Plain City council reviews supplemental budget linked to Maple Street bridge grant, parks projects and clarifies police part-time wage scale

Finance Director Renee Sona told the Plain City Council on March 25 that a supplemental appropriation ordinance was being introduced at first reading to incorporate additional grant funding tied to the Maple Street bridge replacement and to adjust several departmental appropriations.

Why it matters: The supplemental appropriation would authorize spending for grant-funded capital work and local match items; because it was introduced at first reading, council postponed final appropriation and will consider a second reading at a future meeting.

Key details from the discussion - Additional grant funding: Sona reported the village received extra grant funds for the Maple Street bridge replacement project that increase the appropriation by about $150,000 (figure cited in the meeting). The funding is associated with the village’s participation in the Ohio Department of Transportation project. - Comprehensive plan: Funding for the citywide comprehensive plan update was increased in the supplemental request; staff indicated the city is preparing to kick off the update soon. - Wayfinding signage: The council appropriated funds for Union County Tourism Board wayfinding signage to be completed this year. - Sheppard Commerce Avenue: Engineering costs are higher than expected for Sheppard Commerce Avenue; staff said the city expects to recover costs through an Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) grant later in the year. - Kaiser Field: Council approved additional appropriations to replace bleachers at Kaiser Field and discussed adding approximately $15,000 for new asphalt around that single field while the bleachers are removed. A local business association (referred to in the meeting as PCABA) contributed to a portion of the bleachers; staff said the work will help make the facility more handicap accessible. - Timing: Staff reported the paving contractor could tentatively schedule work in April; council said final authorization would follow formal appropriation at the next council meeting so work would take place before the May 3 practice/opening day if timing permits.

Police wage-scale correction Chief McKee explained the police department’s part-time pay scale was left out when the department’s pay scale was updated in 2024 and remained a step behind after the January update. He said the change is an administrative correction to align part-time pay so that part-time officers’ top step matches full-time starting pay. McKee said the correction will not change the overall budgeted dollars for the department.

Process and next steps Because the supplemental appropriation was read for the first time, the council did not adopt the ordinance on March 25. Staff requested a second reading and adoption at the next council meeting once council has a full board present. If adopted, staff will schedule the Kaiser Field paving and proceed with projects tied to the Maple Street bridge and comprehensive plan update.