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Franklin City Council adopts emergency appropriation change, approves tax budget and seeks state funds for SR-123 intersection project
Summary
At its June 15 virtual meeting, Franklin City Council adopted an emergency amendment to city appropriations, approved the tax budget for 2021, authorized staff to apply for Ohio Public Works Commission funds for the State Route 123/Shotwell-Beal intersection reconstruction, and tabled a CARES-related certification pending state guidance.
Franklin City Council voted unanimously June 15 to adopt an emergency amendment to the city's 2020 appropriations, approve the tax budget for fiscal year 2021, and authorize staff to seek state funding for a planned reconstruction of the State Route 123 at Shotwell/Beal Road intersection.
Finance Director Cindy Ryan said the appropriation amendment (Ordinance 2020-09) adjusts three line items: distribution of 30% of a recent law-enforcement property seizure to the county, additional Police Division spending for a new phone and CAD system and other unanticipated costs, and a $30,000 "Other Government" line to consolidate increased cybersecurity expenses tied to the State of Emergency. Council had no questions and adopted the ordinance on a motion by Vice Mayor Todd Hall, seconded by Michael Aldridge.
Ryan also presented Resolution 2020-31, the annual tax budget the city must submit to the Warren County Auditor. She said staff used prior-year actuals and 2020 estimates, projecting 2021 income-tax receipts by carrying forward the 2020 estimate with a modest 1% increase. Ryan said Local Government income projections were lowered and the Motel Tax estimate reduced to reflect roughly four months of pandemic-related inactivity; she said some expense transfers planned for the year also were reduced. Council approved the tax-budget submission on a motion by Paul Ruppert, seconded by Mathew Wilcher.
On a separate item, City Engineer Barry Conway asked council to authorize staff to prepare and submit a pre-application to the Ohio Public Works Commission for Program Year 2022 for the State Route 123 at Shotwell/Beal Road intersection improvement project. Conway described a reconstruction that would remove the existing skewed alignment, replace the Beal Road bridge to accommodate realignment and widening, and install a traffic signal.
Conway said the project's estimated total cost is $2,407,250; the City's share was estimated at $613,333. Staff proposed requesting $363,333 in OPWC assistance, which would reduce the City's share to approximately $250,000. Council approved preparing and submitting the application and executing any required contracts; the motion was made by Denny Centers and seconded by Michael Aldridge.
Council also considered Resolution 2020-32, a certification related to Warren County's distribution of CARES Act funds. Mayor Brent Centers reported that, as of 5:30 PM, the governor had not signed relevant guidance; Law Director Lynnette Dinkler recommended tabling the resolution until state direction is available. The council voted unanimously to table the item on a motion by Michael Aldridge, seconded by Vice Mayor Todd Hall.
The meeting concluded with brief manager and council comments praising reopened parks, the Farmers Market and downtown banner improvements. Council will meet virtually on July 1; staff indicated August 1 as a possible date to resume in-person meetings. The meeting adjourned at 6:23 PM after a motion by Vice Mayor Hall and second by Mr. Aldridge.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2020-09 (appropriation amendment) ' adopted unanimously. Resolution 2020-31 (tax budget) ' adopted unanimously. Resolution 2020-30 (OPWC application for SR-123/Shotwell-Beal) ' adopted unanimously. Resolution 2020-32 (CARES Act certification) ' tabled unanimously.
