Council accepts $700,000 donation for Basel Memorial Cemetery fund; council creates special revenue account

Baltimore Village council on Monday approved a resolution to accept a $700,000 donation designated to support maintenance and upkeep of Basel Memorial Cemetery, excluding the mausoleum, and moved to create a special revenue fund to hold and account for the gift.

Fiscal statements presented during the meeting indicated the donation has been received. The council’s resolution creates a restricted fund so the village can record the gift separately and, if it wishes to expend any portion of the donation this year, develop a budget that council must approve.

Fiscal staff told the council they consulted the Ohio State Auditor’s office to confirm the correct fund classification and reporting approach. One village finance speaker explained that the money “is to maintain and upkeep the Basel Memorial Cemetery except for the Mausoleum,” and said staff will return with a proposed spending plan should the council decide to use any of the funds in the current fiscal year.

Council approved the resolution under emergency language so the village could establish the account and complete required accounting steps; no specific expenditures were approved during the meeting. Council members asked that the administration prepare a draft budget and policy defining allowable uses before any spending occurs.

Council members voted affirmatively on the measure. Staff noted that while the fund exists to receive the donation immediately, any disbursement will follow normal budgetary procedures, including council approval and, if required, publication and oversight by the state auditor.