At the November 7 meeting, Holland village council approved the budget for 2024.
Appropriations for 2024 total $6.7 million with the general fund representing the largest portion at $4.5 million.
Funds also were appropriated for: streets, $752,965; police training, $2,510, and American rescue act, $127,345.
Allocated for the capital project fund was $402,120; State Issue 2, $889,150, and park capital, $20,000.
Councilman Roger Burditt, chair of the budget committee, noted the budget is $286,750 over the anticipated revenues.
“We have two choices. Send it back to committee for cuts or take money from the rainy day fund,” he said.
Council opted for the latter. Ryan Spangler, council president, pointed out there are a number of needed purchases for police and maintenance in 2024.
In addition, he said the projected revenue for 2024 is low and will likely be higher.
Councilman Scott Brown agreed, “Usually we over budget for expenditures and under estimate revenues.”
He believes taking from the rainy day fund is a good idea and any excess can be returned to the account at the end of 2024. “I’m confident we will come in with a surplus,” Mr. Brown added.
Councilman Mike Bettinger commended Mr. Burditt for his work on the budget. “I think you did a good job. You worked hard to keep it balanced, and that’s what we are here for,” he said.
Mayor Lee Irons added that the village’s rainy day fund is very healthy. “We are in a very favorable resource position.”
Police Dept. Update Police Lieutenant Jim Piotrowksi provided council with an update on the department, which sustained flooding in early October when a second floor pipe burst, sending water down throughout the first floor where offices are located.
The lieutenant said the records assistant has been moved to the administrative building while repairs are made, and officers have been relocated to the second floor of the police station.
He noted they looked into adding insulation as part of the repair and to help keep the problem from happening again, but due to the building’s structure, they can’t use foam insulation.
Lyn Krasula, clerk/treasurer said the village also was advised that blown-in insulation can’t be installed in the walls either.
Councilman Mike Bettinger agreed noting that the space between the brick and block acts as a barrier for air and if they insulate the building, “we will end up with a mold problem.”
Mr. Bettinger recommended insulating the roof more.
Other Business
In other business, council:
•Renewed health insurance through Medical Mutual at a cost of $28,468 per month.
•Renewed the police departments’ annual agreement with the Northwest Ohio Regional Information System (NORIS) for $11,800.
Council also approved renewal of the department’s scheduling software at a cost of $2,596.
NORIS maintains criminal histories on 700,000 offenders and offers online access to active local warrants, protection orders, mugshots, criminal histories and court, jail and police records.
•Decided to hold one meeting in December due to the holidays. The meeting will be held on the second Tuesday, December 12 in council chambers.
•Announced that in this round of interviews for the administrator position, the hiring committee received seven resumes and planned to interview five over the next week with the hope of selecting a new administrator in the next few weeks.
Councilman Spangler also noted the village has an opening for a maintenance worker Village council’s next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 21 in council chambers 1245 Clarion Avenue, and is open to the public.
