Council approves fourth-quarter supplemental appropriations, includes Woodman Drive repaving

Riverside City Council voted to approve Ordinance 25-0873 on Monday, a fourth-quarter supplemental appropriations measure that recognizes state grant funding for the Woodman Drive project, authorizes equipment purchases and funds additional paving work.

Staff described the auditor’s recommendation that the city book both state grant revenue and the associated expenses so the city’s books reflect asset appreciation from work done on city-owned roads. Staff also outlined an opportunity, coordinated with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), to shave and repave Woodman Drive up to the Burkhart intersection while the contractor is mobilized for the larger Woodman reconstruction project. "That cost is about $520,000 and we would also need about 10% additional, so about 50,000" for the engineering drawings, staff said.

Council members discussed where the supplemental would draw funds and staff said the capital infrastructure fund holds roughly $700,000 and the capital equipment fund about $200,000; using those balances would cover much of the proposed work. Council debated auditor preferences for project-specific funds versus longstanding capital funds and whether project accounting in the city’s ERP system could reduce administrative burden.

After discussion, the clerk called the roll; all members voted "Yes," and the ordinance carried. Staff said this supplemental will position the city to complete the additional paving with lower mobilization costs than a separate contract, should the project proceed.