the stormwater fund.

In summary, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to improving its stormwater management while also reporting positive trends in revenue, despite some challenges with billing accuracy. The Finance Committee will continue to monitor these developments closely as they move forward.