Finance committee recommends 30% cut to streetlight assessment, backs 0.4‑mill police‑pension increase

The Maumee finance committee voted to recommend that the city council reduce the streetlight assessment rate by 30% and increase the police pension levy by 0.4 mills, with staff saying the two separate actions together will realign revenue with the services provided while keeping a neutral impact for most residents.

Jennifer, a finance staff member, told the committee the change would focus capital spending on maintaining the lights the city already owns rather than expanding the system and that the reduction still leaves room for operations and ongoing capital maintenance. "The proposal is to decrease the streetlight rate assessment by 30% because we have, had an opportunity to reevaluate the capital program for streetlights and focus on what we currently own and and maintaining those streetlights rather than adding additional streetlights to our inventory at this point," she said.

Jennifer also said the committee tested impacts on a sample of parcels. "I pulled a sample of about 60 parcels ... and the average of that impact to residentials was a decrease of $2.57 or, 67¢," she said. Committee members sought assurances that the lower rate would not leave the fund unable to repair lights; Jennifer pointed to a five‑year forecast that shows an estimated healthy ending fund balance.

Committee member S4 moved the recommendation and S2 seconded. The group clarified that council will consider the streetlight ordinance at its Aug. 17 meeting and that the police‑pension adjustment is a separate recommendation. The committee recorded roll‑call support and recommended both actions to the full council.