City manager reports finalized sidewalk assessment, certified audit and other city updates

City Manager John reported several operational updates at the May 15 Huber Heights City Council meeting, including the final cost to property owners for the 2025 sidewalk program, audit certification, road closures for a state project and improvements in tax office electronic filings.

John told the council the 2025 sidewalk program is complete and that the final cost to property owners is $114,472.66. He said the city received notice that ODOT will close the westbound I-70 to northbound I-235 ramp from May 19 to May 23 for exit-widening work, and that Riprap (a local roadway) remains closed for well testing required by the Ohio EPA and is expected to reopen by the following Wednesday if testing completes early.

On finance matters, John said the auditor of state completed a desk review of the city’s 2023 audit and certified the report with no modifications. He credited finance staff for their work in responding to delays related to a prior cyber attack and said the city expects to file the 2024 audit by June. John also reported a 235% increase in electronic tax filings this season and that, working with the Ohio Attorney General’s office since 2020, the city has collected $1,078,655 in delinquent collections.

John also announced community items: registration was open for the Star Spangled Heights artists and makers market (with a few spots remaining), a community garage sale scheduled June 12–15 (sign-up by 5 p.m. June 9 to be included on the city list), a Memorial Day ceremony at 4 p.m. at Thomas Cloud Park on May 26, and a Juneteenth festival on June 15 at Ikelburner from 4–9 p.m. He said the police division is accepting applications for the Safety Town program for incoming kindergarteners.

Council members had no additional questions after John’s report.