Plain City reviews 2025 budget; council directs creation of land-acquisition fund and hears capital project plans

Village Administrator Haley Lupton presented the proposed 2025 budget to the Plain City Council and the Personnel & Finance, CIP Committee on Nov. 18, 2024, outlining expected General Fund revenue, projected transfers and planned capital projects.

Lupton told council that income-tax revenue is in line with projections and that recent regionalization of water and sewer services is reflected in the presented numbers. She noted that planned transfers from the General Fund would direct the largest share to the Police Fund and that the recently passed police levy will help support those transfers and future planning. At council’s direction, staff will begin the formal process to establish a land-acquisition fund; Lupton said the fund will require final approval by the State of Ohio Auditor.

The presentation listed capital projects planned for 2025, including a Depot Plaza, engineering for the Main Street and Chillicothe Street intersection modification (with design expected to precede construction and construction funding to be sought afterward), Maple Street bridge replacement, pedestrian improvements at US‑42 and West Avenue, Uptown crosswalk installations, street repaving, dog park construction, Shepper and Converse Avenue reconstruction, and a Public Works backhoe purchase. Lupton explained that the 0.5% capital portion of the Village’s income tax supports capital expenditures.

On personnel, the proposed 2025 budget includes a 2% cost‑of‑living increase for all staff and a 3% merit-based increase available upon annual evaluation. The budget also includes funding to hire an additional Police Department patrol officer; Chief Dale McKee said academy classes for 2025 may be full but the department will pursue cadet recruitment if necessary. McKee estimated the hiring process for a cadet or commissioned officer at one to four months plus academy training if applicable, and said adding an officer would not require purchase of an extra patrol vehicle.

Lupton also described planned operational initiatives for 2025: updating the comprehensive plan, enhanced cybersecurity measures, purchasing and implementing new income-tax software with an e‑file option for residents, a change in health insurance provider, and funding for a quarterly mailed newsletter to residents. President M. Terry asked staff to provide five-year revenue graphs with overlays showing projected employee and population growth; he also requested proposals showing potential 2025 costs for additional code-enforcement legal support and staffing.

Financial Advisor David Conley and Finance Director Renee' Sonnett discussed long-term financing and prioritization of capital expenditures. Conley suggested the Village might consider, in the future, converting the police levy from a property-tax levy to an income‑tax levy to reduce pressure on the General Fund. Sonnett and Conley also said they had discussed with the Auditor a potential pool-bond restructuring that could shorten the payoff from 2039 to 2032 and reduce interest costs.

The joint meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.; Lupton was asked to present a brief update incorporating the evening’s discussion prior to the first reading of the budget legislation.