Township warns of near-term budget shortfalls, approves TIF and paving actions; invests funds to preserve yield

Fairfield Township officials told trustees on Nov. 12 that the township will face cash shortfalls in several operational funds before the next major tax receipts and outlined contingency transfers and pacing for 2026 spending.

Short-term cash needs and transfers: Township staff reported specific shortfalls: payroll funding gaps of about $262,325.29 across multiple funds, a shortfall in retirement/OPF contributions of roughly $70,768.17, and an estimated workers' compensation shortfall of $33,650.48. Administrator Miss Lipinski said staff would first move available balances between line items and funds where legally permissible and conserve spending; if overtime or unexpected costs exceed projections, trustees said they may need to authorize transfers from the general fund (a formal approval would be required). Trustees and staff repeatedly emphasized the constraints of fund accounting and that many special-revenue funds are legally restricted to their intended uses.

TIF, revenues and appropriations: The board adopted Resolution 25-141 to amend 2025 revenues and appropriations after Seward-area tax increment financing receipts came in higher than budgeted (roughly $1.5 million received). That additional revenue triggered larger development-agreement payments and school reimbursements; staff described the payment as a development agreement obligation rather than a direct bond debt payment and adjusted appropriations accordingly.

Roads, curb-and-gutter and paving: Trustees authorized the township administrator to advertise the 2026 curb-and-gutter replacement program (Resolution to advertise approved) and later adopted Resolution 25-144 designating a paving list (Jamie Drive, Weathered Oaks streets and restriping items) for bid with a cost not to exceed $372,627.87 to be certified for Butler County Engineer funding. Staff discussed using Princeton Road TIF funds (~$150,000 estimate) to accelerate curb-and-gutter work where possible but warned that overall road funding remains constrained.

Cash management and capital items: Trustees approved Resolution 25-140 authorizing short-term investments of up to $4,000,000 with Huntington Bank (flexible maturities up to one year) to earn higher yields on idle cash. The board also approved a small capital purchase (Resolution 25-147) to replace seven end-of-life computers (total $9,719.90) after Microsoft discontinued support for Windows 10 on some older machines.

Vote and next steps: Multiple resolutions related to TIF appropriations, investments, curb-and-gutter advertisement and paving were adopted by roll call with unanimous trustee votes. Staff will follow up with more precise appropriation details, timetable for curb-and-gutter bidding, and reporting on investment maturities.