Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Elyria Finance Committee advances funds, certifies delinquent accounts and approves year‑end appropriation changes
Summary
The Finance Committee approved certifying 42 delinquent utility accounts totaling $22,920.07 to the Lorain County auditor, authorized disposal of two 2010 sanitation trucks, approved interfund advances to cover grant cash‑flow gaps, and adopted 2025 appropriation amendments and 2026 temporary appropriations including major wastewater and water capital requests.
At its Dec. 8 session, the Elyria Finance Committee approved multiple year‑end fiscal actions to close out 2025 and prepare for 2026.
The committee voted to certify 42 delinquent or inactive utility accounts totaling $22,920.07 to the Lorain County Auditor for collection. Superintendent Connor told the committee the accounts were approved by the Utility Resolution Board the prior week and staff had not received public calls about the additional late‑payment fee.
The committee approved a resolution and ordinance declaring two 2010 sanitation trucks (one with more than ~92,000 miles, the other with ~106,000 miles) unfit for city service and authorized disposal through public auction (GovDeals) to recoup salvage or scrap value.
Director Pilecki requested—and the committee approved—authority to advance up to $50,439 from the General Fund to the Block Grant Fund and up to $120,000 to the SAFER grant fund to prevent negative cash balances until federal/state reimbursements arrive; both advances are to be repaid upon receipt of grant monies. Committee members discussed the timing of reimbursements and an outstanding backlog for SAFER grant reimbursements.
The committee also approved amendments to the 2025 permanent appropriations, including appropriations to cover a one‑year note tied to the Public Works Complex (approximately $21 million) and multiple adjustments across water, sanitation, stormwater, and special revenue funds. Director Pilecki summarized reductions to capital outlays where projects were unencumbered and specific additions for wastewater and water projects.
Finally, the committee adopted temporary appropriations for the first quarter of 2026 set at 33% of the amended 2025 totals. The temporary appropriation package included large capital items requested for wastewater (roughly $17 million including an estimated $11 million activated sludge/aeration project), water construction (about $10.85 million), a $5 million EPA loan/grant for lead service line replacement, and a $2.7 million FBI training facility project (federal funds to reimburse the city). Committee members asked staff to confirm whether FBI work will be reimbursed upfront or on a reimbursement basis.
Next steps: staff will reconcile reimbursements and encumbrances, publish bid or sale notices for disposed equipment, return with auction results and any required follow‑up appropriation authorizations.
