St. Bernard committee adopts Resolution 4 2025 and advances multiple finance measures

The St. Bernard Committee of the Whole on April 10 adopted Resolution 4 2025 and placed several finance-related ordinances on the table ahead of the village council meeting, officials said.

Auditor Brickway summarized a series of additional appropriation requests and new line items the administration plans to present at the next council meeting, including refunds, professional services, equipment leasing and capital improvements. She said two large retaining-wall repairs and other capital work could total “at least $300,000 to $400,000” though firm estimates were not yet available. She also said two large tax refunds will require an appropriation and that cameras for City Hall and mayor’s court are under consideration as part of a professional-services increase.

Why it matters: Council votes this month will decide whether the village funds emergency capital repairs and other midyear needs that Brickway said were not included in last year’s basic operating budget. Approval would use reserves or require additional appropriations and future contract awards.

Officials provided additional financial details and next steps. Treasurer Darenkamp gave March year-to-date totals: expenses $3,588,724.12 and revenues $3,359,698.31. Service and public works items discussed included a $62,000 share for speed cushions on Mitchell Avenue (a joint project led by the city of Cincinnati) and an equipment-leasing line for salt trucks calculated at $6,000 per month. Brickway said she proposed a $500,000 capital improvements line to cover urgent repairs and park work and requested replenishment of an accumulated sick-time line because several retirements are imminent.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 4 2025: Adopted by roll call, 7-0. - Motion to place an additional-appropriation ordinance (new line items) on the table for the next council meeting: Motion made by Schultmeyer, seconded by Morton; passed by voice vote. - Motion to place a resolution supporting energy aggregation on the table (to authorize mayor to sign a no-cost service agreement with Energy Alliances): Motion made by Morton, seconded by Suchl; passed by voice vote. - Motion to place the Greenlee Avenue project contract ordinance on the table (anticipating bid award): Motion made by Gustuchel, seconded by Morton; passed by voice vote.

On the special-council agenda, the committee placed Resolution 4 2025 on the floor and later adopted it by a 7-0 roll-call vote. Clerk roll call recorded seven ayes and no nays; the resolution was declared adopted "as read." The transcript did not specify the substance of Resolution 4 2025 beyond its placement and adoption during the special meeting.

Officials said additional appropriation ordinances with specific line-item amounts and contract awards will return to council for formal enactment. Auditor Brickway said she will present more complete estimates and bring contract approvals to council when bids and cost figures are final.

Quotes (selected): "We are getting hit with them big time," Auditor Brickway said of unbudgeted expenses, noting the prior budget was "very basic." She added that reserve funds exist to address these kinds of unplanned maintenance and capital needs.

What’s next: The committee placed the listed ordinances and the resolution on the table for the next council meeting (April 24). Administration staff will provide formal appropriations ordinances, contract documents and estimates for council consideration.